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Re: Mastercam question

 

I am creating a toolpath in Mastercam and have the clearance value
on my
Contour set at 2".
However, when I post the output (using the Mach2 post processer as
well as
others) it starts at Z=0 and goes straight to the XY position of
the start
of the contour before going to Z of 2".

Does anybody have any ideas to what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,
-Chris

Chris,
I have used Master Cam some, but I haven't used the Clearance value
at all. I use the Retract value of 0.25, Feed Plane of 0.1
Absolute, Top of stock 0.0 and Depth of cut -0.something. I have a
guy at work that is an expert......I'll ask him your question.

Ed
Art's Biography

 

Art,
I've often wondered how people like you get where they are. You
seem to have a background in several specialities that aren't
available to the "general public", say for example, writing your
engine as a virus like activity to take over Windows?
So, I would really be interested in your biography; Age, educational
background, work experience, etc. I know you are very busy with
this group and Mach2, but if you have a few minutes.........

Thanks,
Ed Morgano
Re: Version 5.0

Steve Blackmore
 

On Fri, 05 Mar 2004 18:50:12 -0400, you wrote:


I will think of you all while I bask in the tropical rays oif the CanCun
sun. I do have a couple of questions for you all to consider while I'm gone
as I have reached a few decision points on the code for the next version 5.x
release....

1) How intelligent should the toolpath be.
How about

How intelligent should the toolpath "display" be?

Lets take into account tool offsets!

As it stand now the display is no more than a rough estimation of
where the tool may go! It's caused more than one or two queries in the
past!!

One turning job done recently used a long boring bar, after carefully
centering/zooming the "stock" - the toolpath displayed was completely
off view!!

Instead of concentrating on CAM/Macro functions, bells and whistles
let's get the controller fully funtional!

Toolpath display has been really neglected -how about fixing it
please!

--
Steve Blackmore
Re: Spindle sensors

Steve Blackmore
 

On Fri, 05 Mar 2004 17:34:18 -0400, you wrote:


Better tracking of the spindle speed changes that may occur. The
variations depend on the machine, the spindle and quite a few factors, so
for some there is an advantage, for others there is none.
Art - I know that my setup with a big DC motor and VFD is "lumpy"
below about 350rpm, (with my mid range belt setting) when timed over
short periods but is stable when timed over a long sample time. It's
the nature of the beast <G>.

Am I going to get any advantage fitting this multi slot sensor?
I can easily change belt ratios and get smooth spindle speeds at
100rpm with the motor doing 1000rpm.

Currently I'm running 1:1 ratio, the 500-1000rpm range works great, I
can turn, thread, face, bore just about anything that fits in the
lathe and take up to .5mm cuts in steel without any barfs if I get the
feedrate right.

The EMF feedback in the VFD works pretty good, really abusing the
lathe looses no more than 50rpm (at 700), but it takes some tweaking
to get it not to over/under compensate and it changes somewhat
depending on the stock material.

I don't let it do that sort of thing normally, 200mm/min and .25mm
roughing cuts in Aluminium suits me, I drop the feed to 100mm/min for
steel - slow but steady, and I'm still using last years inserts <G>.


--
Steve Blackmore
Re: (First drawing software (was cnc plasma)

Hugh Smith
 

Scout,

I just purchased QuickCad 8 from for USD48.00 + the normal S&H&T. I use AutoCAD a lot and for 2D work QuickCad is easier. QuickCad does not do 3D and exports a dxf if wanted. Its been able to do everything I've asked of it, and for $48.00 whats to lose.

Hugh

----- Original Message -----
From: dk32544
To: mach1mach2cnc@...
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 2:24 PM
Subject: [mach1mach2cnc] (First drawing software (was cnc plasma)


Well, thanks for all the great info. Looks like what I need to do is just
get some drawing software and start practicing. Which leads me to my
next question.

For the near term future I'll be doing simple shapes - brackets and
such. I guess most 2D shapes are simple, but I won't be doing much
metal art until probably next year. So what software should I buy to
start out with: Corel Draw, Quickdraw, or something else? I have
heard of some problems with Corel Draw for this type of work, but don't
remember what the issue was. P.S. I already have the ruler but I'm not
sure if it's Windows XP compatible. lol.

