Cutting at multiple depths.. looping ??

[esmiller]

I have a question about how do dosomething in MACH3, which I am sure would is simple, but I am unable to figure it out.

When I use TURBOCNC, I use a gcode that uses a repeitive loop, based on current location. The code is as follows:

F50
G01 z.2
g00 X14 Y0
F42.0
#1=14.00 ; Material width
#2=.175 ; Width Of cut per pass
g00 z-.02
#3 = #1 F50 ; Set first cut depth & Feed rate
N0100 #3=[#3-#2] ; Start of loop, compute new depth
G00 y0 x#3 F50
G00 y12 x#3 F50; Set new Row
IF #3 GT 0 M97 O0100 ; Jump to start of loop (if not done)
N0300 M02 ; Program End


Unfortunately, this code will not run in MACH3. I don't think MACH3 supports the M97 command, if I recall the problem correctly.

My question is: how would the best way of converting this to MACH3 compatibility? I use this same way to cut out a part at increasing depths, by using the variable to set the Z depth, thus I can cut out a part to a max Depth of .75 inches in increments of .05 Inches, while only having the actual cutting code entered one time, instead of for each incremental depth.

Hope this question makes sense.. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Eddie

[ger21]

The latest versions of Mach3 have a wizard to cut in multiple passes. It will convert your single pass code to multiple passes.

With previous versions, you could use the Multipass, which is (was?) on the main page.

[esmiller]

I was never able to understand how the Multipass worked.. should I remove all the Z depth commands from my G-Code and allow MACH3 to determine hem, or should he program ignore all Z commands, etc.. ?

Perhaps I should D/L the newer version, and see if i have better luck with it ...

Eddie

[ger21]

I believe the new wizard is replacing the multipass. I haven't tried the wizard, but your right, the multipass is/ was a bit tricky to figure out. It does work good after a bit of trial and error.

I think with either method, you're g-code should be to the final (full) depth.

[Switcher]

I'm not sure about Mach, You have some lower case letter "G-commands", & "Axis-letters" Does that matter ?

g00 z-.02

Also is this supposed to be "GOTO"? And, does "Mach" support "GOTOB"?

IF #3 GT 0 M97 O0100 ; Jump to start of loop (if not done)

Should this be "N0100" ?

IF #3 GT 0 M97 O0100 ; Jump to start of loop (if not done)

Also does the "If' have to have a "EndIf", and what are you asking in your code, "IF #3" what? What is your condition, for the "If"?

IF #3 GT 0 M97 O0100 ; Jump to start of loop (if not done)

Is this a part of a larger program, a sub program?

You might want to just start over, write it out by hand in notepad, etc. or If you post your entire program, maybe we could get a better idea what your trying to do.

.

[esmiller]

NO.. that is the entire program, and it runs perfectly in TurboCNC. It is just that TurboCNC is not even 1/5 as fast as MACH3 is. I use this program to cut (Level(?)) the top of my sacrificial table whenever i replace it., but I would rather let MACH3 do it, since it runs so much faster. I just don't know how to program it ..

As for the lowercase Z, it does not appear to cause any problems, but I should fix that. It was just a personal program, and i never cleaned it up since I never expected it to be viewed by anyone else until now.

Also the O0100 seems to be the proper form to use when you are referencing where it is going TO, as aopposed to a location where it is at.. if that makes any sense at all.. I pulled this originally from another G-Code source, and played with it until I got it working correctly, and was able to make it do what I wanted when I wanted to do it..

The 'IF' statement seems to hang by itself with no requirement for an ENDIF as is necessary in programming. There was no ENDIF in the original program.
The GT in the same line means:
IF (variable) #3 is GT (GREATER THAN) 0 M97(jump to routine) O01000

[Switcher]

I'm not sure how you Define anything in Mach (With 840D, I do it at the top of the page before any code) Like Counter in the code below

I didn't know the max length in "Y", I'm thinking the length in "X" was 14.00

I assume you will use a endmill, and zero the tool face to the table top surface before running the code below.

% ; Start program

G90 ; Absolute

G00 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 F50 ; Send all axis home

G91 ; Incremental

FOR Counter1 = 1 TO 3 ; Loop 3 times. depth in "Z"

G91 ; Incremental

G01 Z-0.5 F50 ; Infeed "Z"

FOR Counter2 = 1 TO 40 ; Loop 40 times

G91 ; Incremental

G01 X-14.0 F50 ; Infeed "X"

G01 Y-0.175 F50 ; Infeed "Y"

G01 X14.0 F50 ; Return "X"

G01 Y-0.175 F50 ; Infeed "Y"

ENDFOR ; End loop

G90 ; Absolute

G00 Z0.0 F50 ; Send axis home

G00 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 F50 ; Send all axis home

G91 ; Incremental

G01 Z-0.5 F50 ; Infeed "Z"

ENDFOR ; End loop

G90 ; Absolute

G00 Z0.0 F50 ; Send axis home

G00 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 F50 ; Send all axis home

M30 ; End of program

If the code above works for you, you might want to adjust the feed on the return home, so your not waiting all day for all axis to go home.
Example:

G00 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 F50 ; Send all axis home

G00 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 F250 ; Send all axis home

I don't know what kind of machine your running (Homebuilt etc.) as far as the Rapid Feed goes, you don't want to lose steps, again though, your only using it to level a table.

I don't know If this was any help, heck I don't even know If Mach supports "FOR - ENDFOR"

Run at your own risk, I don't know your exact situation. So go slow, the first few cuts.




.

[Barker806]

You could use the surface wizard and save your setting This will make it so you could shange any think you like...

Hope that helps
Brian

[esmiller]

My ignorance is showing through again... What is the surfacing wizard?? don't recall seeing this one..

Eddie

You could use the surface wizard and save your setting This will make it so you could shange any think you like...

Hope that helps
Brian

[Barker806]

It should be in the Mach3 wizards... I have it here.. press the load wizards button on the screen and it is called surface.

Hope that helps
Brian