Mach2 inverted engraving

[engraver]

Mach2 show on the screen the image the correct way, however when is executed it turn out to be Up side Down and Back to Front. Any suggestion of what happens??
Thank you

[HomeCNC]

Sounds like you have the axis directions backwards. Make sure that when you set your direction up that you are looking at the TOOL not the table. If you move the X axis in the positive direction the TOOL must move that way, the table will move the opposite way.

[engraver]

Jeff,
from keyboard the axis move the right way, on the screen the (green) toolpath line follows the image correctly but the engraving is still upside down and back to front. If I change anything else than the axis will move the wrong way.
Thanks

[HomeCNC]

I should find out what style your machine is. Is your CNC like a standard vertical mill or does it have a moving gantry?

So when you press the 'Right Arrow' key which way does the table move or the gantry move?

If you have the axis setup correctly then I don't have an answer for you.

[engraver]

Its a fixed gantry style. The work table Y move from south(home) to north, above it the X is homed to the left hand and Z all the way up. When moving the DRO display "+...." for X & Y and "-..." for Z. Same engraving file if used with a software other than Mach2 is cut the right way but the sotware makes the motor sound terrible.The Right Arrow makes X move to the right.
Thanks

[HomeCNC]

I still think you have one axis not correctly setup in Mach 2. But were getting close now. Tell me, is your plan to HOME in the positive direction for X and Y OR is it to home in the negitive direction for X and Y. I can see that you home in the positive direction for Z (UP).

How about the UP/Down arrow. Which way does the moving table move?

[balsaman]

I would have to agree with Jeff, try changing the direction of the moving table axis and try again.

Eric

[engraver]

Operator facing machine:
X homed= +0 to left side, right arrow move it to right, DRO always +....
Y homed= +0 toward operator, up arrow moves it away from operator, DRO always +....
Z homed all up=+0, DRO changes from +...to -.... when moving.
Two Limit Swt. on each axis.
I suspect Home can be relocated.

Thanks

[HuFlungDung]

I know this may sound silly, but on a conventional mill, we refer to the spindle moving in X+, the spindle is not actually moving anywhere, but the table is feeding left. When the spindle is feeding in Y+, the spindle is not moving towards the machine column, but the table is moving away from the column.

So you see, it is a "frame of reference" problem. The best way to keep it all straight, is this: if the tool is cutting a path through the part, towards the right side of the part, that is an X+ movement.

That direction defines the universal "zero degree" direction, or start point. The left end of this line could be called X0Y0. Then starting from the right end of this cut line line and rotating around the left end point, counterclockwise, 90 degrees,(looking down on the table), you come to the Y+ axis. Any cut where the tool progresses towards that edge of the part is a Y+ movement.

Confused?

[hardmill]

+1 HU
The tool moves, I don't care what anybody says.
Thats the way I was taught and its served me well.
No confusion

PEACE

[engraver]

A "conventional" mill does not confuse me, I sit on one every day.
As a novice to cnc software setup Mach2 is not very clear in many areas,
it assumes everyone knows about it as much as its Author
and the same apply to many other cnc software out there.
Its a pity, if only the Author would make that extra effort no one
will object paying a bit more for it.
On the other hand if was too clear would a forum exist ??

[HuFlungDung]

Oh, sorry, I didn't know that you knew how it should look, but obviously, you already have a good handle on that.

So then, it should be a "simple matter" of changing your axis parameters around until it suits you, assuming your CAD software uses a conventional view.

If you cannot change your axis parameters in software (to invert the motions), then you can perhaps rewire your motor/encoders to run opposite rotation?