What I learned Today, including Photo's

[Smitty911]

Well after a long delay, I had the nerve to run an Actual CNC program on my KDN Tools CNC conversion. Here are a few of the items I've learned with the photo explainantions.

First CNC Attempt Photo:
1. Figure out which way the part is oriented in the Mach 3 program window.
2. Figure out what the offsets for X, Y, and Z.
3. Figure out the Inch Per Minute that you will be running in.
4. If you change a value in the G-Code, Know what you are changing.
5. If you Stop the program and start over with different feed rates, HOME the Mill and Check the Offsets
6. Have some method to remove the chips.
7. Make sure your tool will reach to the bottom of what your milling.

Second attempt covers the rest of the photos.
1. Make sure your Tool is long enough to do the job. You can see where it hit the tip.
2. MAKE sure you bolt the VISE down and SQUARE to the travel of MILL.
3. Repeat the above.

In the MACH 3 Window the Part is feeding to the RIGHT and the Mill the Part is moving to the LEFT, is that correct?

Thanks

Smitty

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Smitty,

If you cammand Mach3 to move in the +X direction, the table should move to the left. Moving in +Y should move the table away from the column, and moving in +Z should move the head up. Motion is always in terms of what direction the tool moves relative to the work. Sounds like you need to go to the pins and ports configuration page, and invert the sense of the DIR line on your X axis.
I've had my mill CNC'd for about four years now, and on almost every project I find some new and creative way to screw something up....

Regards,
Ray L.