Hello Guest it is March 19, 2024, 07:11:13 AM

Author Topic: classes on g code and mach 3  (Read 21057 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

classes on g code and mach 3
« on: July 02, 2008, 10:56:56 AM »
does anyone know if there are classes you can take to learn g code and the mach 3 software, i am a hands on type of learner so i would prefer an actual class format with workshops to computor classes. i live in S.E. Michigan so if there are no classes, i would be willing to pay an individual to teach me one on one.
my email is trunkhaus@yahoo.com please let me know as i am recieving my machine on or about Aug. 15th and would like to know how to some what run it and be able to program my patterns into it when it arrives.
purchased a Vortech s408 4 x 8 cnc router with vaccuum holddown.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
thank you in advance.
Trunkhaus

Offline RICH

*
  • *
  •  7,427 7,427
    • View Profile
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2008, 06:14:10 PM »
Hi trunkhaus,
Here is a link to a "free" program which you may find usefull in learning G code.
I am sure there are others.

http://www.betatechnical.com/autonc.htm

RICH

Offline Chaoticone

*
  • *
  •  5,624 5,624
  • Precision Chaos
    • View Profile
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2008, 06:43:06 PM »
Thanks for the link Rich! Looks pretty neat.

Brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!

Offline ger21

*
  • *
  •  6,295 6,295
    • View Profile
    • The CNC Woodworker
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2008, 08:21:50 PM »
does anyone know if there are classes you can take to learn g code and the mach 3 software, i am a hands on type of learner so i would prefer an actual class format with workshops to computor classes. i live in S.E. Michigan so if there are no classes, i would be willing to pay an individual to teach me one on one.
my email is trunkhaus@yahoo.com please let me know as i am recieving my machine on or about Aug. 15th and would like to know how to some what run it and be able to program my patterns into it when it arrives.
purchased a Vortech s408 4 x 8 cnc router with vaccuum holddown.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
thank you in advance.
Trunkhaus

What CAD/CAM software do you plan on using? And do you have a link to the Vortech machines? I couldn't find any info on the web.

I'm in Shelby Township, btw. Are you near here?
Gerry

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

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

vmax549

*
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2008, 08:44:13 PM »
HUM I didn't know Mach3 could do hpgl or PLT code???????

(;-) TP

Offline RICH

*
  • *
  •  7,427 7,427
    • View Profile
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2008, 09:11:39 AM »
trunkhaus,
Here's a link to a "free" course to get get you started:

http://technology.calumet.purdue.edu/met/mfet/275/coursematerial.htm

Here's a simple easy "free" program which you can just type commands and see movements :

http://www.ncplot.com/ncplotfree/ncplotfree.htm

Then maybe you can use the other posted program for more advanced stuff.
Hopefully this gives you a progressive path to follow.












Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2008, 10:16:25 AM »
wow, thanks for all the reply's and info, you guys are great. ;D
ger21 i am in hartland on us23 and clyde rd.
i am totaly new to this cnc stuff and decided to buy a machine so i could transfer all my patterns for my company into cutting files, so i would no longer have to cut them by hand, and was hoping to sub let the machine out to others or possibly get a parts line to keep it busy when i am not using it. it appeared to be the best machine for the price, as i recieved a free vacumm hold down system with it, and the other machines i looked at with the same features but with a lesser table design where in the $20,000+ range and this one was $14,000 delivered, with 2 days of free schooling on the machine so i went for it.
hope it was a good deal in the long run.

thanks again guys
Trunkhaus

Offline jimpinder

*
  •  1,232 1,232
  • Wakefield, West Yorks, UK
    • View Profile
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2008, 01:25:57 PM »
There is no better way to learn GCode (and Mach 3) than by sitting down and doing it.

Basic GCode is very simple. The X and Y axis have co-ordinates, and a line of code tells your machine to move from where it is (it knows where it is) to a new location. That is it.

If you mention one axis in the line, than one axos moves, if your mention two axis, then both move simultaneously in time with each other, and if you mention 3 axis at one time you are better than me - but the same rule applies - all axis move simultaneously.

The move can be at hgh speed - i.e. what your motors are set at for top speed by using G0, or you can use G1 where you can specify the speed the axis(es) travel at - using F (Feed) in units per minute.

The codes G2 and G3 are for cutting an arc. This is a circular arc, as opposed to a hyperbola or other type. Here, as before the finish points are required, together with a radius (R parameter) or a centre paramter (I or J or K).

These codes are all that is required to make your machine do meaningful work. The other codes listed are all to do with offsets, or specialist drilling moves, or metric and imperial, etc, to make the first four codes do the job at the correct place - and, quite frankly are ignored by a lot of the Cam programs, which simply write what they want to do in the first 2 codes, G0 and G1.

Get stuck in and sit down and write some GCode program for yourself. Get some graph paper, which gives you a co-ordinate system, and draw out on that, where you want your tool to go, and then write the GCode to match it. You will be amazed that you can achieve so much with so little.

As you progress, you will investigate if there is a more efficient way of writing the Code, and there might be, but as I said before, many of the CAM programs are not efficient, they stick to writing things in lots of little lines.

The most important thing about all this is to make sure that you write your program, from a point 0.0.0. This is a point that you can set on your machine and know that when you start your program, the machine knows where it is.

One a lathe, X0 is normally the centreline of the lathe bed at rotation height, and Z0 is normally the right hand edge of the workpeice, both things you can easily find.
On a mill, X0Y0 is normally the bottom left hand corner of the workpeice, with Z0 being with the tool resting on the top of the workpiece, again a place that you can easily find - and more important in both cases - you can set your machine to.

These places are known as Work Co-ordinates. The machine itself always runs in Machine Co-ordinates - and the Mach DRO's display either. As you get more proficient, you will learn (or should I say - come to understand) how you can have the machine set itself to home co-ordinates, then apply offsets to bring it to the correct place to begin work. That, however, is a fair way in the future, and something you do not need to know at the present time.

Keep it simple at first, have a go writing your GCode and you will learn very quickly.





Not me driving the engine - I'm better looking.
Re: classes on g code and mach 3
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2008, 02:13:07 PM »
thank you for the advice, is there a handbook on g code you would recomend, so i can keep it by the machine incase there are any questions i do not have to run up to the house to log on to the net.
maybe something like a beginning nc code book or g code for dummies?