ED,
I will assume that you are using the Lathe Turn module and the screen sets provided.
The Mach3 Turn Manual talks about the tool table set-up, but you need to read the manual a number of times to get the whole picture.
Suggest that you grow into a level of automation. Include limit swithes as part of your conversion, since without them, automated use of a quick tool holder will be a PITA. There is tutorial in the members docs for homing a lathe without limit switches, but, there are draw backs to using a lathe that way.
You have steep learning curve ahead of you.
- The lathe screens can be very confusing if you don't understand the different DRO displays as they relate to machine / work/ program coordinates and how you want to apply the program to your work. What "button" cancels what and how that will affect the work offsets / homing / tool setup etc.
- Lathe software - Gcode specific to the lathe, Wizards, LazyCam (LC), LazyTurn (LT).
There are tutorials on all three for the lathe in the members docs. Try some of the simple wizards, look at the code, and then do the actual machine set-up moves.
Use LazyTurn first as the manual covers a lot of information about the lathe and is a superb program ( even at this stage of developement ). LazyCam Turn is really not a bad program if you read through the tutorials and know what your looking at in the program and use it as supplement to LT until LT is finished. Take a look at the Arc Motion manual and that will give a good grasp about circles / arc programing and is rather specific to the lathe. Maybe in a week or so, the LazyCam manual will have a lathe section in it which will provide info on transition form LC Turn to LazyTurn.
For software programs i will qoute myself and challenge anyone out there to show otherwise:
" It is my personal opinion that you should purchase a license for LazyCam. Here is why:
I have not found, as of this writing, a basic CAM program for the mill and LATHE which has a good manual, excellent knowledgeable prompt support, and provides the level of CAM capability directly into MACH for the cost of the license."That said,
enjoy your new lathe and the learning that goes with CNC,
RICH