Topics

41

General Mach Discussion / MachTurn tool table

« on: February 14, 2009, 10:47:37 PM »

Where is the data for the tool table located?  I have spent about 6 hours in the last week re-doing the tool offsets for my 8 position tool turret.  For some reason as I change from the G-code screen to the mdi screen, Mach scrambles my tool table (version 3.0042.008 the only version that seems to work, the lock down version will not run my VB scripts).  I need to copy the file as soon as I finish setting up my table which takes me about an hour for the 8 tools.

Vince

42

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / MachTurn wizard problem

« on: February 10, 2009, 04:43:14 PM »

I used the OD arc 3 wizard to generate the following code.  All of the code is not listed just the part leading up to the problem.  The G-code roughs the part OK (it looks like a ball on a rod).  When it gets to the I and K part in the finish cut, it cuts right through the ball and leaves a smooth cut like it was a straight G1 move.  It appears to display properly in the preview window.  Any idea what could be wrong (I am still working on learning I's, J's and K's).

G1 Z-0.1196
G0 X0.155 Z-0.1096
G0 X0.195
G0 Z-0.1904
G0 X0.155
G1 X0.135 Z-0.1804
G1 Z-0.198
G0 X0.155 Z-0.188
G0 X0.195
G0 Z-0.09
G0 X0.125
G1 Z-0.1184
G0 X0.145 Z-0.1084
G0 X0.195
G0 Z-0.1916
G0 X0.145
G1 X0.125 Z-0.1816
G1 Z-0.198
G0 X0.145 Z-0.188
G0 X0.195
G0 Z-0.09
 (Pass at FinishCut)
G0 X0.12
G1 Z-0.1181
G2 X0.12 Z-0.1819 I-0.0025 K-0.0319
G1 Z-0.198
G0 X0.14 Z-0.19
G0 X0.195
G0 Z-0.09
F1
 (Pass for Final Dimension)
G0 X0.116
G1 Z-0.12
G2 X0.116 Z-0.18 I-0.0005 K-0.03
G1 Z-0.2
G1 X0.175
G0 X0.3

I should add that my settings were X start 0.1750 Xend 0.1160 Filler Radius 0.0300 Z start -0.1000 Z end -0.2000 Z center -0.1500 clearance 0.0100 Finish pass cut 0.002.

Thanks

Vince

43

General Mach Discussion / Screen 4, Macro, M10, M11 etc.

« on: February 05, 2009, 05:09:26 PM »

I am very close to getting my converted Hardinge CHNC lathe doing everything it would do when it left the factory 26 years ago.  My latest endeavor is to control the collet closer with M10, M11 and a screen button(s).  I think I can figure out the macro for the M codes, one to open the collet and the other to close.  It looks like I just place them in the Machturn directory and mach will execute them when it sees them in the g-code file.  Now for putting a button on the screen.  When I look at existing buttons like the one for the spindle, I see that one click turns the spindle on and another click turn it off.  Is this done with the "use hotkey function"?  If so, how can I make a single button that will open the collet with one click and close it with another click?  I was thinking I might need two buttons, and in the section for G-code function put M10 in one button and M11 in another.   If someone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Vince

44

General Mach Discussion / Configuration migration

« on: February 02, 2009, 04:21:23 PM »

I am in the process of setting up a new computer for my lathe.  I installed a copy of Mach on it and then moved my XML file to the new computer.  When I checked my serial modbus settings, nothing was there.  Do I have to go through all the configurations again or is there a file with all that information?

Thanks

Vince

45

Brains Development / Brain for tool turret

« on: February 01, 2009, 09:41:14 PM »

I have a brain that sends the currentTool to my PLC via modbus.  Now I need to change it so that one condition true before it will send the current tool to the PLC.  Jason gave me a macro that helps with the too turret change.  In the macro he sets user DRO 2000 to 1 if the carriage is in position for a tool change.  I need this DRO2000 to be 1 before the brain sends the current tool to the PLC.   In the first line I just pass the current tool.  In the second line I compare DRO 2000 to 1 (which would  be true if the carriage was in the proper position).  Then I do an AND function then terminate with an output to my PLC via modbus.  This does not work.  Any suggestions?

Vince

46

General Mach Discussion / MachTurn and tapping

« on: January 31, 2009, 08:14:56 PM »

Now that I have my CHNC lathe working again I am excited about trying some new things.  I just got a Hardinge TT tap holder.  I think some call it a floating tap holder.  If the spindle is turning faster than the pitch of the tap, the tap pulls out of the holder and start rotating freely.  The tap can pull out about 3/8".  I am wondering if Mach can keep track of the spindle and z axis like single point tapping.  The problem I see arising is when the spindle changes direction, it may turn more than the pitch of the tap, pulling it beyond the 3/8" of travel, and depending on the time it takes to change direction, how can I know when to start the z axis move to back out the tap?

Thanks

Vince

47

General Mach Discussion / Tool change macro

« on: January 31, 2009, 04:42:17 PM »

I have a Hardinge CHNC with a tool turret.  I am controlling the tool change with a PLC.  Mach sends the requested tool to the PLC and the PLC takes care of the tool change.  There is a brain that tells the PLC what tool Mach is requesting.  Sometimes the tool turret does not seat properly.  There is a sensor in the turret that detects this.  I have this sensor wired to input 11 of my BOB.  What I would like to happen is if the sensor detects that the turret did not seat all the way, mach will not proceed.  Currently my tool change macro looks like this:
  Code ("G53 G00 Z-0.200")
  Code ("G4 P3")   
  tool = GetSelectedTool()
  SetCurrentTool( tool )
This moves the saddle to the tool change position then does the change.  I have the G4 command to give the turret PLC time to make the tool change.  I think what I would like is instead of the G4 command, Mach would look at input 11 and if it were true, then it knows the tool change has taken place and proceed.  If input 11 is not true, then Mach would wait until the operator did something to fix the problem.

Any suggestions on what the tool change macro should look like?

Thanks

Vince

48

General Mach Discussion / DigiSpeed-SD and CW CCW control

« on: January 31, 2009, 12:04:49 AM »

I am installing a Homann DigiSpeed-SD speed control for my lathe VFD.  I have the speed part running great.  I have not been able to get the CW and CCW relays working right though.  I am a little stumped.  In the Mach motor outputs screen, you can set the step and direction pins.  But in the Spindle set up screen, you can set the CW and CCW outputs through outputs 1-6.  Why would you set the direction pin in the motor outputs screen if you are setting the CW and CCW outputs in the Spindle set up screen?  I am using pin 14 for the step pulse.  I need to use pins 8 and 9 for direction.  Can someone give me a clue as to how to set up Mach for the CW and CCW directions?

Thanks

Vince

49

General Mach Discussion / What kind of tool it this

« on: January 10, 2009, 08:09:58 PM »

I need to make a part that required that I make cuts along the Z axis with a narrow tool like a parting tool.  I am not having success with my parting tool or an insert grooving tool (the insert moves).  I saw this tool in one of the mach videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMxmFugaXFY

Any idea what kind of tool it is?  A link to a website would be great.

Thanks

Vince

50

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / CNC Taig lathe

« on: January 01, 2009, 10:18:11 PM »

I may have posted about this lathe when I first converted it to CNC.  Now it is in my dining room with a nice enclosure.  I also added a spindle index so I can thread.  I posted a thread about it here:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=546099#post546099

Vince