Scout



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Re: Version 5.0

 

Thanks Art for this version 5.0

I tried to use the Microsoft script debugger on it without success. I didn't
get mach2 in the "running documents" window of the debugger, even if there
is a running macro.


i'm using version 1.0.72.95



Have some nice holidays.

Olivier.
Re: Version 5.0

barker806
 

Hi All:

Version 5.0 is online. It is the start of a migration sequence
to a new
format. The only differences in this version is the directory
structure of
the macros. A new user will see no functional difference, but if
you have
a
custom profile name, then you MUST create a macro directory under
that
name
and put your macro's there. This means no more overwriting
personal macro
files when upgrading. You may have as many macro directories as
profiles,
and the tooltables are also saved in those directories, so each
machine
has
its own tool set.
This version fixes a few small bugs as posted earlier in
my "Fixed for
next version.." messages. My desk is a mess and I will have to
clean up
around here before I start the next round. I've been quite ill
this week
with the flu and have been a little slow to respond, my
appologies.
<SNIP>

Hello Art

I hope you Have a great time in the Sun!! It is snowing here (Maine)
so it will be there soon ;0). The 4th axis is better and worse... I
think you did something to the only A move. if I try to do a G00
A360.0 the motor will miss steps, Not even move. I can do anything to
the settings and it still will not work. I can move the X and A at
the same time!!! But the motor still seems to have problems with the
Accels that mach2 is giving it. I had to set the x and a Axis very
low to get it to run.

Have a good time (and THANK YOU)
Brian

PS Drink BEER (I am, will, and do !!)
PSS I don't drink things with worms in it...
Re: (First drawing software (was cnc plasma)

 

--- In mach1mach2cnc@..., "dk32544" <scoutxx@c...> wrote:
Well, thanks for all the great info. Looks like what I need to do
is just
get some drawing software and start practicing. Which leads me to
my
next question.

For the near term future I'll be doing simple shapes - brackets and
such. I guess most 2D shapes are simple, but I won't be doing much
metal art until probably next year. So what software should I buy
to
start out with: Corel Draw, Quickdraw, or something else? I have
heard of some problems with Corel Draw for this type of work, but
don't
remember what the issue was. P.S. I already have the ruler but I'm
not
sure if it's Windows XP compatible. lol.

Scout
Scout, Don't tell anyone but I use Corel for virtually all of my
drawings. Even though I have copies of several CAD programs I always
end up using Corel. You can draw things to .001 easily and for
generating 2D shapes and working with vectors it is hard to beat.
There were some problems with versions 10 (and 11 possibly) not
exporting correct DXF files. Some programs would not read them.
Version 9 is what I still use although I plan on upgrading to 12 soon.

I use a CAM program that has no problems importing several of the
Corel formats. I don't know if there are issues with MACH2 importing
the Corel DXF files but you can just as easily export in HPGL (.plt)
format and bring that into MACH2.

I like the interactive scale and rotate functions in Corel so that
once I draw a design to scale I can create a sheet the size of my
material and layout the parts anyway I want. A Ctl-D allows you to
duplicate all or part of an object and you can setup what you want
the offset to be so you can easily step and repeat. The weld and
trim tools are powerful ways to build complex objects from squares
ovals and other objects. Here is an example:

YOu need to cut out a sign for a customer. You let him choose from
any of the hundreds of fonts that come with Corel. You quickly do
the layout even wrapping text around arcs or circles, but how do you
keep the centers of the letters like the "A" or "O" from falling off
into the water? Just turn the text layout into curves (Convert to
Curve), draw a small rectangle (one click and drag), move to over the
top of the area where it overlaps the center of the letter and the
outsie perimeter of the letter and click on "Trim" and bingo it build
a connector (sprue) to the center.

