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Messages - Planobilly

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1
Hi Gary,

I agree with you about using a CAM program. Why things are done in this shop manually is beyond my understanding. But like I said "it is what it is".

Technology in every field is advancing. I have a very well designed autopilot in my airplane. The autopilot can fly the plane with greater precision than I can hand fly the plane, until it fails.... At that point I have the requirement to fly the plane manually, well, or crash the plane and die!!...lol

It is unlikely that "crashing" a CNC machine is going to get anyone killed or seriously injured. I do think it is prudent for a machine operator to understand the code being being generated by what ever method.

The more complex the part the greater the need for high quality CAD/CAM software. In fact, the part does not have to be very complex for it to be impossible to machine by hand and next to impossible to program manually.  Software exist that does a very good job at  complex part making. That same software is not very easy to use to do simple things. Solid Works and Master CAM come to mind.

I have no desire to plow "my" garden with a water buffalo but they are in constant use in many parts of the world and to this day produce millions of tons of food.

Sometimes businesses do well in spite of their lack of ability to adopt best practices and modern methods.

Cheers,

Billy  

2
EDIT: Just so you know, six weeks ago I did not know how to spell G Code...LOL I am into a serious learning curve. I am retired and have no need to work and all this is just something that interest me. The machine shop I work at is just a fun place for me to pass time at. Yes, I actually do things there that are useful to the owners, but it is not a real job for me. All the code they run is manually programmed...kinda crazy but it is what it is. I understand trig and geometry well enough to muddle through it so that helps.

A larger issue I am having is the use of I and J. I can make it work some times and at others I get totally lost!!...LOL It is a critical part of learning G Code, especially if one need to do much mirroring. The quadrant issues are required understanding to make all this work. Well...poco a poco as we say here in Miami. 

3
Thanks guys,

This is  not a real part. I just drew this to teach myself about the issues revolving around radius and offset issues. And secondly, I am trying to set up Mach3 to work in the same manner as a Fagor controller I have on a large machine. Well, to the extent I can. I work at a machine shop that has several Haas and other brands of CNC machines. One thing I learned pretty quick is there is not much in the way of standards when it comes to CNC machines.

Also, no matter where the code is generated, I want to know where the damn cutter is going when I push the Cycle Start button!!...LOL

As for the CAM issue, I have access to Solid Works  and MasterCam. I am only doing all this to actually understand G Code well, and see how Mach3 handles the code.

Thanks for the full stop idea Gary. I assume if one needed to make the part as drawn there should be some way to cut the .625 radius. Perhaps by using tangential moves...not sure.

Thanks,

Billy

4
Update

Here is the final code which worked but clipped the part by .010 at point 8.

I am sure there is a better way to do this!!

%
(Outside Profile)
( All radius .625)
n1 (P0) g00 x0 y0 z0
n2 (P1) g01  x0. y1.750 z0.250 f5 (Entering move)
n3 g01 g41 x0 y1 d1 f5 (g41 move to P1)
n4 g01 z-0.005  ( lower cutter to start cut)
n5 (P2) g02 x1 y1 r.625 f10
n6 (P3) g03 x1 y0 r.625 f10
n7 (P4) g03 x1 y-1 r.625 f10
n8 (P4) g01 z.250
n9 g01 x1.750 y-1.750 (Exit move from P4)
n10 (P4)g01 g41  x1 y-1 z-.005
n11 (P5) g02 x0 y-1 r.625
n12 (P6) g02 x-1 y-1 r.625
n13 (P7) g03 x-1 y0 r.625
n14 (P8) g02 x-1 y1 r.625

n15 (P8) g01 z.100
n16 (p9) g01 x0 y1.750 ( e move)
n17 (P9) g01 g42 x0 y1
n18 (P9) g01 z-.005
n19 (P9) g03 x-1 y1 r.625
n20 (P0) g01 z2
n21 (P0) g00 x0 y0
m30
%
 Perhaps I will ask the I,J question in another post.

Billy

5
I assume the codes at the top right of the main screen are the ones that are active. Correct?

Why would g97 and g94 be active for a mill program? I assume g97 and g94 are for turning applications.

Thanks,

Billy

6
G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Need help with this drawing for G Code
« on: December 29, 2017, 01:12:16 PM »




Hi,

I am struggling with circular interpolation and g41/g42 offsets. As you can see from the tool path point 5 is not placed correctly.

Here is the code. How do I program to get to point 5???

%
n1 (P0) g00 x0 y0 z0
n2 (P1) g01  x0. y1.750 z0.250 f5 (Entering move)
n3 g01 g41 x0 y1 d1 f5 (g41 move to P1)
n4 g01 z-0.005  ( lower cutter to start cut)
n5 (P2) g02 x1 y1 r.625 f10
n6 (P3) g03 x1 y0 r.625 f10
n7 (P4) g03 x1 y-1 r.625 f10
n8 (P4) g01 z.250
n9 g01 x1.750 y-1.750 (Entering move)
n10 g01 g41  x1 y-1 z-.005
n11 g02 x0 y-1 r.625
m30

Thanks,

Billy

BTW, I also need to understand how to use the I and J commands for this example. I have read page 247 in Peter's book till I rubbed all the ink off the page...lol As this is programmed in all four quadrants it is a bit beyond my understanding at the moment.


7
General Mach Discussion / Re: How to set tool height question
« on: December 23, 2017, 12:55:14 PM »
I solved the issues.

Thanks,

Billy

8
General Mach Discussion / How to set tool height question
« on: December 22, 2017, 10:15:53 PM »
Hi,

I just about  got Mach 3 running properly. A couple of issues left.

1. When I touch off the tool on the part, what do I click on to send the height to the tool table? For now I measured the tool off the machine and put it in the tool table.

2. How do I set the soft limits?

I have a G54 question but for another day.

Thanks,

Billy

Strange little parts I am making from a 1883 loom!!! Not so hard to make but making a drawing from the part was a PITB!!!lol


9
Hi,

I would like to change out the spindle motor if possible for a server motor. I want control over speed, direction of rotation, and good torque for drilling and taping.

As I am new to all this, I am not sure what makes any sense. Cost within reason is not an issue.

Current Mill.




Thanks,

Billy

10
General Mach Discussion / What I learned today
« on: November 30, 2017, 08:08:43 PM »
Hi,

I am having great fun learning how to machine parts. Today I learned how to cut for a Woodruff key, slot a shaft for a key way. I also learned how to face a shaft and cut a chamfer. It was the first time I used a large lathe. The large lathe is a scary machine that can easily kill you!!! Reminded me of standing in front of a prop plane with the engine running. TOTAL respect I have for that machine!!

I cut the first Woodruff slot wrong and had to TIG weld up the part and turn it and start over and do it right. No big deal but trying to do that without writing everything down on paper was my mistake.

What I really learned was the need for me to draw everything out on paper before I even get close to a machine. I learned I need to do everything as precise as I know how at this stage.
I learned don't assume anything. The new out of the box 1 inch cutter was .016 oversize.
Plenty of time in the future to learn short cuts.

Cheers,

Billy

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