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Author Topic: Sprial Cutting A Hole  (Read 5927 times)

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Offline Chaps

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Sprial Cutting A Hole
« on: May 14, 2010, 08:43:19 AM »
Help The NEWBY ???

How do you generate G-code with LazyCam to spiral cut holes???  I am making a simple aluminum panel.  I can cut the holes but I have to plunge/retract to the depth.  I have seen videos of a "spiral" cut which goes to depth without retracting each cycle.

Very elementary, I'm sure, but very frustrating when you don't know how! :'(

Offline Hood

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2010, 08:52:51 AM »
I am afraid I dont know how to do it in LazyCAM or even if LazyCAM produce such code.
The Mach3Addons wizards can do that but you have to buy them as they are extra on top of Mach, think $50 for the licence for them.
Hood

Offline stirling

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2010, 10:10:36 AM »
This example will cut a hole centred at X5 Y5 from Z10 to Z0 over 3 passes. First two spiral down and the third gives a flat bottom. Change to suit.
g0 x10 y10 z10
g2 x10 y10 i5 j10 z5
g2 x10 y10 i5 j10 z0
g2 x10 y10 i5 j10 z0

(Distance and IJ mode are absolute)

Ian

Offline Chaps

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2010, 10:24:04 AM »
Thanks, I'll try that sample code.  Will the Mach3Addons wizards generate that code if I get them?

Offline Hood

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2010, 11:19:28 AM »
Will the Mach3Addons wizards generate that code if I get them?


In the addons you can choose to do either plunge or helical cut in a circle, for helical just choose the pitch you want and the depth of the full cut. The code uses R instead of IJ but does the same.
Hood
Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2010, 03:57:58 PM »
Chaps,
  Will the Circular Pocket wizard that is in the standard installation not work for you ?
Not a true spiral but very similar results.
Russ

Offline RICH

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2010, 04:32:41 PM »
There's a few and alll a little different:
Circular Pocket Wizard
NewFangled Solutions
LazyCam - does not do a continuos spiral / steps off by an offset amount once the Z is plunged
Andys Circle Routines - i think it spirals around but may  not plunge  and spiral at the same time, don't remember ( nice wizard interface )

RICH

Offline simpson36

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2010, 04:50:23 PM »
Here is something to play with.  No warranty, use at your own risk.

This is a fragment of some G-code that I made up a while back to do spiral cutouts. You add your data to the variables labeled 'INPUT' in the comment line. I just extracted if from a larger program and added the lead-in and lead-out for this thread, so set your Z above the piece and 'cut air' to be sure everything is working as planned. I think it works OK, but it is not tested in its current 'universal' form.

Comment out the G4 codes unless you are debugging. Just move the '(' ahead of the G4.

Holes are cut around X0 Y0. You can move to the hole center and zero your DRO, use offsets to get to the desired location, or set up variables in the program to hold coords other than X0 Y0.

Have fun . . .

Offline Chaps

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Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2010, 11:19:05 AM »
Great!  I'll check it out today.  Thanks simpson36.  I appreciate the help!
Re: Sprial Cutting A Hole
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2010, 12:29:34 PM »
I second the thanks to Simpson......that is a very handy template there , useful for several apps that I have as well.
Thanks Steve,
Russ