Scam post? rotary function in Sheetcam.....

[jacala]

http://www.plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5113

There is a feature used in this topic to wrap a 2d drawing around a tube with a given diameter using the 4th axis.

I can not reproduce this process in Sheetcam and I can not find the information in the manual.

How is Vmax549 (4th and 5th post in the topic) doing this?

I want to use this function for my tube notcher.

Hoping to find a explanation!

Jacala
The Netherlands.

[ArchieF]

Hi jacala,

this is my solution :

#1 Copy the pp in the attached zip file to the posts-directory of Sheetcam

#2 Suppose your tube or column has a diameter of 100 mm then the circumference has a length of 100 * PI where PI is 3.14159

#3 SC uses the Y-value of your drawing for calculations so draw in your favourite CAD software a rectangle of i.e. 50 mm in X and 314.159 in Y

#4 Add some text or other shapes like I did in my example, export this drawing in dxf format and import it to SC

#5 Select in SC from the menu Options -> machine -> post processor the pp from #1

#6 You need to add 2 variables to make this pp work :
one named Diameter
one named Angle
where angle is set to 0 if the surface of your tube isn't conical
Both variables are case sensitive

#7 create an contour operation as usual and select the shapes you want to wrap

#8 start the pp by clicking on P in the top left corner and save the created file

This workes for me to create the attached files

Richard

[ArchieF]

Since I can upload only 3 attachments here is another screenshot with the variable Angle set to 10

Richard

[jacala]

First of all: What a great explanation and I owe you one!

I've installed the Post pr. and did exactly how you explaned.

I've got the processing figured out, at least I think I do.

I'm gonna fiddle with it because I'm hitting a little bump here and there. Still learning a lot.

Thanks and I'll be back in a few hours with some questions

[jacala]

MMM

for some reason I can export the file as g code but Mach 3 can't work with it.

When exporting the same file with pp mach3 plasma it works great.

When exporting with Minimum G-code no arcs post processor (edited) there is an error in the beginning of the G code when viewing in Mach3

Bad character used: N0020 new function

N0020: new function
N0030: new function
N0040: new function

I'm searching for an answer but found none yet!

[Les Newell]

That is due to a bug in the post. I would guess it was put there for testing purposes. Go to Options->machine->post processor and click on the 'edit post' button. Look for:

function OnNewOperation()

In that function you will find:

post.Text(" new function\n ")

Delete that line, save the post and try it again.

[jacala]

Hello Les!

That worked a charm! Thanks.

Mach is showing the correct part now, y axis is moving, Z axis is moving so now only A axis, that one doesn't do anything at the moment but also gives no reaction in mach3 when jogging A/4th axis stays 0.000

The G code gives the right data so there is a setting wrong in Mach, or at least I believe that is the problem.

The weird thing is that the ports and pins settings are correct and are enabled for Y, A and Z axis. Could have something to do that this pc runs only a demo version of Mach 3.

I'll try it tomorrow on the real machine and come back with the results.


Were getting there. A bit more learning and searching to do Thanks.


Edit:
Reinstalled Mach 3 and problem solved! Looks great and cant wait to start cutting tube!

[ArchieF]

Hi jacala,

finally back from work. Read your reply but couldn't answer from work.

Glad I could give you a kick in the right direction.

@LES
yes you were right.

I would guess it was put there for testing purposes

Just forgot to delete it. Thanks for your help

Richard

[jacala]

Hello!

Today I was tinkering again but while I changed nothing there is a weird fault in the G code.

For some reason the third line of G code is not functional and gives the A axis the command to keep rotating until it reaches a 20 digit number, so that could take a while .



You can see the attachement with the fault on line 3. I've tried a new different DXF but that changes nothing.

When I delete the line of G code it works just fine like yesterday. So, what could be causing this weird G code value?

[ArchieF]

Could you upload the drawing creating this code ?

Richard

[jacala]

In the attachment is the file. But it happens in all the files, also when I make a brand new file.

You can see the attachment, there are 2 files with both the problem.

It came up without changing anything to the settings so there is probably only 2 options: I'm doing something wrong or there is a bug.

[ArchieF]

No problems here with your files.
Did you set the variables correct ?

Looks to me as if your startpoint is pretty far away from the part itself.

How far away from X0 / Y0 is your drawing ? What are the values at the bottom of the SC window in the X and Y field ?

Richard

[jacala]

Mmm,

Nope, that seems fine by me but in the code editor you can see the weird value.

Reinstalling sheet cam could solve the glitch?

See attachment for more info.

[ArchieF]

Please upload the job file

Richard

[jacala]

In the attachment is the faulty code.

Thanks for helping me. Weird that something is changed in a day that gives this error.

Good luck checking it out!