Ok geeezzz... Im so lost with the G-code and the Cam programing. I finally got my machine going it can cut the famous RoadRunner from Mach 3. But other then that, I can not tell it to do what I want. I know it a steep learning curve but it seem im strugle quite a lot.

So this is the step correct?

You draw a simple shape in Rhino, save it as DXF.

Import it to Lazy Cam from Mach (what exactly am I suppose to do with it in here? Let say I just want to cut a letter " H " . I need to set the dept correct? that about it? )

I generate the g-code, load the g-code into Mach 3 and just start?

Well, it never seem to go that well, I see the project in Lazy cam fine. But when I import to Mach 3, I don't really see my object the same as I would see in LazyCam.... and it never seem to cut the entire thing?

Would someone please just draw out a dxf file of a letter or something... and also make a LazyCam file out of it and let me try it?


Anywhere I can get some Dvd's tutorial? :(

There are 5 LazyCAM tutorial videos here. Click on the link and go to the "videos" folder.
Some may show older versions of LazyCAM, though.
ftp://anonymous:guest@machsupport.com/

It's a steep learning curve, that's for sure but once you get going, it will come to you fast.

You have the basics down. You draw your part, DXF out, Go to LazyCam and load your DXF, then output to Mach.

Now, when you draw your part, you need to draw it accurately and to scale. This scale (drawing units) needs to be the same as the units your machine runs in. If your machine is scaled in inches, draw in inches. The drawing package (Rhino in your case) will output your drawing in units. It has no idea if these units are inches, millimeters or miles and it doesn't care. Same with Lazycam and same with your machine. A unit is a unit. That seems to be a stumbling block for a lot of beginners - sounds like you might have that licked, though.

Next - when you draw, you need to draw cleanly. No overlapping lines, no open lines, no unnecessary short line segments. Overlapping lines will cut twice and open lines (or short line segments) will cause a lot of unwanted retracts. Z will retract at the end of each segment - even if they are end to end, unless you join them together. I am not sure how to polyedit lines in Rhino, sorry. Watch out for stray points, too.

Once in LazyCam you might be on your own. I use an older version of it as the newer version kinda sucks for now, so I don't think the way I use it would make a whole lot of sense to you.

I am sure we can help you after you run through some of the tutorials. There are a lot of folks here that are experts at this stuff, but just don't have the time to start from scratch.

Scott

Thanks Scott,

Clear enough about the Unit stuff, I think this might be one of my problem.

Allthough I've been trying it all night and this is what going on... Take a look at a image which I draw 2 simple shape (rectangular and circle and imported to LazyCam).

Nice and clean enough? I did not set any depth and so forth... just clean it in lazy cam and generate g-code... the problem is, when I import that g-code to Mach 3... in my JOB DISPLAY, it does not display the entirely correct project. Take a look at the below image.

LazyCam - http://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shapesxu5.jpg

Mach 3 - http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=machshapescy5.jpg

So what happen, it only cut 1/4 of the circle... and it stop... This is odd is because I drew the cicle as ONE LIne... .because it a circle. Also in lazy cam, it only show up as one CHAIN...

What did I do wrong?

I note wa few things froim your Mach 3 screen shot.
1). You have not referenced your machine. Read section 6.6.2 of the Mach 3 manual.

2). You have soft limits, off. Do You want to hit the stops by accident? Refer 1 above for this to have any meaning.

3). I notice you are using G91. Do you intend Incremental Mode, referenced to what?

4). Is the circled clipped because of the limits of your machine.

At least:
1).Reference the machine.
2).Move the table to mid travel away from the stops. Head up and clear of work area.
3).Select an offset table to use. Say 50. In MDI or program G59P50
4).Zero each axis.
5).Load your program. Put a line in it like GF59 P50.
6). Have you seen a later version of Mach3 with Z inhibit on this screen?
This can be set to say 10, then the tool won't come too low while you check things out.

RTFM

(Read the F...riendly Manual)

Keep tinkering. You will get it eventually.

:wave:

Hey Bud,

1. Yes I did reference my machine (the mach 3 I showed in the pic is the one on my laptop, which is not hook to the machine, because I use my desktop.... )

2. I couldn't get the soft limit to work correctly, therefore I didn't use it. But I do have home switch and limit switch enable, so the machine should run safe.


3. I have no idea what is this G91 is.


4. Not really, because I only see like 1/8 of the circle when there's still more space in the Job display box that can show more of the circle.. but it doesn't.


What seem to be so akward is that how come it cutted the rectangular shape by itself completed... but not the circle?

The machine will have some axis limits in the setup.
I believe you are trying to make it work outside these limits.
You should do ALL of the Mach3 setup so you have less mysteries.
Make sure inch/metric settings are as desired.
Are the axis calibrated?
I assume you have hard limit switches each end of each axis. That's good.

