You can download it at:

www.ncplot.com


General
=======

Fixed toolbar related window resizing problem. Under certain conditions a blank bar would remain under the toolbar when the NCPlot window was maximized.

Fixed problem with system variables #5001, #5021 and #5041 when machine type is set to Lathe diameter. These values were only half of what they should have been.

NCPlot now works properly regardless of the decimal point character assigned by the Control Panel's regional settings.

Added a status bar panel for quick access to script files. When this panel is clicked, a menu pops up with a list of the available script files. When one the script files is selected from this menu, the script file is executed.

Added support for Lathe G70 - G73 cycles. These cycles do not display the full roughing tool path, but rather just the finished profile. They work similar to a subprogram, beginning at the block designated by the "P" address and ending at the block designated by the "Q" address.



DXF Import / Export
===================

The DXF exporter has been modified to save the actual viewport contents rather than generating the DXF data from the G-Code program. This is faster and allows saving of geometry created with the Calc tools.

Added a new DXF export option to the File menu. The new tool is called "Export Selected as DXF File" and allows saving only the selected viewport entities to a DXF file.

Fixed a bug in the DXF exporter. When the Lathe machine type was active, the exporter was saving all arcs as clockwise. This is fixed.

Fixed an error that was occurring when a DXF file was opened from the File | Open menu. The drawing would display, but a run time error would shut NCPlot down when converted to G-Code. There was also a case where the drawing would display briefly and then disappear before the conversion options window opened.



Viewport
========

Added the ability to maximize the viewport. Double-clicking the viewport will hide the program display in order to maximize the size of the viewport. Double-clicking again will restore the program display.

Added a slider control to the bottom of the viewport. This allows you to control the backplot by simply moving the slider.


Thanks,
Scott

Thank you for adding that. Where do I set the x and z lathe offsets or in other words the value in machine coordinates for the tool safe turret rotation? Will the graphics show the tool moving over to this point?

Thank you for adding that. Where do I set the x and z lathe offsets or in other words the value in machine coordinates for the tool safe turret rotation? Will the graphics show the tool moving over to this point?

Are you talking about the G54 - G59 work offsets? These can be found under Setup | Machine Configuration on the work offsets tab. See the attached pic.

Regards,
Scott

Hello MetLHead,

I went to your website and saw that Beta2.2 was still in the development stage. Does your post here indicate that Beta2.2 is up and running? Or are you still working on the bugs?
:cheers:

Tobyaxis,

All of the beta versions so far have been available to the general public. This is so I get as much feedback as possible about what works and what doesn't. The official release of NCPlot version 2 will be sometime this summer, probably before the end of August. So, I'm pretty much finished adding features and am working on finishing up what I have and fixing whatever bugs there are.

Thanks,
Scott

The G28 command.

The G28 command.

??

I'm sorry, but I think you lost me. Could you explain what you are trying to do? If you have a sample program, that would help me too.

Thanks,
Scott

On a lathe the G28 command returns the cutter back to the machine zero in both X and Z. It executes moves in the same way as the G00 does, by that I mean it moves both axis at the same rate (not a linear move).

The machine zero on a lathe is usually out away from the spindle and therefor a safe place for the turret to rotate without any risk of a tool crash. So it is where you move the tool to before you do a tool change.

To simulate that in your program, you could put in tool offsets for all the tools or you could just put in an offset from the G50 to the machine zero. By default that is where all programs should start from.

The G28 command also has X(or U) and Z(or W) parameters. They move the tool to an intermediate point before going to the machine zero.

G1X0Z-1;
G28U0Z.5;

This G28 moves the drill out of the part before returning to the machine zero. Without the Z.5 parameter the drill is broken off in the part.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave,

The G28 should work just like you described. The commanded axes first move to the commanded position, then move to the machine zero point. You can set NCPlot to show G00 moves as non-interpolated. This is on the machine configuration dialog on the control options tab. The only thing not supported is the tool offsets. Did you try the new beta? Let me know if you see something that doesn't work.

Thanks,
Scott

I would like to make a request.