This is heresy but IMO Corel will do everything all of the dedicated
CAD packages will do for simple 2D or 2.5D work and and some things
they won't. It's nice to be able to show a customer a shaded drawing
of your purposal then build a cut file from the same drawing.
Re: Version 5.0

 

Fantastic Art !
Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Art" <fenerty@...>
To: <mach1mach2cnc@...>
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 4:50 PM
Subject: [mach1mach2cnc] Version 5.0


Hi All:

Version 5.0 is online. It is the start of a migration sequence to a new
format. The only differences in this version is the directory structure of
the macros. A new user will see no functional difference, but if you have
a
custom profile name, then you MUST create a macro directory under that
name
and put your macro's there. This means no more overwriting personal macro
files when upgrading. You may have as many macro directories as profiles,
and the tooltables are also saved in those directories, so each machine
has
its own tool set.
This version fixes a few small bugs as posted earlier in my "Fixed for
next version.." messages. My desk is a mess and I will have to clean up
around here before I start the next round. I've been quite ill this week
with the flu and have been a little slow to respond, my appologies.

Please note that (As posted on the Web Site) ARTSOFT WILL BE CLOSED NEXT
WEEK FOR MARCH BREAK.

I will think of you all while I bask in the tropical rays oif the CanCun
sun. I do have a couple of questions for you all to consider while I'm
gone
as I have reached a few decision points on the code for the next version
5.x
release....

1) How intelligent should the toolpath be. What I intend at this point is
that the display will by default show the entire surface of your table
(Taken from the softlimits tables), the X, Y and Z position on that table,
the job as it sits on the table so you can see its position. I intend to
add
the capability to drag that job around the table so that it will be cut at
that point. The X,Y, Z gantry will move during the cut showing the
position
of all axis. A few buttons will be included to select overall view (as
just
described), zoom to part view, zoom to tool view (Showing a small area
arund
the tool point) and the usual ISO, LEFT, RIGHT..etc.. views. Some
machines
will not be able to display all this without trouble while pulseing so it
will be optional, but many should be able to (My 2.3Ghz seems capable of
it..). This would allow for capabilities at some point like "click and go"
to go to a particular spot.

2) How about the new single function screens. I intend at this point to
cheat the system a bit. In order to maintain compaability with everyones
screens goin way back, Mach2 will have its normal default screens. And a
list of user screens , each with their own directory and bitmap folders.
When a User Functional screen is selected, the main defaults will shut
down,
and the new Functionals open up. This allows any Conversational or
Functional Screen set to be multiple pages, use the same screen designer,
and use any OEM numbers for controls and such with no interference with
the
main screens. The entire program would appear to switch to that functional
type of program. Hitting "Done" would instantly flash it back to Mach2's
default screens. This really is more of a grouping of screens by function
type of change, but may make a lot of sense in the context of
Conversational
work. It would allow for Wizard type of screen sets with Next and Back
buttons allowing a user to step through a complex process to create an end
result. Also, the screens usage will be encouraged to follow the new
teaching mode where all the code"xxmxmxmx" statements from scripts are
stored to a file which is automatically loaded when you hit done. So you
enter the functional domain, follow the instructions and a G-Code file is
created which is then autoloaded and your back in MAch2 ready to run it.
Seems to make more sense than having User screens do movement without
being
on the proper screen for movement.


Anyway, these are just the things I plan for, your comments are welcome,
of course I have other parallel projects like finishing the Gecko and more
turning code. I like the thought of functional screens for turning as it
may
allow a beginner to see a process step by step to a finished G-Code
result.
Then run it.

Anyway, I will be around tommorrow, then I'm burnt...I mean gone...

Thanks,
Art
www.artofcnc.ca








Yahoo! Groups Links
Version 5.0

Art
 

Hi All:

Version 5.0 is online. It is the start of a migration sequence to a new
format. The only differences in this version is the directory structure of
the macros. A new user will see no functional difference, but if you have a
custom profile name, then you MUST create a macro directory under that name
and put your macro's there. This means no more overwriting personal macro
files when upgrading. You may have as many macro directories as profiles,
and the tooltables are also saved in those directories, so each machine has
its own tool set.
This version fixes a few small bugs as posted earlier in my "Fixed for
next version.." messages. My desk is a mess and I will have to clean up
around here before I start the next round. I've been quite ill this week
with the flu and have been a little slow to respond, my appologies.

Please note that (As posted on the Web Site) ARTSOFT WILL BE CLOSED NEXT
WEEK FOR MARCH BREAK.

