What The Heck Am I Doing Wrong???

[MetalShavings]

I've finally had some time to play around with my new 770 since finally getting it all set up. Still waiting on my Tooling-Package though.

Since I'm still struggling to get a handle on the SprutCAM software that came with the package I thought I'd use one of the Mach3 "Wizards" to do a "planing" job on a small piece of aluminum.

I referenced the machine and everything went smoothly according to the manual. Then I referenced the part with my X and Y axis zeroed at the lower left corner of my part with the top of the part set at Z=0. ("Lower Left" meaning; when facing the machine, the closest corner to me on my left)

When I posted the G-Code, the tool path screen shows my X and Y origin way low and Right of where it should be. By default, the origin on the "Planing Wizard" is set at X=+0 and Y=+0.

Am I reading something incorrectly or am I entering incorrect numbers in the text fields? I can't figure this out. I'm sure it's just something simple, I just can' figure out what. I also notice that some of these "Wizards" have no input fields for the Spindle Speed.

The part in question is a small square block of aluminum. 2.5"x2.5"x2.5"; I was just wanting to shave .20" off of the top of it using .75" HSS end mill.

Out of frustration I tried running the part one block/line at a time. I thought maybe the Tool-Path being displayed and the actual way it would run were some how just not in sync. Bad idea. A couple of lines down and the X and Y axis took off to the point of tripping the limit switches.

Other than scaring the crap out of me, I caught it before it did any damage. (Thank God) Anyone else have trouble with these "Wizards?"

MetalShavings

[txcncman]

No direct experience with the system you are using, but my first guess is that your zero is 1.25 to the left and 1.25 closer to you that you want it. I am betting in the wizard when you set up your part, it put the zero at the center of the material, not the corner like you wanted.

[TXFred]

In my pre-Tormach days, I tried some of the Mach3 wizards. I was completely unimpressed. The wizards were written by different people, so they had different looks, feels, input styles and behaviors.

I quickly stopped using them.

If you like, I can generate some code for you to use. It won't take long. Just let me know how many flutes your end mill has.

Frederic

[MetalShavings]

In my pre-Tormach days, I tried some of the Mach3 wizards. I was completely unimpressed. The wizards were written by different people, so they had different looks, feels, input styles and behaviors.

I quickly stopped using them.

If you like, I can generate some code for you to use. It won't take long. Just let me know how many flutes your end mill has.

Frederic

Hi TXFred:

I actually tried to set up these "Wizard" planing jobs with two different types of cutting tools. One was with a four flute .75" HSS Tin coated End Mill, and the other was with a 2" diameter Four Flute Face Mill with carbide inserts.

My "Speeds and Feeds," and my cutting depths weren't the things I was having problems with, it's the reference points themselves. It almost seems like the Mach3 software wasn't calculating from my established part-reference-points.

At any rate, if you could create the G-Code as you generously offered to do, I think it might go a long way toward allowing me to compare it to the G-Code that's generated by the "Wizard" in question.

I look forward to seeing it; and thanks very much for the generous offer.

Funny thing is, I used one of the "Circular Pocket" Wizards that came with this same Mach3 software and it worked like gang-busters. It could be that the particular Planing Wizard is just crap. I can see why a fellow would stop using them all together but, since I still haven't gotten a handle on how to properly use the SprutCAM software, I'm more or less clutching at straws for the time being; just so I can get some practice in with this new mill.

MetalShavings

[philbur]

Post (in this thread) the first 20 lines of the gcode.

Which wizard did you use.

Phil

[MichaelHenry]

The New Fangled Solutions Wizards work much better than the Wizards that are included with Mach3. As Frederic mentioned, the latter wizards are written by all sorts of people and there is no common user interface or even logic in some cases. NFS wizards are maintaine by one person and are much more consistent.

The downside is that the NFS wizards cost $150 or so, but they are well worth it in my opinion.

Newfangled Solutions LLC - Mach3 Addons for Mill

Apparently KipWare also sells a conversation wizard package for Mach3 though I've not tried it or heard much about it:

KipwareM&reg - Conversational CNC Programming and CAM Software for Milling

Finally, you can write your wizards should you feel so inclined. I've been tempted but never have enough time to start let alone follow through to the end on one.

Mike

[MetalShavings]

No direct experience with the system you are using, but my first guess is that your zero is 1.25 to the left and 1.25 closer to you that you want it. I am betting in the wizard when you set up your part, it put the zero at the center of the material, not the corner like you wanted.

Greetings txcncman:

You could very well be right. I just don't know enough about the workings of these "Wizards" to know for sure. For that matter, I don't know all that much about the different nuances of CNC machining either.

I'm just glad to know I can come here in desperation and ask for help.

From the way my machine acted when I tried to run the G-Code that was generated by the Wizard in question, I'd say that my zero was being projected alot farther off than 1.25.

How did you arrive at the figure, "1.25?" My reason for asking is not to be cynical but, to try to figure out the math by comparing it to to some of the numbers I entered into the text fields of this Planing Wizard.

If I play around with some of the numbers I've entered, maybe I can get it to post G-Code that won't make my work table want to zip beyond my Limit Switches.