CIMCO Edit is a tool similar to yours. It has a nice user interface, one feature of which I wish you would consider adopting. It automatically and dynamically refreshes the plot. The biggest reason I did not buy it was it is far behind your program when it comes to lathe simulation. Yours works and CIMCO Edit doesn't. I called them on it and they said their programmers just concentrate on mill stuff. (chair)

Predator Editor does many of the lathe g-code commands the right way but its back plot feature is so bad I laughed at it. (nuts) Yours is way better.

The thing that makes an automatic update option so cool to use is you can put it in a mode where it always updates the graphics the instant you change a parameter of code. Say you are editing a program and you think to your self I better move that just a little and so you change a 4 to a 4.5 and as you type it in, the line in the graphics window jumps over to the new position.

Another feature I would like to see is dynamic "plot to". When this is selected the program dynamically plots to the position of the cursor. Move the cursor to another line in the g-code and the plot updates and stops there. An offshoot of this feature is to have the plot show the full program plotted but a cutter is shown on the plot with the position at the position of the cursor in the g-code.


Even if you do not like my ideas I want to thank you for such a great tool. Keep up the good work.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave,

The G28 should work just like you described. The commanded axes first move to the commanded position, then move to the machine zero point. You can set NCPlot to show G00 moves as non-interpolated. This is on the machine configuration dialog on the control options tab. The only thing not supported is the tool offsets. Did you try the new beta? Let me know if you see something that doesn't work.

Thanks,
Scott

Where is the machine zero in the plot window? It can not be at the G54 zero.

I see what you did. You have it moving the cutter to X0.0Z0.0. That is not what the G28 command really does and there is no value in that. It would just cause a crash.

The G28 command moves the cutter to machine zero (while going through the intermediate position). As an example G28U0W0 moves the cutter directly to the machine zero.

Please see my example above and note that I edited it because I screwed it up the first time around. :tired:


Dave

Hi Dave,

The axis lines on the display always show the machine zero. To properly show the G28 moves, you would have to enter a location for the work offset. I could see where this might be confusing though, because now you wouldn't see the spindle centerline. What if I gave you the option to show the axis lines at the work zero instead of the machine zero?

The only reason I don't have the viewport refreshing automatically is because on large programs this process can take a awhile. I'll take another look at this, though. I could always add an option to turn it off.

I really like the idea of the plot following the cursor. This would work similar to the scroll bar, but on the edit window. I will probably add this.

Thanks very much for the kind words! I little encouragement goes a long way.

Thanks,
Scott

MetLHead,

Do you have any plans for writing software to use as a CAM processor? Meaning import Solid Models and produce tool path like WaterLine Roughing and Finishing? Your NC Plot V1.1 is great for a lot of things, but I would be great if you could develope a true affordable CAM Program.

Presently I have BobCad V20.6, and have been using it since V17. I'm growing tired of making WaterLine Roughing Cycles Manually. It takes too long and I always have to improvise to get it to work.

Just a suggestion in the hopes that you may want to do somethine like this.

:cheers:

Tobyaxis,

For a while I thought about starting a simple 2.5D CAD / CAM application, but I just don't have the time to put into it. So I decided to just concentrate on developing NCPlot. Even after it's release, NCPlot is going to need a lot of attention. The next version will get started, as well as updates and bug fixes.

Thanks,
Scott

Hi Dave,

. . . What if I gave you the option to show the axis lines at the work zero instead of the machine zero?
. . .


That would be perfect!

Hi Dave,

. . .
The only reason I don't have the viewport refreshing automatically is because on large programs this process can take a awhile. I'll take another look at this, though. I could always add an option to turn it off.

. . .


Yea, you are right, it has to be able to be turned off for that reason. I admit that my use of NCPlot is for lathe work only and lathe programs are not normally going to get too big.

Scott

My power was out all day today and that is why it has taken me so long to respond.

I just sent you $75 for the software. Thanks for all the hard work.

Would you consider implementing the U and W incremental commands for lathe work? Or are they already in there? The example from above is very useful.

