Post Processor for Mach3...Questions

[BrassBuilder]

I'm looking at buying TC Pro 12 and the CAM plugin for my CAD software package. I keep reading about a post processor that is needed to run this with Mach3.

Is this something I need to write myself or is it just settings in TC? I am not a programmer by any means of the imagination...

Mike

[BrassBuilder]

Hmmmm....no one has any input on this?

Am I going to have problems running TurboCad Pro 12 and CAM with Mach3? Will the code generated through TC CAM run on Mach3 without a lot of hassles?
Mike

[Clockwork]

I'm running Mach 3 with code generated from TC 12 & 14. The CAM settings need a little tweaking. The neat thing about TCC is that the user can customize their post from the setup screens - no need to wait for the vendor to build a post processor for your specific machine.

[BrassBuilder]

Originally Posted by Clockwork I'm running Mach 3 with code generated from TC 12 & 14. The CAM settings need a little tweaking. The neat thing about TCC is that the user can customize their post from the setup screens - no need to wait for the vendor to build a post processor for your specific machine.

OK. I'll have to take a look at this once I get the software installed. I just got the disks yesterday.
Thanks
Mike

[PaulWCSR]

Hello Clockwork,

Just got my TCPro v12.2 w/ CAM 3.5 bundle today... upgraded to v12.3 (v12.5 has a conflict with CAM 3.5).

Rather than re-invent the wheel, could you provide a list of the tweaks that work for your Mach3 use?

I have been using TC Deluxe 14 for CAD, and DesckCNC for CAM (also have licenses for LazyCam and CamBam). I'm in dire need of TurnCAM, hand coding taking up time, so bought the TC/CAM bundle. Also wanted the solid modeling... Deluxe's surface modeling has been rejecting too many of my complex? parts (degeneration).

Turn g-code will be going to a DeskCNC software/controller.

So far, "generic" g-code settings have worked with all of my CAM and simulation software, as well as Mach3 and DeskCNC control. I'm guessing that's the best approach coming out of TC/CAM?

Thanks for any help...

Paul, Central OR
MiniMechanicals.com

*****

Originally Posted by Clockwork I'm running Mach 3 with code generated from TC 12 & 14. The CAM settings need a little tweaking. The neat thing about TCC is that the user can customize their post from the setup screens - no need to wait for the vendor to build a post processor for your specific machine.

[Clockwork]

I made 2 changes to my post.

1. Mach was choking on a G80 command on about the 3rd line of the G-Code. I simply removed this command with no adverse effects.

2. At the end of the G program the code moved the Z axis to zero before zeroing the X and Y axis. The initial code looked like this:

M05
G91 G28 Z0. M09
G28 X0. Y0.
M30

I changed it to this:

M05
G91 M09
G20 X0. Y0. Z0.
M30


Let me know your results.

[PaulWCSR]

Thanks for the quick response...

I suppose Mach3 is choking because there is no preceeding canned drilling cycle to cancel... just like CutViewer will choke if there is no G80 after a canned drilling cycle before the next G1/G2/G3.

Could probably also remove the G40 and G49 tool comp cancels. The "Big Boys" machines tend to have cancels in the header to clear the registers of any active commands leftover from the previous run. Mach3 may not reject all commands that find a null value to cancel. Brian could fix...

Otherwise, I'm not getting the same sequence you displayed, after removing the G80:

%
O1
G0 G17 G40 G49 G20 G54
G90 G28 X0. Y0. Z0.1
...
M30

I'm also having problems with TCPro v12.3/CAM 3.5 freezing... mostly when switching back to it from another app. I'm wondering if there is a conlict with my TC Deluxe 14 install... I know my previous Deluxe ver installs had problems, so I removed them. My DesignCAD 3D Max 15 has similar freezing problems. I'd hate to remove my TC Deluxe 14 before getting comfortable with TCPro 12.

My working files have been saved in v14 format, so TCPro 12 won't open the .tcw's... have to save them out as .tcw v12 first. So would have to save-as all of my working files before removing Deluxe 14. Then I guess re-install my Deluxe 12?

Thanks again,
Paul, Central OR
MiniMechanicals.com

[Preston E]

Hi Paul,

I've gone throuth the removal of the M80 and Z0 move at the end also...

I'm running V14 Professional and CAM 3.5, but had V12 and V11 installed on the machine.

Well, day before last I'm trying to use V14Pro/Cam3.5 and it will not let me so mutliple passes of the total depth of cut...ie if the final depth is 0.500 inches and I want to do that in 5 passes, it would post the gcode with only 1 pass to the final depth...

I contacted Michael at Turbocad and he said that my having V11 and V12 and Cam 3.0 was causing the problem...and to remove them and Cam 3.5 and then reinstall the Cam 3.5 and it would go into V14.

Did that and with only V14 loaded when you try to load CAM 3.5 you get a message that you must have V12 loaded first...

So I go back to loading V12, uninstall CAM 3.5 reboot computer, reinstall CAM 3.5 and it still does not work...

Thus back to calling Micheal, and after 30 minutes...mostly on hold, he comes back on to tell me that CAM 3.5 will not install into V14 and needed an update, but that they do not have that on the web site and he will get it to me somehow....

Somehow I got 3.5 loaded into V14 originally, but have no idea what I did back then...and have liked it up until now.

That was yesteday morning, and even with a emailed support incident filed yesterday relating the above...I'm still down...

And looking at other CAM software...

Anyone heard any thing about Mesh Cam...Art recommends it???

Rest Regards,

Preston still down

[Preston E]

Hi Guys, Just minutes after posting this...Michael at TurboCad emailed me a patch, five minutes loading, 10 minutes doing Gcode, and 30 minutes of router time and the parts are finished...

Only took 2.5 days to get it done...hopefully it will last at lease anouther year without problems...

Regards,

Preston

[PaulWCSR]

Hi Preston,

Glad to hear you got up and running.

I'm running TC Pro 12.3, CAM 3.5 and Mechanical Pack. After I get some more "toys" money tucked away, I'd like to upgrade to TC Pro 14.

I would be interested in the patch that got you working. I don't know if Mechanical Pack will activate with TC Pro 14 without a new activation code???

Alternately, it would be nice to have Michael's contact info so I won't have to start fresh with another tech that hasn't been down this path.

I have MeshCAM, which I bought bundled with CutViewer. It's about as good as it gets for 3D milling CAM (TurboCAD/CAM is 2 1/2D milling CAM). The author, Robert, is very responsive to users, and is continuing development. There is a Yahoo group, in addition to his web site for support issues.

Paul, Central OR
MiniMechanicals.com