Absolute or Incremental IJ Modes in DCAM?

[ATRepair]

How do I change between Absolute and Incremental IJ Modes in Dolphin CAM?
Is it just part of the Mach3 Post Processing or is there a place to select it?

[metalworkz]

Hello,
If you only use Mach3 and Dolphin I would just change the IJ Mode setting in Mach3. Even if you use other CAM packages it is very easy to change the IJ Mode in Mach3 and if needed you can change it back just as quick for a different software. The setting has only 2 choices Abs(absolute) or Inc(incremental) and is easy to change with a radio button selection. I believe you will find it under the Config tab, general config. if I remember correctly.

[ATRepair]

Yes, it is very simple to change the IJ mode in Mach3. It has worked for me in the past with files given to me by other people.
The problem is that I have the usual extra arcs that come with having the wrong mode when I'm using Incremental but get "radius to end of arc...." error in Absolute mode.
I'm assuming that the post processing code is generated by DCAM using absolute but something does not work properly.
I'm new and don't know what questions to ask to get the answers to make it work properly. Maybe I don't have the Mach3 post processor setup correctly in CAM? I'm not sure. It's probably another one of those things that is right in front of me.

Here is my code that is generated:
( Produced :- 14:42:53 Thursday, July 08, 2010 )
( CNC File :- clamp )
( Post Processor :- M_MACH3 )
( Part Number ID :- )
N5G00G20G17G90G40G49G80
N6G49
N7T1M06 ( End mill )
N8G00G43Z1.9685H1
N9S500M03
N10G94
N11X-0.125Y0.0
N12Z0.125
N13G01Z-0.5F20.0
N14X-0.125Y0.375
N15G02X0.125Y0.125I0.125J0.375
N16X0.375Y0.375I0.125J0.375
N17X0.125Y0.625I0.125J0.375
N18G01X0.6349Y0.625
N19G02X0.4896Y-0.1254I2.4989J-0.1254
N20X2.4989Y-2.1347I2.4989J-0.1254
N21X4.5082Y-0.1254I2.4989J-0.1254
N22X4.3628Y0.625I2.4989J-0.1254
N23G01X4.875Y0.625
N24G02X4.625Y0.375I4.875J0.375
N25X4.875Y0.125I4.875J0.375
N26X5.125Y0.375I4.875J0.375
N27G01X5.125Y0.0
N28G02X5.0Y0.125I5.0J0.0
N29X4.875Y0.0I5.0J0.0
N30X5.0Y-0.125I5.0J0.0
N31G01X3.9873Y-0.125
N32G02X4.2373Y0.125I3.9873J0.125
N33X3.9873Y0.375I3.9873J0.125
N34X3.7373Y0.125I3.9873J0.125
N35X3.7407Y0.0835I3.9873J0.125
N36G03X3.7582Y-0.1254I2.4989J-0.1254
N37X2.4989Y-1.3847I2.4989J-0.1254
N38X1.2395Y-0.1254I2.4989J-0.1254
N39X1.257Y0.0835I2.4989J-0.1254
N40G02X1.2604Y0.125I1.0104J0.125
N41X1.0104Y0.375I1.0104J0.125
N42X0.7604Y0.125I1.0104J0.125
N43X1.0104Y-0.125I1.0104J0.125
N44G01X0.0Y-0.125
N45G02X0.125Y0.0I0.0J0.0
N46X0.0Y0.125I0.0J0.0
N47X-0.125Y0.0I0.0J0.0
N48G00Z1.9685
N49M09
N50M30
%

It should look like this:


Here are some screen shots of what is going on in Mach3:


--------------

[ATRepair]

Here are some pictures of tests I just did on a simple shape.
I drew the same basic shape with the Incremental and Absolute button in each position in the D-CAD program and did not see any change.

Here are some images to help see the trouble. It looks like it is more than just the IJ mode...

Basic Shape:


Incremental:


Absolute:


I'm guessing the Absolute is the correct mode but the arcs are wrong.

[metalworkz]

Hello,
Which post processor are you using to create the program files? M_MACH3.ppr??

In the CAM side click the 'Execute' tab along the top and then 'Post Process' in the drop down menu. You can select the post processor in drop down menu in the text box marked 'Post Processor name'. I have been using the M_MACH3.ppr since I started using Dolphin with Mach3. I did have some problems with the unit of measure conflicting between Mach and DCAM at first, but don't recall any problems with the arcs etc.

[ATRepair]

Yes, that is the file I am using.

[andre-dolphin]

Hello,

Not sure why you are having problems, attached zip file contains an example job, similar to yours with a Word doc showing screen images and the post I am using.

Mach config set to Abs arcs.

Try the attached post.

ATB
Andre

[ATRepair]

Andre,
Thanks for the help. I copied the post processor files over my existing ones (which showed they were the same size) and it appears to work.

[metalworkz]

Hello,
So what could have happened in this case, corrupted post processor files? I would just like to figure it out for future reference.

[ATRepair]

That's my guess, they must have been corrupt. It's all I changed and it's working now.

Thanks again everyone for the help. Here is a picture of my first part. It is not overly impressive, just some clamps to hold my small router for engraving. (the blue nylon)

[metalworkz]

The motor clamps look great! Glad Andre was able to get you taken care of. If and when you make more parts it would be great if you can post them here for everyone to see.

[John S.]

The problem has arisen because a Guy called Steve Blackmore who uses Absolute arcs supplied a post file to Dolphin and this was released.

Most people use Incremental arcs.

There is a file kicking about that's called Mach3inc.ppr, this is for incremental arcs.

John S.