Need Help!- Mach 3 and Mastercam X# post processor issues

[John V]

Running mach 3 on a home built cnc 3 axis harbor freight mill drill unit.

I have access to mastercam at school and am trying to figure out how to use it in conjunction with mach 3.

I converted the posts on mach 3's website for use with mastercam x series.

It looks ok in mastercam, but when I load it into mach 3 the g code is being read differently then I believe it should.. I have found threads saying change I,J to incremental instead of absolute in mach 3 but this doesn't effect anything.

The part I am trying to trouble shoot with is a 3" x 3" block of wood with a circle in the middle of it.

When I load it into mach 3 it shows the circle but moves it to the upper right corner of the 3x3 block instead of the middle. I can upload g code when I get to my laptop.

I have talked to my professor about this but he is not a fan of "home" projects... and has basically told me I am wasting my time with it. Any help would be appreciated.

I posted this in the mach mill section as well, if a mod could delete that I realize I probably posted that in the wrong section and don't like double posting...

[John V]

Here is the g code it produces

(NWDTOOL N" 3/8 FLAT ENDMILL" T237 D.375 F.75 L2.5 CD2. CL1. SD2. C0)
(NWDSTOCK X3. Y3. Z.75 OTC OX-1.5 OY-1.5 OZ0.)
N10 G00 G17 G20 G40 G49 G80 G90
N20 T237 M06 ( 3/8 FLAT ENDMILL)
N30 (MAX - Z.1)
N40 (MIN - Z-.15)
N50 G00 Z.1
N60 G00 X1.736 Y1.1363 S2000 M03
N70 G02 Z-.0235 I.0915 J.3637 F30.15
N80 Z-.147 I.0915 J.3637
N90 X1.6811 Y1.1547 Z-.15 I.0915 J.3637
N100 G01 X1.4873 Y.6976
N110 X1.5127
N120 G03 X2.0982 Y.9651 I-.0127 J.8024
N130 G01 X.9018
N140 G02 X.7434 Y1.2325 I.5982 J.5349
N150 G01 X2.2566
N160 G03 X2.3025 Y1.5 I-.7566 J.2675
N170 G01 X.6975
N180 G02 X.7434 Y1.7675 I.8025 J0.
N190 G01 X2.2566
N200 G03 X2.0982 Y2.0349 I-.7566 J-.2675
N210 G01 X.9018
N220 G02 X1.4873 Y2.3024 I.5982 J-.5349
N230 G01 X1.5127
N240 Z-.14 F6.33
N250 G00 Z.01
N260 X2.3125 Y1.5
N270 G01 Z-.15
N280 G03 I-.8125 J0. F30.15
N290 G01 Z.01 F6.33
N300 M05
N310 G90
N320 M30
%

pics coming soon

[John V]

I attached 2 photo's, not of the same g code but of the same issue,

The one is how it is displayed in mastercam, the other how it is displayed in mach3.

I am beginning to think that its a config problem in mach 3...

any insight would be great! Thanks.

[jeffrey001]

I can't see G54 on your code, could this be the problem.

Just place your tool where it should be in relation to your code and look if the DRO for X and Y display 0.000.

Put a G54 at the beginning of your code and verify in the offset page of Mach3 if it is set to G54 as well..

Hope this help.

Jeff

[John V]

Originally Posted by jeffrey001 I can't see G54 on your code, could this be the problem. Just place your tool where it should be in relation to your code and look if the DRO for X and Y display 0.000. Put a G54 at the beginning of your code and verify in the offset page of Mach3 if it is set to G54 as well.. Hope this help. Jeff

I zero the x,y,z axis on the part in relation to where it is located in the cam, so I am not sure that a G54 is needed.

I did add it and it does look for the g54 on the offset page but it doesn't do anything that I can see... when actually running through the code.

I am going to try to produce the same code and cambam and post it up and see what differences it shows..

Thanks for your help

[xander18]

JohnV, I have the same machine and I'm experiencing similar issues. Ever find a solution?

[CNC Bill]

What post are you using? I had a similar problem until I used the MachB post listed in the mastercam forum. Good luck, Bill