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Author Topic: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?  (Read 3226 times)

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3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« on: September 14, 2014, 11:30:13 AM »
Hi - I do some engraving on round objects - just using the wizard. Until now I've only had 3-axis mill so I've only engraved length-wise on barrel-shaped objects, setting a compromise depth deep enough to get the entire letter engraved. I just inherited my father's mill with a 4th axis. I seem to recall having seen somewhere a utility that takes 3-axis Gcode and "wraps" it around a round object creating 4-axis code. Can anyone point me to this?

Searched but couldn't find it.

P.S. - I don't use CAM - I write my Gcode manually (or use the Wizard)

Thanks in advance

/Greg
http://www.BlowsMeAway.com

Offline ger21

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Re: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2014, 12:36:49 PM »
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2014, 02:37:28 PM »
That was fast. Thank you! That is exactly what (I think ) I want. Downlaoding the trial now....

/Greg
http://www.BlowsMeAway.com
Re: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2014, 10:50:44 PM »
So - the trial does what it is supposed to do - I coded a 1" test square and it did the right thing. But what I really want this for is engraving - and the software barfs at GCODE with arcs in it. I use the Engraving Wizard to generate my letter code. Is there another utility that can deal with arcs - or a way to force the wizard to use line segments?

Offline dude1

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Re: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2014, 11:53:31 PM »
replace y with a using note pad its a ruff way of doing it but it can work. (disclamer I have never done so don't blame me if it does not work) I saw it on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbCzltIVZj4&list=UUgAcEv2QjfsjKGWcUO0cgMg
Re: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2014, 12:14:50 AM »
Doesn't make sense. Y is in inches. Z is in degrees. 1 inch is certainly nowhere close to 1 degree....

However for a given radius I can see that you could use a math function to convert Y to A, for example. Is that what you meant?

Offline dude1

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Re: 3 Axis to 4 axis Gcode conversion utility?
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2014, 12:52:10 AM »
use note pad import a gcode into it copy past what ever
select edit, replace then replace y with a try it you will see
load a code into M3 first see what it looks like then open the g code in notepad do the replace load back on M3 don't forget to set the radius correct.
or look at youtube video linked to