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Author Topic: Mach 3 and 4th Axis  (Read 57163 times)

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Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« on: June 28, 2010, 12:58:22 PM »
I have my 4th Axis set up on the hardware side of things but I am not sure how to go about it in Mach3 software Is there somewhere that i can see a complete start to finish setup or can someone explain it step by step.
I have at the moment only messed around in setting it up on mach3 but i thought that once it was setup correctly I should see it as it should be on the display for the tool path meaning for example i see a tube form with the engraving on it.
Thanks Jimbo

Offline Greolt

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Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2010, 05:01:52 PM »
Not much more to it than a linear axis.  :)

Steps per unit are in degrees.  Bit of maths will sort that out.

The axis must be designated A.  Neither B nor C will give you a visual representation of the toolpath.

Under "Toolpath" set "A-Rotations Enabled", and select which axis it rotates about.

Greg
Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2010, 10:52:37 PM »
Greg is there somewhere that you enter the diameter so that it shows it proper on the display or is this sorted out by the length of the drawing
Jimbo

Offline Greolt

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Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2010, 01:00:52 AM »
"Rotation Radius" DRO that is found on the settings page.

If Z axis zero is at the centre of rotation (to my mind, most often the correct place for it, others will disagree) then the visual toolpath will display correctly.

If Z axis zero is at some other height above centre,  this must be entered into the above DRO for the toolpath to display correctly.

Greg
Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2010, 01:49:12 AM »
Greg
I undersatand what you are saying I will try it all out later and if i have a problem i will post again/
Thanks
Jimbo
Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2010, 11:31:08 AM »
Greg
tried it and i find the display creates circles of dots and where it should be cutting there is other dot shapes, I was expecting to see (in my case a alpha letter) form into a cylinder and show the tool moving around as it would do on the normal XYZ cutting display.
Jimbo
Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2010, 04:07:08 PM »
I am using the 2Linc engraving software (full version) to engrave round tubing.   I seem to have a problem of my code bombing out and not sure why.   I can disable the X,Y,Z axis and the code runs to completion.  It seems that if I enable X and A it will bomb out and stop.

Can anybody help?
csimpson@rcsguns.com

Offline Greolt

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Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2010, 06:35:15 PM »
Jimbo a picture is worth a thousand words.  :)

And perhaps post the code too and I will take a look.

Greg
Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2010, 01:17:33 AM »
Gerolt
here is the code and display pic
Jim

Offline Greolt

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Re: Mach 3 and 4th Axis
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2010, 02:16:05 AM »
Jim

There are no A axis calls in that gcode.  Only X,Y and Z.

It also has G2 and G3 calls which are not applicable to a rotary axis.

Greg