Cheers
Dave

Scott

My power was out all day today and that is why it has taken me so long to respond.

I just sent you $75 for the software. Thanks for all the hard work.

Would you consider implementing the U and W incremental commands for lathe work? Or are they already in there? The example from above is very useful.

Cheers
Dave

Thanks Dave, I just sent you your key.

The U and W incremental axis commands are already there. :)

Thanks,
Scott

Scott

Please take a look at what the U and Z parameters do with the G28.

G28U0W0

This should send the tool directly to machine zero in both X and Z. But not in a linear move.

G28X3.W0

This should pull the grooving tool straight out of the cut to a diameter of 3 inches and then send both axes off to machine zero.

G28W0

This should pull the drill all the way out to the Z machine zero.

I hope I have this right, I am still learning all this stuff.

Cheers
Dave

Dave,

I just did a quick check and found that the G28 command is NOT recognizing the U and W addresses. This is my fault, and I will make sure this gets fixed.

Thanks,
Scott

Hi Dave,

. . .

The only reason I don't have the viewport refreshing automatically is because on large programs this process can take a awhile. I'll take another look at this, though. I could always add an option to turn it off.

I really like the idea of the plot following the cursor. This would work similar to the scroll bar, but on the edit window. I will probably add this.

. . .


Thanks,
Scott

This is so exciting. Adding these two options together yields a tool that works without having to push any graphics buttons. It just follows along with your programming as you type it.


:banana:

MetLHead,

Do you have any plans for writing software to use as a CAM processor? Meaning import Solid Models and produce tool path like WaterLine Roughing and Finishing? Your NC Plot V1.1 is great for a lot of things, but I would be great if you could develope a true affordable CAM Program.

Presently I have BobCad V20.6, and have been using it since V17. I'm growing tired of making WaterLine Roughing Cycles Manually. It takes too long and I always have to improvise to get it to work.

Just a suggestion in the hopes that you may want to do somethine like this.

:cheers:

You may want to look at CamBam. There is a thread in the Coding forum.

RipperSoftware

Blank lines in the g-code cause the slider to track out of phase.

Dave,

Are you saying that this causes the highlighted block to not match the entity on the viewport?

I've been doing some work on the slider/auto refresh/auto tracking stuff so it may be fixed already. But, I'd like to be sure.

Thanks,
Scott

Yes, that is what I am saying.

Blank lines in the g-code cause the slider to track out of phase.

Dave,

I have not been able to reproduce this. Does the problem persist after refreshing the viewport? Can you send me a sample program that you're having trouble with?

Thanks,
Scott

I deleted all the blank lines out of the program to see if it would fix the problem and it did.

If I can make it do it again I will send it to you.

I have been playing with the NCPlot Bata22, and so far it has done a great job in Plotting G-Code. The Subprogram feature is great. Now I will attempt Macros. Being that I have to learn Macro Type Programming, NCPlot will be an excellent tool for education. The $75.00 payment will be made next month.

Outstanding Software Scott

Thanks
:cheers:

Wow, thanks! It's great that you're learning how to program with macros. I think macro programming is underappreciated especially with modern CAD/CAM. But once you learn it, you begin to see lots of interesting applications for it. So keep us up to date with your progress, and if you want, post some programs here.

Thanks,
Scott

I will, when I program one that works :D . I'm a self taught CNC Programmer with Lathes, Mills, and 6 axis Swiss Screw Machines with Live Tooling + Sub Spindle. Macros are a lot more in depth than common G-Code. Tjones is on this site from time to time and he uses Macros for a 5 Axis Grinder. I'll email him this weekend because he may be really interested in this wonderful software you have created. Maybe he can send me some Macros to try too.

I do have one from a friend that wrote a macro for me. It was for the Swiss. The Macro he wrote put a ellipse cam on the front of a part. The shop didn't have a 4th axis for the Mill so we improvised. The Macro took 4 days non stop to write and rewrite to get it right. Macros open a whole new world for me to program what ever I want.

Thanks Again, I'll have payment for you next month in August. Keep up the Great Work. If I get any good ideas for you to add I'll email you.