I will think of you all while I bask in the tropical rays oif the CanCun
sun. I do have a couple of questions for you all to consider while I'm gone
as I have reached a few decision points on the code for the next version 5.x
release....

1) How intelligent should the toolpath be. What I intend at this point is
that the display will by default show the entire surface of your table
(Taken from the softlimits tables), the X, Y and Z position on that table,
the job as it sits on the table so you can see its position. I intend to add
the capability to drag that job around the table so that it will be cut at
that point. The X,Y, Z gantry will move during the cut showing the position
of all axis. A few buttons will be included to select overall view (as just
described), zoom to part view, zoom to tool view (Showing a small area arund
the tool point) and the usual ISO, LEFT, RIGHT..etc.. views. Some machines
will not be able to display all this without trouble while pulseing so it
will be optional, but many should be able to (My 2.3Ghz seems capable of
it..). This would allow for capabilities at some point like "click and go"
to go to a particular spot.

2) How about the new single function screens. I intend at this point to
cheat the system a bit. In order to maintain compaability with everyones
screens goin way back, Mach2 will have its normal default screens. And a
list of user screens , each with their own directory and bitmap folders.
When a User Functional screen is selected, the main defaults will shut down,
and the new Functionals open up. This allows any Conversational or
Functional Screen set to be multiple pages, use the same screen designer,
and use any OEM numbers for controls and such with no interference with the
main screens. The entire program would appear to switch to that functional
type of program. Hitting "Done" would instantly flash it back to Mach2's
default screens. This really is more of a grouping of screens by function
type of change, but may make a lot of sense in the context of Conversational
work. It would allow for Wizard type of screen sets with Next and Back
buttons allowing a user to step through a complex process to create an end
result. Also, the screens usage will be encouraged to follow the new
teaching mode where all the code"xxmxmxmx" statements from scripts are
stored to a file which is automatically loaded when you hit done. So you
enter the functional domain, follow the instructions and a G-Code file is
created which is then autoloaded and your back in MAch2 ready to run it.
Seems to make more sense than having User screens do movement without being
on the proper screen for movement.


Anyway, these are just the things I plan for, your comments are welcome,
of course I have other parallel projects like finishing the Gecko and more
turning code. I like the thought of functional screens for turning as it may
allow a beginner to see a process step by step to a finished G-Code result.
Then run it.

Anyway, I will be around tommorrow, then I'm burnt...I mean gone...

Thanks,
Art
www.artofcnc.ca
Re: (First drawing software (was cnc plasma)

Robert Campbell
 

Scott,

I just upgraded to Corel 12. Corel has added snaps in 12 which will help.

If you are going to do a lot of artistic work for metal art then Corel 12
will be a good answer.

If you have a previous version of Corel then the upgrade can be as low as
$149.

Corel also comes with Corel Trace which will help you whenever you want to
convert a bitmap to vector.


Bob Campbell
Bob@...
www.campbelldesigns.com
Breakout board
THC board sets
CNC router plans
Stepper Motors

----- Original Message -----
From: "dk32544" <scoutxx@...>
To: <mach1mach2cnc@...>
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 4:24 PM
Subject: [mach1mach2cnc] (First drawing software (was cnc plasma)


Well, thanks for all the great info. Looks like what I need to do is just
get some drawing software and start practicing. Which leads me to my
next question.

For the near term future I'll be doing simple shapes - brackets and
such. I guess most 2D shapes are simple, but I won't be doing much
metal art until probably next year. So what software should I buy to
start out with: Corel Draw, Quickdraw, or something else? I have
heard of some problems with Corel Draw for this type of work, but don't
remember what the issue was. P.S. I already have the ruler but I'm not
sure if it's Windows XP compatible. lol.

Scout




Yahoo! Groups Links
(First drawing software (was cnc plasma)

 

Well, thanks for all the great info. Looks like what I need to do is just
get some drawing software and start practicing. Which leads me to my
next question.

For the near term future I'll be doing simple shapes - brackets and
such. I guess most 2D shapes are simple, but I won't be doing much
metal art until probably next year. So what software should I buy to
start out with: Corel Draw, Quickdraw, or something else? I have
heard of some problems with Corel Draw for this type of work, but don't
remember what the issue was. P.S. I already have the ruler but I'm not
sure if it's Windows XP compatible. lol.