I have had this problem of clipping near the setup limits.

Can't help any further. Sorrey.

Can you post all the g-code?

Hey,

here's the DXF

http://helivu.com/images/cncstuff/shapes002.dxf

here's the g-code

http://helivu.com/images/cncstuff/shapes002.tap

thanks

3. i have no idea what is this g91 is.



G91 puts the Control (Mach3) into incremental mode.


.

Here is your g-code plotted in NcPlot (1/4 circle).

.

So what did I do wrong in Lazy Cam? how come it only draw 1/4 of the circle... when In lazy cam as you see I had the entire circle... Is it because it not a full version of Lazy Cam?

Im using the free version of Lazy cam and so on with Mach 3.

The demo of LazyCAM has a 50 line limit. You can do a circle with 1 line, but your CAD program is breaking it into a lot of little straight segments.

Hey Gerry,

So you're saying tha problem is relying on my software? beacause it's not the full version, therefor it didn't coded the entire project?

But quite expensive to get the Mach 3 and the Lazy cam.... this is getting out of hand on the budget im spending.... :(

LazyCAM output exactly 50 lines of code, which is the limit of the demo.

There are plenty of free CAD and CAM options available, use the google search of this site.

I got the full version of Rhino, so I think Im ok... all I need is Cam, I think I like Mach 3. So what's a good free Cam program I can get? some idea?

Thanks

Try this one.
http://www.gsimple.eu/index.html

Hey jimmy, I,m right there with ya on the steep learning curve. Your problem is similar to one I had when I first got my cnc mill going(Spectralight aka cnc sherline) What I noticed when I drew stuff out in a cad program (such as Progecad) and then imported into Spectracam. Is that my object was not in the cutting area, I had to move my imported object into the cutting area. Usually I did this in the cam part. Progecad is a full working demo with save and export options working. Rhino looked like a good program to me but I,m currently learning Mastercam aka very steep learning curve. Good luck!!

Ok, so I try to use GSimple and it seem to work, at least when I import to Mach 3, I see my entire project. But more problem, I create my name in Gsimple Cam (engrave). When I import to Mach 3, I see the whole text in the correct orientation.

"Jimmy" as as I would see it in Mach 3, but when it cut, it actually cut out the reflection of my name.... So what do I have to change?

But I though I set up my X, Y and Z correctly, because on my arrow on the keyboard.... If I move left the X axis move left. This is when I look in front of the machine. When I push forward arrow, Y go up (which is away from the front). When I use the Page UP arrow, the Z go up and page down the Z go down (meaning engrave to the parts).

Which way is correct would depend on the type of machine. But It sounds like you need to reverse your X axis.

I don't think change the X will fix it, looking top down, look like it cutting the reflection of the text... meaning everything is reverse. But by any chance it might cut it correctly? Since I create the text as ENGRAVING.... isn't that mean cutting through the material.

Because if i actually cut the part and turn it over.. then everything is correct if it cut through the material...

???

Scale X or Y axis by minus ONE. (-1)

You may have to find where the zero is as the mirroring will be around zero.

Yep, sounds like you need to reverse the X axis, on some machines it's better to think of the tool moving, not the bed so if your bed is moving left, you immagine the tool moving right.

Mach3 has a demo line limit too. Jimmyaz if you think the price of Mach3 and Lazycam is out of control expensive ($159) I suggest you quit now while you're still ahead.

Hey Mike,

thanks, I do understand, it not the 159.99 that is expensive, I'm addictied to rc helicopter... and a set of blades after a crash is 100.00.

The deal is... Im not sure whether if im smart enough for this stuff or not... so I'm trying to not to spend and spend and spend and at the end just quit like u mention. Also I did not know how well my machine work out... What if I buy a good software and my machine suck? then I have to go buy a new machine in in order to make the software worthed.

But yesterday I can draw and cut out some text, doesn't loook so bad. So yes, I will probably will purchase Mach3.

Jimmyaz,

Good for you. If you need any help let me know. I bought a K2CNC router and I have made some very nice parts. Seeing them come out so nice inspires me.

Jimmyaz,

Good for you. If you need any help let me know. I bought a K2CNC router and I have made some very nice parts. Seeing them come out so nice inspires me.

Oh yea, I know what you mean... I can barely cut out my name on a woodfloor board and it make me happy... :D

If there a place where I can learn to use what bit for what type of work? I don't know much about bit and type of bit.

I will mostly try to cut parts for my helicopter.... G-10 and Carbon... Since they are so expensive materials, so I won't be cutting them for now... Just wood and aluminum (1-2mm).

Thanks

for G-10 i use a 1/8 diamond pattern tool with a plungeable tip witch i find is good up to a 1/4 inch run at 24000-26100 rpm and 30 ipm.
for carbon same tool depending upon mat thickness.
good luck