:cheers:

I deleted all the blank lines out of the program to see if it would fix the problem and it did.

If I can make it do it again I will send it to you.

Hi Dave,
Have you had a chance to try beta 23? Do you still have this problem with the blank lines?

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

Here is a JPEG image for everyone to view a possible NCPlot 4th axis Indexing simulation at 0, 90,180,270 Degree Index locations.

I'm not sure on how difficult this would be for you to program, but here's the Pic.

Hey Toby,

I looked at the 4th axis program you sent and I've attached a pic of what it looks like in NCPlot. This plot was made in beta 23, so you should be able to duplicate this. To create this, you need to go into the machine configuration and set the 4th axis identifier to "A" to set the axis name of your rotary axis. Then select the option for "Rotates around the X axis". Then I set the G54 Z work offset to 2.0 so that the drawings of the 4 sides weren't on top of each other.

Thanks,
Scott

Hey Toby,

I looked at the 4th axis program you sent and I've attached a pic of what it looks like in NCPlot. This plot was made in beta 23, so you should be able to duplicate this. To create this, you need to go into the machine configuration and set the 4th axis identifier to "A" to set the axis name of your rotary axis. Then select the option for "Rotates around the X axis". Then I set the G54 Z work offset to 2.0 so that the drawings of the 4 sides weren't on top of each other.

Thanks,
Scott

WOW, that's Great!!!!! :banana: Just one more question. Will it do 3 Axis surfaces like this on all sides? :D I'm just wondering. Oh can you post the program for this too. I'd like to have a looksee as to to format you used.

Nice work!!!!!!!
Thanks Scott

Toby,

Here's the program. It's the one you sent me along with the IGS files. :rolleyes:

Beta 23 shows a straight line for rotary moves, but beta 24 will show a curve for feed moves that include the rotary axis. I'll write an example and post a pic.

Scott

Toby,

Here's the program. It's the one you sent me along with the IGS files. :rolleyes:

Beta 23 shows a straight line for rotary moves, but beta 24 will show a curve for feed moves that include the rotary axis. I'll write an example and post a pic.

Scott

Crap, I should have used a repeating sub-program for that. Oh Well. :D

Thanks!!!!!!!
Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!

BTW; Your supposed to be on Vacation this week right?
:cheers:

I'm home now, so I'm catching up on some messages. :drowning:

As an example, here are some pics of a 4th axis program in beta 24. I just took some lettering and used the address adjustment tools to convert the Y axis moves to rotary moves.

Thanks,
Scott

I'm home now, so I'm catching up on some messages. :drowning:

As an example, here are some pics of a 4th axis program in beta 24. I just took some lettering and used the address adjustment tools to convert the Y axis moves to rotary moves.

Thanks,
Scott


Words cannot express what is in my mind right now. You really know what your doing I'll give you that. COOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Words cannot express what is in my mind right now. You really know what your doing I'll give you that. COOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Thanks Toby,

It's nice to see you so fired up about my work :)

Scott

Thanks Toby,

It's nice to see you so fired up about my work :)

Scott

I truely love all froms of machining and CAD/CAM. This may be a little early but are you considering 5 Axis for your NCPlot Software. :D This has been an intrest of mine for 3 years. It's the only one I've not had the oppertunity to do yet.

Being able to plot 5 axis has been brought up, but I'm not ready to tackle this yet. There are lots of different configurations of 5 axis machines, which makes it tough to figure out the math. But, this has been added to the wish list.

Scott

Being able to plot 5 axis has been brought up, but I'm not ready to tackle this yet. There are lots of different configurations of 5 axis machines, which makes it tough to figure out the math. But, this has been added to the wish list.

Scott


Sorry Scott,

I don't want to take the responsibility for making your life difficult. :D 5 Axis Can wait for another 3 years or so. It would be fun to use 5 axix though
:cheers:

All I can say is WOW! The 4th axis stuff just answers alot of what I want to do in the future. Dollars for the license well spent. You are moving along much faster than I can keep up with, but that is OK.

RipperSoftware