Scout
Re: OCX group

 

Hi James, I agree it belongs in the group. It just seems that a
smaller group can focus on the OCX.


Best regards
peter

--- In mach1mach2cnc@..., "James Stevens"
<jstevens@c...> wrote:
Peter,

Since the OCX is an integral part of Art's software and he offered
to help
out in any way, why not keep it within the scope of this group.
Unless Art
feels otherwise, let's try and do it here - perhaps more people
would learn
and/or contribute when they see how it ties into their software.

I'm willing to help and share as I'm trying to implement the OCX
within VB
as well.

James
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter" <elasebay@y...>
Subject: [mach1mach2cnc] OCX group


Hello VB programmers. How about a temporary separate until we
get to
the bottom of the OCX.
Re: Spindle sensors-DRO #66

 

--- In mach1mach2cnc@..., Art <fenerty@a...> wrote:
Hi John:

I probably shouldn't mention this as it could muddy the water,
but if you
drop a DRO #66 onto a screen, it can be used for the entrance
angle of a
thread. Its value is from 0 - 360 degrees, so just by changing
that value
and using the same code, you can get multi-turn threads... (Just
an
option..)

Art
www.artofcnc.ca
AH!!! Another piece of the puzzle! Thanks Art, that'll be of use.
Oh! The water's already muddy, your added info has thickened it so
it can be formed like clay...
Re: Beginner's Guide to OCX Implementation Request

Art
 

Les:

Your test program is crashing when trying to set the profile. This is
beacuse the way VB handles strings is different than VC's strings. Your
sending a BStr while that call expects a Ansi String. I can add a BString
handler, but for now, skip the call. It is used only to set the name of the
profile on the screen. The text file in your driectory called "profile.txt"
actually contains the xml file to load. This was due to a chicken and egg
problem. I needed the profile name to get the prefered profile name from the
xml to load the profile I needed the name from in the first place.

The graphics issues we'll have to deal with when I return. It seems that
a HideWindow() will not hide a VB window all the time. I'm sure there's
somethign we can design to fix that up...

Thanks for the test file. It actually crashes in a system dll that runs a
ConvertAnsiToBstr routine on the text, which is already a bstring..?? Christ
knows why, the routine expects an ansi anyway...Its like VB says, this is a
C OCX so I'll convert this to ansi...
.

Thanks,.
Art
www.artofcnc.ca
Screen Editor how to...

 

hi all+art

ive just started playing with the screen editor, its a great tool but
im still trying to figure out a few settings though...

i suppose there will be some postings regarding this issue, please
have patience with me.

I uploaded my *.set file to files/screens/jipeess?s screen, in case
of someone would have time to check what ive missed.


thanks
jens
New file uploaded to mach1mach2cnc

[email protected]
 

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the mach1mach2cnc
group.

File : /Screens/CnCut3
Uploaded by : jipeess2000 <jipeess2000@...>
Description : jipeesss screen

You can access this file at the URL



To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit



Regards,

jipeess2000 <jipeess2000@...>
Re: Spindle sensors

Art
 

Hi John:

I probably shouldn't mention this as it could muddy the water, but if you
drop a DRO #66 onto a screen, it can be used for the entrance angle of a
thread. Its value is from 0 - 360 degrees, so just by changing that value
and using the same code, you can get multi-turn threads... (Just an
option..)

Art
www.artofcnc.ca

----- Original Message -----
Re: Spindle sensors

Art
 

I'll try and get my multi-slot disc finished this weekend and give it
a try - but the only thing I'm really expecting is increased
processing overhead.


Should be no extra overhead. The way its done is pretty much invisable to
the code. Less than a few nanoseconds per rev would be used.

Art
www.artofcnc.ca
Re: Beginner's Guide to OCX Implementation Request

Art
 

Les:

I did notice the failure of the graphics to switch properly. I can't think
why, you'd think a C program using the OCX would behave much like a VB
program.. One of those microsoft things I guess. Only troubleshooting will
tell.

Art
www.artofcnc.ca
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