[dhenry]

Hi skipper
I have commented in the text of your questions.

Doug

Originally Posted by skipper Hi, Thanks for the input it was alot of help. I loaded up your file in Mach3 to run a simulation and from the starting plot could see that it cut the pocket out first (from the center) and then the outer profile. The first problem I had was that your file is in metric and my Mach3 is set up for English units so I added a G21 line to your code (I do not know g-code very well). [Press the G code button on Mach3 interface they are all their. Imperial is a dying measure in Australia. Expect for models of old things.] Here is the part where I am confused, I am doing something wrong with my set up. What I initially did was to zero all the table axises. Once everything was zeroed, I manually jogged the x,y and z axis to a location centered on my Router table from where I wanted to start my cutting. Then, I zeroed the mach3 axis locations that I just jogged to. [ That is what I do. I have a simple machine so I clamp my part. I then use Mach 3 to drive the cutter over the start point I have marked on materal. I then carefully lower the cutter until it kisses the surface a strong light helps. This becomes my origin. When I set the material up in solidcam I place my origin on the top surface at this point. I then zero Mach 3 on all axis. Next I issued a manual z5 command which is my tool clearance. I then start my program running. If you look at the Mach 3 page "Tool Path Alt4" their is a window program limits. If you see a negative z limit of more than the thickness of you material the you have a problem. The program I sent as a low z of -10mm the thickness of the material. ] I should mentioned that I move the z-axis in a positive direction pretty high so that when the program started it would have plenty of room before it ever hit the home switch. So, when I hit go button, when it got to M01 of the program in move the z-axis way down to -54 or so to where I think it actually hit the limit switch. Why does the M01 make the z axis go negative so far down?? [The g code is not doing this the code I sent has no M01 commands. You need to look at your setup something is wrong. If you get one generated delete it it is am optional stop. Check to see if you have accidentally set a tool change postion. ] It did this even when I first had it configured to inches, it move the z way down and hit the switch. After in stopped on the M01, I hit the go button again and off it went. I took 1:03 minute to complete the job! Over an hour, is that too long?? [ I run with a dremel drill that takes 2:17:21hrs in simulation. I used a 3mm cutter so it takes time.] I don't know enough g-code to get the z-axis to start in the right place. If I had really been cutting a project, the z-axis would have crashed into the part. Am I setting it up correctly by zeroing the machine axis and then jogging the tool to where I want it to be and then zeroing the Mach3 coordinates?? [see comments above. Remember your tool paths are are effected from how you draw the model in solid works thru solidcam to you mach3 setup. ] For some reason, when ever I start a program, the z-axis never seems to start from where I zeroed it. It always wants to move down too far?? Hope this all makes sense. [No it doesnot completely but just test and adjust. A good test progam is Z1 if it does not just move up 1in then you have some setup code running. ] Thanks again, skipper