Hello Guest it is March 29, 2024, 06:18:07 AM

Author Topic: Altium 9 to Mach3  (Read 17577 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline cpete

*
  •  13 13
    • View Profile
Altium 9 to Mach3
« on: November 01, 2012, 01:26:20 PM »
Hi,

 I'm new to this industry. I recently built my first CNC and it works well from test gcodes that I've found on the net.

Over the last two weeks I've tried all kinds of combinations with software that convert nc to gcode. I cannot seem to get Altium and Mach3 to work together. I am completely lost at this point.

Can anyone help?

Offline Tweakie.CNC

*
  • *
  •  9,196 9,196
  • Super Kitty
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2012, 04:54:03 AM »
I believe Altium only outputs the track information as a Gerber file and the hole information as an .nc file.
There are a number of different software programs that will convert Gerber to GCode and an internet search may be your best bet. This is the first one I came across http://www.ofitselfso.com/LineGrinder/LineGrinder.php

For 'simple' layouts LazyCam (included free with Mach3) will open and process Gerber files although it has limited function but it should, at least. enable you get started.

Tweakie.
PEACE

Offline cpete

*
  •  13 13
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2012, 11:03:02 PM »
Thanks a lot Tweakie.

I'll give your suggestions a try and thanks for the look up the LineGrinder software.

Offline cpete

*
  •  13 13
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2012, 07:16:28 AM »
Hi Tweakie,

First of all, thanks for the LineGrinder link. This software has great potential. Unfortunately at this time LineGrinder has a problem with the import of .nc files. The Gerber section works great like I said this program has great potential.

So, I'm stuck not being able to produce .nc to GCode file for drilling purpose. Any Suggestions?

Thanks

Offline Tweakie.CNC

*
  • *
  •  9,196 9,196
  • Super Kitty
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2012, 07:58:08 AM »
I would need to see an example of your .nc file but if it contains the Z axis data then it can be loaded directly into Mach3. Could you perhaps post or email me an example ??

Tweakie.
PEACE

Offline cpete

*
  •  13 13
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2012, 11:21:01 AM »
Direct from Altium 9

G92
M48
INCH,TZ
FMAT,2
T01C0.0300
T02C0.0310
T03C0.0350
T04C0.0550
T05C0.0600
DETECT,ON
%
G90
T01
X5182Y1540
Y1360
X5075Y1680
X5055Y1945
X5355
X5235Y1820
X5375Y1680
X5500Y1719
X5699
X5599Y1905
X4162Y1520
X4258Y1472
X4358Y1520
X4680Y1370
X4788Y1360
Y1540
X4935Y1820
X4719Y1779
X4680Y1670
X4460Y1705
X4520Y1779
X4619Y1965
X4300Y1705
X4855Y2080
X4825Y2230
X4705
Y2530
X4825
X4555Y2080
X4460Y2205
X4300
X4240Y2430
Y2730
X4480Y2802
X4432Y2902
X4480Y2998
X4660Y2798
X5055Y2685
Y2985
X5215Y2916
X5375Y2965
X5495Y2785
X5375Y2665
X5755Y2825
X5215Y3034
X5495Y3085
X5167Y3300
X5267Y3348
X5363Y3300
X5325Y3135
X5025
X5012Y3700
X5547Y3225
X5647Y3273
X5743Y3225
X5755Y3125
X4560Y3110
X4420Y3390
X4560Y3410
X4520Y3560
X4680
X4618Y3700
X4420Y3690
X4660Y3192
X4760Y3300
X4860
X4960
T02
X4935Y2853
Y2657
X4625Y2458
Y2262
X5147Y2040
X5343
X5562Y2045
X5758
X5635Y2677
Y2873
T03
X4305Y1820
X4965Y2220
Y2520
X4305Y2100
X5065Y2220
X5165
X5265
X5365
X5465
X5565
X5665
Y2520
X5565
X5465
X5365
X5265
X5165
X5065
T04
X5300Y1501
Y1321
X5500Y1325
Y1505
X4509Y1310
X4505Y1510
X5434Y3400
X5430Y3600
X5701Y3640
X5705Y3440
X5000Y3544
X4800Y3540
T05
X5715Y1380
M30

Offline Tweakie.CNC

*
  • *
  •  9,196 9,196
  • Super Kitty
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2012, 12:05:18 PM »
Well it appears that the drill files exported from Altium 9 do not contain the Z axis data in Mach3 format.

The attached software is only an un-supported Beta release (please read the ‘about’ file) but it may do what is required. You perhaps need to change the file extension of the drill files from .nc to .txt in order to load them but they do seem to be processed OK.

I would be interested to hear if this software also handles your Gerber track data files as well.

Tweakie.
« Last Edit: November 05, 2012, 12:07:02 PM by Tweakie.CNC »
PEACE

Offline cpete

*
  •  13 13
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2012, 01:51:01 PM »
Hi Tweakie,

This for the help. Unfortunately the attached did not download. Please reattach and send again.

Thanks

Offline cpete

*
  •  13 13
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2012, 02:35:29 PM »
I meant to say Thanks for the help. LOL. I can't to see well apparently.

Offline Tweakie.CNC

*
  • *
  •  9,196 9,196
  • Super Kitty
    • View Profile
Re: Altium 9 to Mach3
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2012, 01:42:14 AM »
PcbMill at the bottom of this page http://cncdrive.com/downloads.html

Tweakie.
PEACE