Need Help

[engle115]

Hey Guys, I have a problem that I think is coming from mach3. I load my g code which has been generated from meshcam. I'm making a cylinder and after the first cut (.05 deep) the z axis goes up to go reset to position 0.00 but is like a quarter of an inch off and goes to start the next .05 deep pass. Is there a setting or am I missing something? It's ruining every piece of wood I try to mill it out with. The G code shows it should be going back to the home spot so I know it isn't the code


thanks for any help

[IQChallenged]

There's probably no one less qualified to help someone than I am. But that sounds like the kind of problems I've had when I put SheetCam on a different computer and forget to select the Mach post processor. Just food for thought.

[engle115]

Well when I generated the G code in meshcam I chose the mach3 format. is that what you are talking about?

[IQChallenged]

Originally Posted by engle115 Well when I generated the G code in meshcam I chose the mach3 format. is that what you are talking about?

Not familiar with meshcam but it sounds like you've done the right thing there. I use SheetCam and it gives me a list of "post processors". You used the word "format". May be exactly the same thing. Hopefully some more experienced users will drop in and help out.

[ger21]

Sounds like you're Z axis is losing position. If the tool is not where the DRO says it should be, then that's what it is. Try reducing the Z axis acceleration by half.

[engle115]

I thought the same thing at first so I did but it is in the exact same spot each time. Is it a calibration thing? if so, how do I calibrate it?

[IQChallenged]

Originally Posted by engle115 I thought the same thing at first so I did but it is in the exact same spot each time. Is it a calibration thing? if so, how do I calibrate it?

I could tell you because that's one of the things I know how to do. But it would be better for you to go to YouTube. There's a high def vid there showing how one guy did it. The only thing I would criticize is that he used only 1/2" of travel while calibrating. I think you should use the longest travel you can. In other words-- tell your machine to go twenty inches (or however long you can go). Then measure to see what it actually traveled. You need nothing more than a common measuring tape to get a good result. Then you can use his vid to see how to fix it (if it needs fixin').

[ger21]

I don't think it's a calibration. Can you try to explain a little better what's happening? I'm not sure if I fully understand.

I'm making a cylinder and after the first cut (.05 deep) the z axis goes up to go reset to position 0.00 but is like a quarter of an inch off and goes to start the next .05 deep pass.

Are you saying when the Z DRO says 0.00, it's .25" off from where it should be? If so, then you're losing position. If it was moving the wrong amount, it would still be at 0.00 (wherever you set it) when the DRO says 0.00.