Messages

11

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Importing Adobe Illustrator DXF file to Mach3

« on: July 24, 2006, 08:45:51 PM »

I'll have to monkey a bit with the illustrator file. We're close. Many thanks for the help so far. I will post my successes / failures as soon as I have some results..

12

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Importing Adobe Illustrator DXF file to Mach3

« on: July 24, 2006, 05:26:31 PM »

I loaded the modified DXF sample you posted and it appeared to work except that the x and y coordinates were very high numbers, even for metric. The original shape was about 6 inches across, I was getting x-values in the g code around 200 - 300. Is there a way I can check either scaling or the unit of measurement that results from the DXF import?

My machine is set up for inches as was my Illustrator file.

Many thanks in advance

13

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Importing Adobe Illustrator DXF file to Mach3

« on: July 22, 2006, 08:57:51 PM »

real simple stuff....

14

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Importing Adobe Illustrator DXF file to Mach3

« on: July 20, 2006, 04:42:08 PM »

Can this be done? I just tried it but when I imported into Mach3 I only got a few lines of code that didn't seem to relate to the simple shape I had converted. I can post the DXF file if required.

15

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Quirky results from G2 command - help a newbie!

« on: July 20, 2006, 01:41:01 PM »

Interesting - last night I tried everything I could think of to get round that problem, this morning (after having restarted my computer) the machine is acting normally (i.e. all programmed radii are on the x-y plane where they should be.)  Maybe the restart played a part.

While we're here - can anyone tell me what the protocol for G40 / G41 and G42 are. What conditions need to be met etc. Do I have to have tool data in teh setup page before calling up a G41 in my program? I got an error yesterday when I tried to run a demo program with a G41 in it.

16

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Quirky results from G2 command - help a newbie!

« on: July 20, 2006, 01:14:02 PM »

ger21 that's a good point - lemme take a look. If that isn't the reason I will post the code

17

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Quirky results from G2 command - help a newbie!

« on: July 20, 2006, 12:35:00 PM »

I'm in the process of getting my K2 CNC set up. I just ran a very simple piece of G-code as a first run to see what would happen. Basically a rectangular cut with radiused corners. When I ran the program the toolpath showed 45 degree angles where my radii should have been. I discovered upon looking at the path in an isometric view that on the x-y plane the cutter was moving at 45 degrees at the corners in x/y but at the same time the radius I had expected to see was being cut in the z-axiz as an arc. Any ideas why this is happening when the G2 is programmed only for x and y??

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I reverse the x-axis direction of travel?

« on: July 20, 2006, 11:41:30 AM »

Many thanks, I might buy another switch and enable that as a y-negative limit, shouldn't be too gard.
Looks like I have mach3 as configured as possible wt this point. Any further newbie questions should be related to Gcode and I'll ask those in another thread. Hood you have been a great help.

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I reverse the x-axis direction of travel?

« on: July 19, 2006, 06:56:55 PM »

K2 says not worth moving limit switches. When running a program just zero everything out at the x/y start point and from a relative point of view everything will be the same.

Where can I get a simple G-code that does something interesting but is less than 1000 lines. All the samples in the g-code folder are too big for me to run on my demo software. Just want to make sure everything is set before I invest in the full prog (now there's a typical Scotsman speaking!!)

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I reverse the x-axis direction of travel?

« on: July 19, 2006, 05:10:28 PM »

Good idea. I'm also waiting for feedback from my contact in K2 CNC. I'll update as soon as I hear