It's ALIVE!

[MrWild]

It has been an interesting and frustrating learning curve. I started out with crop circles for G2 and G3 movements, while drilling cycles were spot on. From there, Gremlins stuck their hands in wherever they could. One problem is the very old control gets glitchy if too many programs have been run through it and erased. If you don't cold boot it after five or six different program attempts, it adds it's own unexplained mayhem to the Gcode.

Another problem was that I have Dolphin set up on my house computer and a Freeware uploading program in the shop. This has always worked well for the most part when I used programming "freeware" CAM off the Net as I could have multiple seats on the different computers in house and shop. This allowed faster debugging, but when I went to Dolphin this benifit was no longer an option. That meant I had to save to a thumb drive. Saving to the thumb drive raised it's own Gremlins.

Because of the freeware uploader (NC Lite) on the shop computer, I needed to copy/paste the gcode put out by Dolphin into a word program. I've always had good luck saving in "Plain text" format, but for some reason my house computer started adding hidden code when saving. Have you ever tried to debug a problem when hidden code was also adding to the mess? Seriously frustrating and can make you snap at the missus (if you have one). I privately growled at Rodney and publicly appologize for that.

So, what did I learn? Oh, I learned a LOT. I can now turn on "N" numbering and set it to sequence by 1, 2, 5, 10 or whatever amount. I can insert spaces between "words" so the G moves stand out and X/Y/Z possitions stand out instead of all running together. I understand the use of $DELTA, Arc Quadrant, and Helix Vector for absolute possitioning in circlular interpolation. I can get Z to work in helical interpolation for circular drilling of pocket start possitions, and a few other things....

While I'm not anywhere near the pros that fix customer Posts, I think I have enough knowledge finally to be dangerous. The biggest bollocks I learned was one of my very first attempts at fixing the Post would have worked if not for the hidden code added during the transfer to my thumb drive. I found that the first post I ever tried worked with the single addition to the way the control read arc center possitioning. The cockup that kept it from working might have been the control needing to be cold booted after too many programming attempts, or the computer I use to upload needed a cold boot, or the hidden code, or gosh, just about any gremlin that managed to make the process of debuging a miserable lot.

At least in the end, I have a much more thorough understanding of how the Post Process works, and like anything, once you understand it, it no longer intimidates. I just shouldn't have growled at Rodney. Sorry about that.

[BrassBuilder]

"hidden code during a transfer to a thumb drive"

Interesting. I use a thumb drive to transfer my files from my laptop to the mill computer. The code runs fine to the end and then the Z axis will either go up or down until there is no where else to go. The last line of code is something like Z0. That should put the Z axis on the 0 position, correct? Most of the time the Z goes up at the end of the file, but I had it go down last week and drilled deeper into the part.

I wonder if this is related...

I wonder WHY the transfer to the thumb drive would put any sort of hidden code in.

Mike

[John S.]

If this controller is Mach 3 then be aware that mach NEEDS a carriage return at the end of the program to finish it's code.

I always set my post processors to read

G28 [ go to home ]
M30 [ stop all ]
[ carriage return]
% [ not read by program but forces it to read the previous line.]

The problem with finishing at say
G28
M30


Is that perhaps the carriage return isn't there.

John S.

[BrassBuilder]

I am using DolphinCad/Cam and the g-code that is generated through the CAM side of the package.

Is there anything special I need to do to the code before I run it? Do I just go to the end of the code and hit the "Enter" key?

Mike

[metalworkz]

Hi Mike,
I never have to do that when using the programs from Dolphin Partmaster. I guess that would be easy to try if you are having problems and that is what John S. had recommended. I am using Mach3 for the controller so that is different than yours to.
It sounds abnormal for there to be misc. garbage being added, make sure there isn't something in the word processor when you paste the program(check to see if it looks the same)
Regards,

[BrassBuilder]

Hi Wes,
I'm using Mach3 too. It is weird. The Z axis won't stop at the last line of code and will instead move all the way up as far as the head will go. Once it started going down instead. That was not good.

All that I do is copy the code from my laptop to the USB drive and then copy it right into Mach3 on the milling machine computer. All the code runs correctly until the end.

Mike

[metalworkz]

Mike,
I would recommend that you add and extra step when making the program. When all the toolpaths are done in the CAM click the 'Goto' button on the left side which brings up a window. In this window you can select GoHome, Retract, or Go To a specific location.
I use this to always bring my X & Y home and the Z to a set height(usually 2.0" so I cant do a toolchange, check the tool with a 1-2-3 block and when done know if my Z is set to the same height. But this is convenient when doing multiple parts as the machine is ready to start as soon as the next part is mounted and clamped. I think this will eliminate the problem you are experiencing with the Z taking off. Try it and see.
Regards,

[metalworkz]

Mike,
I also got in a habbit of checking the end of the program and my Z heights throughout the program to make sure the program starts, runs, and ends like I want it to. It does not take long with the search function in notepad and it helps to find things that are not exactly the way you want them before the machine is running.
Regards,

[BrassBuilder]

Originally Posted by metalworkz Mike, I would recommend that you add and extra step when making the program. When all the toolpaths are done in the CAM click the 'Goto' button on the left side which brings up a window. In this window you can select GoHome, Retract, or Go To a specific location. I use this to always bring my X & Y home and the Z to a set height(usually 2.0" so I cant do a toolchange, check the tool with a 1-2-3 block and when done know if my Z is set to the same height. But this is convenient when doing multiple parts as the machine is ready to start as soon as the next part is mounted and clamped. I think this will eliminate the problem you are experiencing with the Z taking off. Try it and see. Regards,

I'll give that a try on my next parts.
Thanks!

