Tormach 1100 software

[remout]

Experience: Beginner

With the Mill stopped and the tool raised above the work, is there a place, in the software, to enter code and have the Mill go to the entered coordinates.

Thanks!

[flick]

MDI.

Make sure you've got the appropriate co-ordinate system loaded (G53-G59, etc.)

Keep one hand close to the E-stop.

[remout]

Thanks!

Is MDI a button on the main screen?

[flick]

There's an MDI input field right on the Simple Run (Ctrl-Alt-1) screen. There's also one on the aptly-named MDI (Alt-2) screen.

Type something in. Press enter. Voila, stuff happens!

Can't say this enough: don't stray far from the big E-stop button.

[300sniper]

the mdi is manual data input. it is on most, if not all screens. i know for sure it is on simple run, comp run and the offset screens.

just click your cursor on the mdi box and enter the line of code you want the machine to do. i always have my cursor hovering over the e-stop button when i hit enter on a mdi code, just in case i missed a - or a decimal point or place, not that i have ever done something like that

edit: and after reading flick's post, i am going to need to look for the mdi screen next time i am at my machine. i have been using it for a couple years now and hadn't even noticed that screen.

[remout]

Thanks Guys!

Quick draw shut off noted and practiced. I've had a few er....uh tense moments already

[benji2505]

my classical wake-up call is to move the machine by MDI without the tool height comp on.

a 1 inch long tool moved to work zero without the tool comp on will ram that mill 1 inch into whatever is there (That surprise will also get you when you move 1 inch above the work zero).

Therefore my hint: when you start playing with MDI, first thing after putting in a tool is the MDI line "TXX M06 G43 HXX".

Enjoy

[flick]

Good point benji. That's one of the reasons I don't mess with MDI much. I just have a basic program template laying around, and when I want to play I punch a few lines in, run it from start to finish with the safety line included.

Here's what mine looks like (approximately, from memory):

O0000
G15 G17 G20 G40 G50 G64 G80 G90 G95 G99
M998
T_ M06 G43 H_
G00 G5_ X_ Y_
Z2 S_ M03
M08
Z_
... (insert code here)
G00 Z2
M05 M09
M01
M998
G94 F10
M30
N0000

[twocik]

Remout welcome to the zone and congrats on your machine purchase.

Before I say anything, buy a face shield & eye protection and always wear it when you turn on the spindle !!!!!!

I was in your shoes not to long ago and wanted to learn so bad that I gave up alot of other things. My suggestions to you would be learn as much as you can manually and read, read, read.... oh did I mention read ...


Once you're ready to start writing code/use cam software, always check your work 3,4,5x before you hit cycle start. I tried the CNC simulators, but they only show so much. Playing around with the codes will demo what the machine does and is a faster way you'll learn... however doing this "maintaing a safe workflow" is key. Understand what the G/M codes do before you try them will not only help you in the long run, but keep your from losing an eye. Just remember this isn't a toy and will hurt you.



Here are a few Tuts that will help if you don't have any experience, or even fill you in on somethings you might have not know.


http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/142-machine-shop-1




Hit me up if you have any questions.


.

[mayhugh1]

Remout:
When I first started out, the way I got familiar with the machine was to make some dummy tools out of 1/4" sharpened wooden dowells. I practiced getting the tip of the sharpened dowell to ride just on the surface of a piece of paper taped to a thick piece of MDF. You could even use pencils to trace your toolpaths (leave the spindle OFF). You can use this trick to get confidence with tool offsets (biggest crasher for a newbie), the MDI, and scratch written tool code doing simple profiles on the surface of the workpiece with no depth. When you make a mistake all you break is a pencil and gouge a piece of MDF on your table. I broke lots of wooden tools. - Terry

[flick]

edit: and after reading flick's post, i am going to need to look for the mdi screen next time i am at my machine. i have been using it for a couple years now and hadn't even noticed that screen.

Funny how that works! I just finally found the feed/speed overrides after more than a year!

I haven't checked yet - does the feed override affect rapids, or just interpolation? If it affects rapids, using it while the tool approaches the work and eyeballing the DRO vs. the apparent position is a good way to at least make sure that nothing has gone horribly wrong with your offsets, a la the G43 gaff.