On a side note: I've only gotten two replies to this plea for assistance. Both have been from guys in Texas. I've always heard every thing's bigger in Texas. That must include generosity too.

Many thanks.

MetalShavings

[MetalShavings]

Greetings Phil and MichealHenry:

I finished writing my previous reply only to find both of your replies as well. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I saved the G-Code that was generated by the Wizard in question so I'll try to remember to copy it onto something
that I can transfer that file in order to put it up here.

I've looked at the NewFangled-Wizard both on my existing software and online. It did seem to be alot less complicated and straight forward
than the various other Wizards present in this software.

Right now I'm trying to decide which would give me the most bang for my buck (so to speak); Spending more money on this
NewFangled Wizard add on or spending about the same amount on a one month subscription price of the Dukes4Monnys SprutCAM support
website.

I'd love to be able to just jump right in using my expensive SprutCAM software to generate my G-Code but, right now I'm inclined to
believe that SprutCAM is designed to make its users dependent on them for help. For me, it's a difficult software to learn on my own.

It only took a couple of weeks for me to start using SolidWorks, PhotoShop, TurboCAD and a couple of other more complicated softwares.

I'm sure my attitude about SprutCAM will change once I can understand it a little better but, right now I'm leaning toward Wizards just so I
can power up my new mill and get some practice in while I wait for my Tooling package to arrive.

MetalShavings

[MichaelHenry]

The New Fangled Solutions Wizards work much better than the Wizards that are included with Mach3. As Frederic mentioned, the latter wizards are written by all sorts of people and there is no common user interface or even logic in some cases. NFS wizards are maintaine by one person and are much more consistent.

The downside is that the NFS wizards cost $150 or so, but they are well worth it in my opinion.

Newfangled Solutions LLC - Mach3 Addons for Mill

Apparently KipWare also sells a conversation wizard package for Mach3 though I've not tried it or heard much about it:

KipwareM&reg - Conversational CNC Programming and CAM Software for Milling

Finally, you can write your wizards should you feel so inclined. I've been tempted but never have enough time to start let alone follow through to the end on one.

Mike

[txcncman]

You posted your material size as 2.500 X 2.500. It is simple math really. If you wanted zero at lower left as selected on your material, and the wizard put your location as the center of the cutting, the start of the cutting would have been the delta distance from the center of your material to the chosen work zero (approximately - have to add in the size of the cutter for clearnce).

Greetings txcncman:

You could very well be right. I just don't know enough about the workings of these "Wizards" to know for sure. For that matter, I don't know all that much about the different nuances of CNC machining either.

I'm just glad to know I can come here in desperation and ask for help.

From the way my machine acted when I tried to run the G-Code that was generated by the Wizard in question, I'd say that my zero was being projected alot farther off than 1.25.

How did you arrive at the figure, "1.25?" My reason for asking is not to be cynical but, to try to figure out the math by comparing it to to some of the numbers I entered into the text fields of this Planing Wizard.

If I play around with some of the numbers I've entered, maybe I can get it to post G-Code that won't make my work table want to zip beyond my Limit Switches.

On a side note: I've only gotten two replies to this plea for assistance. Both have been from guys in Texas. I've always heard every thing's bigger in Texas. That must include generosity too.

Many thanks.

MetalShavings

[TXFred]

Here's some simple code to do the job. This will use tool 1 to face the block to z=0.

Be sure to alter the tool number (T1) and offset number (H1) in line 60 to the correct number, or you'll crash for sure.

Run it in the air first. Feeds and speeds are from G-wizard. The rest was hand coded by me. If it crashes, I assume no responsibility. It's your machine and you're the one responsible for operating it safely.

I think that's enough of a liability disclaimer. Here's the code.

EDIT: The origin for this part is the left hand corner closest to you, same as what you described.

%
OFACE A 3.5" X 3.5" ALUMINUM BLOCK TO Z = 0

(Tool 1: .75" Mill, 4 Flute, HSS)
N20 G90 G54 G17 G40 G80 G49
N30 G20 (Inch)
N40 G54
N50 M998
N60 T1 G43 H1 M6
N70 S3008 M3
N80 G0 G94
N90 X-.5 Y-.5 Z0.25

N100 G1 Z0. F40 M8
N110 X3. F80
N120 G00 Z.25
N130 X-0.5 Y0.5625

N140 G1 Z0 F40
N150 X3. F80
N160 G00 Z.25
N170 X-0.5 Y1.125

N180 G01 Z0. F40
N190 X3. F80
N200 G00 Z.25
N210 X-0.5 Y1.6875

N220 G01 Z0. F40
N230 X3. F80
N240 G00 Z.25
N250 X-0.5 Y2.25

N260 G01 Z0. F40
N270 X3. F80
N280 G00 Z.25
N290 X-0.5 Y2.8125

N300 G01 Z0. F40
N310 X3. F80
N320 G00 Z.25

N370 M9 M5
N380 M30
%

[davidperry3]

You will always have a love hate relation with SprutCAM. The wizards will only take you so far so you might as wall start learning the cam now. It's gonna hurt but it has to be done. Just keep telling yourself it's $10,000 cheaper!