Messages

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: machine from drawing

« on: January 02, 2009, 01:14:36 PM »

I realize I will need some cam but would like a recommendation on the most practical and economical. I have not had experience with Lazycam. We have an off-site facility that does not have Mastercam and do not want to purchase it for that site. I don't have a particular drawing to post at this time. I can talk to the engineer and be more specific if I need to. Thanks for any input.

2

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: machine from drawing

« on: January 02, 2009, 01:04:23 PM »

Sorry, mill...

3

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / machine from drawing

« on: January 02, 2009, 12:32:47 PM »

What is the best way to machine with Mach directly from a drawing without using Mastercam to generate the G-code? The part has a spherical bowl for instance.

4

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Plug-in

« on: November 03, 2008, 08:48:43 AM »

Hey guys, just wondering how close the plugin is to having the analog/mpg inputs functioning properly?  Any news? The plugin I have has the inputs working but they have a bit of a delay.  Thanks!

5

PoKeys / Re: Need Help with Pokey & Mach

« on: October 22, 2008, 09:51:38 AM »

I'm having the same problem with the analog inputs on mine.  I'm sure they will fix that when Art gets back. 

6

PoKeys / Re: pokeys analog

« on: October 21, 2008, 02:54:19 PM »

The analog inputs do work.  I was able to hook them up and get them working this morning.  However, I am experiencing a bit of a delay from the analog switches.  The pokeys software reacts almost instantly but mach seems to have about a 1 second delay pulling the information in.  I wrote a simple macropump to control the FRO and it does work.  It very well could be my inexperience with mach, but I am very pleased to see that it is working even if it does need some minor tweaking. 

7

Brains Development / Rotary air clamp

« on: October 15, 2008, 01:13:19 PM »

Hi all,
I have a rotary axis with an air clamp on it.  What I would like mach to do is turn the air clamp on for me when the axis isn't moving.  I'm assuming I should do this with a brain.  What I can do, is set up one output to enable the air brake switch and to turn the servo motor off simultaneously so it will free run.  Then whenever the motor is commanded to move, disable that output and have an input going back to mach to tell it that it is ready to move and the air switch is off.  Anyone have any ideas?  Thanks.

8

PoKeys / Re: PoKeys Plug-in

« on: September 15, 2008, 11:52:46 AM »

Hi, are there any updates yet about the analog inputs?  What's the status?

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Change

« on: January 03, 2008, 05:21:15 PM »

Graham,
Your right about the M6 command.  I don't have a tool changer on this machine, so the M6 command doesn't really apply to me.  I'm used to using a simple T1 command to change a tool.  I still don't understand why I have to use the G43 command every time I make a toolchange.  Is that how it was designed?  One thing that was throwing me off is the fact that you can make a height offset that doesn't match the tool.  For example, T1 M6 G43 H2 calls for tool 1 but uses the tool 2 height offset.  What I didn't realize was that G43 also would recognize the "T1" word and pull in both offsets and didn't have to have the "H1" word.  I'm happy with this, now.  Although, I don't understand why you would ever want to make a tool with two different offsets.  And is there a way that you can just use G43 at the beginning of the program and make it so that you don't have to have it on every tool change line?  I don't mind doing this, as long as I know that I have to.  But every other machine I've used simply uses the T# word to do all of it.  Thanks for your help!
-Leith

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Change

« on: January 03, 2008, 02:52:29 PM »

Ok, I've been looking around the forums and have noticed instances where people have had similar issues.  I'm starting to think this is a problem of syntax and/or ignorance.  Last night I played with the machine and found that I have to use G43 H# in order to pull in the height offset.  I tried putting the g43 at the beginning of the program and still couldn't get it to pull in the height offset.  G43 is NOT modal.  At least not the way I understand it to be.  I have to use the G43 every time I want to change tools.  Sure, it stays on, but I have to use it again when I make another tool change.  Also, one thing I don't understand is when I use the M6 T#, what does it do?  Does it actually pull in the diameter offset for that tool or does it only make the program display the tool number in the window? 

What I think the software should do...

When I put in T1, it should pull in both the diameter and height offset for tool 1.  I don't understand why I have to put in all this other stuff when using a simple T# command could do all of it in one go.  Why can't the software do this?  Can I make a macro or change something to make this possible?  I don't know much about coding but I am learning.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks!