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Author Topic: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?  (Read 6275 times)

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Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« on: November 05, 2015, 11:00:26 PM »
Hi. New guy here.
Apologies for the long story...
I have a CNC 3040 I recently found on Amazon. I've succeeded in getting it to "work" using an older, 32 bit computer with Windows XP. By "work", I mean I can get the machine to move using the arrow and Pg Up and Pg Down keys. Hallelujah. Pass the biscuits.
I'm using Corel X5 to try to create a file I can load into Mach3 or LazyCam. What I'm trying to do is open a file in LazyCam (Version 1, 2005, because that's the version that came with the machine) using the "CAD Files" button.
So far, I've had no success with DXF.
I'm close (I think) with PLT. All I see on the screen, however, is a rectangle, but, the menu on the right, when I click different places in the rectangle, indicates there are chains there... but I can't see them.
I also can't find anywhere in LC how to "Post" the file to Mach3 as G Code.
I'm about ready for a silicone campfire. ANY and all advice will be much appreciated. I've been searching for weeks to find instructional videos with little success.
Thanks,
Frankie The Frustrated Kid

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2015, 02:17:25 AM »
Hi Frankie,

Have you read through the LazyCam documents ?? http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12078.0.html

Tweakie.
PEACE

Offline dude1

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2015, 02:55:30 AM »
get fusion360 it`s free for hobby/startup`s

Offline RICH

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2015, 07:43:40 AM »
As Tweakie  replied, READ THE MANUAL, and don't hack at the program.
DXF must be a version 12.

RICH

Offline RNC

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2015, 02:00:04 AM »
get fusion360 it`s free for hobby/startup`s

All it costs is however many thousands of dollars Autodesk wants 2-3 years down the line for you to get your drawings back.

Offline ger21

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2015, 08:36:12 AM »

All it costs is however many thousands of dollars Autodesk wants 2-3 years down the line for you to get your drawings back.


For the paranoid, you can save all your models in iges or step format, and your drawings in AutoCAD .dwg format.
Gerry

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

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2015, 09:46:35 AM »
What about:
Onshape?
https://www.onshape.com/

Dassault draftsight?  https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/

Sheetcam? ... If you are not doing 3d machining.
http://www.sheetcam.com/

Rob
Rob

Albert Einstein ― “If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.”

Offline ger21

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2015, 10:15:36 AM »
Well, Fusion 360 is the only one that does both CAD and CAM.

Anything other than LazyCAM would be a huge leap forward.

If your already using Corel, try the free version of CAMBAM instead of LazyCAM.
Gerry

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

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2015, 11:37:42 PM »
well, here's what I figured out and what I did: My machine came with the Mach3 freeware version and LazyCam version 1. I bought the licence to Mach3 and downloaded the latest LC, so that's where I'm at. I can import DXF into LC, post G Code to Mach3, run the code, and the machine moves. So, the software is communicating with the machine. That's good.
I've read the manual for LC and Mach3 until I fell asleep. I searched terms like "start point", "tool", "parameters", "V tool", "V bit"... nothing but frustration.
Here's what I have, and what I want to do:
Small, 12" X 18" table, 3-axis CNC, 1/4" dia 45 deg "V" bit. All I want to do is V-carved lettering on small wood panels. I can find the dialog boxes for "tool", but I can't see any pictures of the tools and the parameters that need to be set for them... and I only need the parameters for one. As I read through the manual, I can see that the machine should be capable of doing what I want, but, when I think I've got it, it doesn't work.
I open a DXF that's roughly 3" X 8" in LC. I can see it and it's correct. I click the "Scale" button and I can see that it's the right size. I set the parameters for a tool (using those set for the example in the manual, diameter, speed, and whatever else...just to see if I can get some kind of result), and post the code to Mach3.
I switch to Mach3. I see the code. I click the "Run" button...
For these tests, which I've done a number of times, I don't have any stock loaded on the table, there's no bit in the chuck, and the spindle is not running. I just want to see if the machine moves the way I think it should.
So, when I hit the "Run" button, the machine moves: X, Y, and Z movements. I see the codes running top to bottom on the screen... but, when the code completes, my 3" X 8" graphic only moved the machine about 1/2" square.
I can't see anywhere in the manual how to set a "base point" or how to re-position the spindle motor in relation to the cross-hairs on the table screen.
In LC, I tried opening a "New" file to set a boundry rectangle, then open a DXF to plop in the middle of it, but the DXF button cancels out the other one.
All I want to do is carve little signs. Help?

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Mach3, LazyCam, Corel X5. Help please?
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2015, 02:20:38 AM »
Quote
So, when I hit the "Run" button, the machine moves: X, Y, and Z movements. I see the codes running top to bottom on the screen... but, when the code completes, my 3" X 8" graphic only moved the machine about 1/2" square.

Could it be that you are working in Inches and your machine / Mach3 is set-up to work in Millimeters  ??

Tweakie.
PEACE