mastercam info needed

[publitime]

hallo

is it possible to run a selfmade pvc milling machine with mastercam?
I have used the HP-stepper boards from
www.nc-step.com

[Rekd]

As long as your controller can read the output from Mastercam, it'll work fine.

'Rekd

[publitime]

hallo

now my controller is connected to the pc with a sub D parallel cabel.
The controller works with the step and dir controls.
Is that possible to run with mastercam.
Now i run the mill with PCNC.

[Rekd]

Does your controller read g-codes?

[publitime]

yes

my controller reads g code.
I means that i have to import a hpgl file now in PCNC.
PCNC translate the hpgl to g code and sent the data to the controller.

[Rekd]

Find or modify one of the posts from MC that's close to what you need and you should be all set.

[krsykes]

I run Mastercam v7.1 with Mach 2 controller on my new desktop CNC mill.
I can e-mail the post processor I use, for you to try it out.

[publitime]

yes

if possible mail me the postprosessor.
Thene i can tryout.

thanks

[turkgeltz]

I run version 8.1 of Mastercam at work and have at times made modifications to some of the port processors we use there for various reasons. I find that I treasure hunt thru it, make a change , and then try it to see if I got it right. I'm wondering where I can get some information, a manual or something so I could get a better handle on understanding the posts to alter them for desired results. ANy help much appreciated!!

[Rekd]

Originally posted by turkgeltz I run version 8.1 of Mastercam at work and have at times made modifications to some of the port processors we use there for various reasons. I find that I treasure hunt thru it, make a change , and then try it to see if I got it right. I'm wondering where I can get some information, a manual or something so I could get a better handle on understanding the posts to alter them for desired results. ANy help much appreciated!!

There's a (rather old) book you can get called Post Processor User Guide- September 1997, that is layed out fairly well. Another option is to get the Post CD from your dealer.

The best advice I can give you for now is to a) back up your post, and b) turn on debugging.

# --------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Debugging and Factory Set Program Switches
# --------------------------------------------------------------------------
fastmode    : no   #Posting speed optimizition
bug1        : 2     #0=No display, 1=Generic list box, 2=Editor
bug2        : 30     #Append postline labels, non-zero is column position?
bug3        : 0     #Append whatline no. to each NC line? 0
bug4        : 0     #Append NCI line no. to each NC line? 0
whatno      : yes   #Do not perform whatline branches? (leave as yes)

Then post your file and you'll see where in the post each line came from. This will help you figure out where you need to make changes.

%                             pheader
O0001                         pheader
(HOUSING.NCF)                 pheader
(JUL 05, 2004 10:10)          pheader
(MC9 FILE: -G_HOUSING)        pheader
(MACHINE: 3 AXIS)             pheader
(MATERIAL: ALUMINUM INCH - 6061)  pheader
(STOCK SIZE: X 4.45 Y 3.5 Z 1.)  pheader
(TOOL 1: DIA 0.5000  .500 HSS EM 2FL)  pwrtt
(OVERALL MAX Z1.)             psof
(OVERALL MIN Z-.72)           psof
N1 G00 G17 G40 G49 G80 G90 G20  psof
N2 M01                        psof ptlchg_com
( OPERATION: 1   CONTOUR )    psof popnumber
N3 ( TOP OP 1 )               psof pcomment
N4 T1 M06(T1: .500 HSS EM 2FL)  psof ptoolcomm
(MAX-DEPTH | Z-.72)           psof ptlchg_com
( TOOLPATH - CONTOUR)         psof p__1:908
( STOCK LEFT ON X & Y = -.35)  psof p__1:908
( STOCK LEFT ON Z = 0.)       psof p__1:908
N5 M03 S7500                  psof ptlchg_com
N6 G00 G90 G54 X-4.8 Y-2.175  psof ptlchg_com
N7 G43 H1 Z1. M08             psof ptlchg_com
N8 Z.11                       pzrapid prapidout
N9 G01 Z0. F50.               plin plinout
N10 G41 D1 X-4.75 F65.        plin plinout
N11 G03 X-4.25 Y-1.675 I0. J.5  pcir pcirout1
N12 G01 Y-.1                  plin plinout
N13 X-.1                      plin plinout
N14 Y-3.25                    plin plinout
N15 X-4.25                    plin plinout
N16 Y-1.675                   plin plinout
N17 G03 X-4.75 Y-1.175 I-.5 J0.  pcir pcirout1
N18 G01 G40 X-4.8             plin plinout
N19 G00 Z1.                   pzrapid prapidout

HTH

'Rekd

[turkgeltz]

Thanks for the advice! The turning on the debugging looks like a good start and way to go. But forgive my ignorance, but I don't know how to turn it on for those results. Could you please explain it in a little more detail to get me there? Thanks!

[Rekd]

See where the bold type is? Set yours to match them and debuggin is on.