MrWild...I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but you might have gotten a problem fixed for me that I was going to ignore.
Mike

[John S.]

Mike, copy and paste the end of a program here.

John S.

[LeeWay]

I use Sheetcam myself to run Mach, but in Sheetcam, I can edit the post processor. I edited it to go to zero on all axes, but use safe Z height for Z, which on my mill is .1". You could also have it go to your tool change position if you wanted. Just about anywhere in the envelop is easily doable.
I don't run homes at all yet and may not ever because of the various setups I use. I don't use machine positioning either. I simply set the DRO's to zero when they are where I want them. I get away with this because I don't typically use any preset offsets.

It is simply easy enough to get the parts in the envelope and go to town. All my gcode centers are in the middle and touching the top of stock with the EM.
I sometimes use soft limits, but I have to zero all, then shut down, then set soft limits on start up. I know this isn't the right way to do this, but it simply works easily for my simple parts. I am learning more every day though.

Editing these in Sheetcam is pretty easy to do. Not sure about other cam PP's.

Anyway, this is what the end of my code looks like.

N4120 G00 Z0.1000
N4130 M05
N4140 G0 X0 Y0
N4150 M05 M30

This also returns Mach 3 to the start of the program.

[BrassBuilder]

Here is one of my g-code files. On this one, the Z goes DOWN into the part after the last line is run. It will go to Z0 and then start its trip down. On my other files, the Z goes up.
Mike


;( Produced :- 11:49:47 Monday, March 24, 2008 )
;( CNC File :- head soft plugs1 )
;( Post Processor :- M_Mach 3_inc )
;( Part Number ID :- )
;( Tools Used )
;( T01 0.094 End Mill)
N 20 G00 G20 G17 G90 G40 G49
N 40 M05
N 50 X0.0 Y0.0
N 60 M06 T01
N 70 M03
N 80 M04
N 90 S1000
N 100 G04 P2.0
N 110 S500
N 120 G04 P2.0
N 130 M08
N 140 X-0.112 Y0.125 F5.0
N 150 Z0.015
N 160 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 170 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 180 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 190 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 200 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 210 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 220 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 230 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 240 G01 Z-0.05 F1.25
N 250 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 260 G01 Z-0.06 F1.25
N 270 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 280 G01 Z-0.07 F1.25
N 290 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 300 G01 Z-0.08 F1.25
N 310 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 320 G01 Z-0.09 F1.25
N 330 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 340 G01 Z-0.1 F1.25
N 350 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 360 G00 Z0.015
N 370 S500
N 380 G04 P2.0
N 390 X-0.097
N 400 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 410 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 420 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 430 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 440 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 450 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 460 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 470 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 480 G00 Z0.015
N 490 S500
N 500 G04 P2.0
N 510 X0.138
N 520 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 530 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 540 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 550 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 560 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 570 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 580 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 590 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 600 G01 Z-0.05 F1.25
N 610 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 620 G01 Z-0.06 F1.25
N 630 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 640 G01 Z-0.07 F1.25
N 650 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 660 G01 Z-0.08 F1.25
N 670 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 680 G01 Z-0.09 F1.25
N 690 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 700 G01 Z-0.1 F1.25
N 710 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 720 G00 Z0.015
N 730 S500
N 740 G04 P2.0
N 750 X0.153
N 760 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 770 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 780 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 790 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 800 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 810 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 820 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 830 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 840 G00 Z0.015
N 850 S500
N 860 G04 P2.0
N 870 X-0.112 Y-0.125
N 880 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 890 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 900 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 910 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 920 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 930 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 940 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 950 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 960 G01 Z-0.05 F1.25
N 970 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 980 G01 Z-0.06 F1.25
N 990 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1000 G01 Z-0.07 F1.25
N 1010 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1020 G01 Z-0.08 F1.25
N 1030 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1040 G01 Z-0.09 F1.25
N 1050 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1060 G01 Z-0.1 F1.25
N 1070 G03 X-0.112 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1080 G00 Z0.015
N 1090 S500
N 1100 G04 P2.0
N 1110 X-0.097
N 1120 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 1130 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1140 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 1150 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1160 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 1170 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1180 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 1190 G03 X-0.097 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1200 G00 Z0.015
N 1210 S500
N 1220 G04 P2.0
N 1230 X0.138
N 1240 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 1250 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1260 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 1270 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1280 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 1290 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1300 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 1310 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1320 G01 Z-0.05 F1.25
N 1330 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1340 G01 Z-0.06 F1.25
N 1350 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1360 G01 Z-0.07 F1.25
N 1370 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1380 G01 Z-0.08 F1.25
N 1390 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1400 G01 Z-0.09 F1.25
N 1410 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1420 G01 Z-0.1 F1.25
N 1430 G03 X0.138 I-0.013 J0.0 F5.0
N 1440 G00 Z0.015
N 1450 S500
N 1460 G04 P2.0
N 1470 X0.153
N 1480 G01 Z-0.01 F1.25
N 1490 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1500 G01 Z-0.02 F1.25
N 1510 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1520 G01 Z-0.03 F1.25
N 1530 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1540 G01 Z-0.04 F1.25
N 1550 G03 X0.153 I-0.028 J0.0 F5.0
N 1560 G00 Z0.015
N 1570 G28 Z0.0
N 1580 M30
%