Problems with G-code etc.

After a year during which I have spent an awful lot of time teaching myself how to draw in 3D and use Sprutcam as well as a total re-vamp of equipment in the workshop to make room for the mill the big day arrived and I was ready to cut metal, only to be faced with Technical issues. These are now resolved (I think) and I have run my first programme cutting metal.

All seems to go well with the programme until around about the 500th line of code when the machine stops. This is after cutting one full pass at the first Z axis level and into the second pass, I am at a loss as to why it isn't repeating the same steps as the first level pass because the subsequent passes should be exactly the same as the first pass but with different Z axis levels (10 in all).

What I noticed when the machine stopped was that all lines of g-code on the machines screen show the same line details beyond the point where it stopped working. If I go back into the change G-code mode and look at the lines of code beyond the point at which the programme stopped there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with them i.e. each line is different.

Could the stopping of the programme be due to some kind of interference? I am at a loss as to why this should be happening.

I took some video of the machine running and will try to get them onto Photobucket or Youtube so I can post them here but that will have to wait some time.

Hi Bob,

First thought is, are you running the trial version of Mach3? if so it will only run 500 lines.

If the machine is going into reset then you could look at the de-bounce settings.

All the best,

Mick

What I noticed when the machine stopped was that all lines of g-code on the machines screen show the same line details beyond the point where it stopped

because the subsequent passes should be exactly the same as the first pass but with different Z axis levels (10 in all)

Non-user answer, but did machine code programming years ago

Is there a code jump at that point? a return? etc

If there is, remove the JUMP back to the start of the process and see if a drop to the next level and a copy/paste code repeat of part of the first level works/takes you down to the next pass

That would isolate any code jumping issues

This is after cutting one full pass at the first Z axis level and into the second pass

Although it does look like some sort of user restriction, 500 lines etc

Edited By Ady1 on 10/05/2015 12:26:48

Hi Mick/Ady,

As far as I am aware I am running the correct version of Mach 3 for the machine but it does seem strange that the error stops at the 500th line. I have followed all the instructions as far as loading the Tormach discs so I can't see that I would be on a trill version of Mach three. How do I find out what version I am running?

I am no great shakes at manual programming and am dependent upon my ability to draw in 3D and using Cam to covert my drawings into G code. I do, however, understand what each line of code does.

Regards,

Bob

Hi Bob,

If you go to 'help' >'about', you'll see the version no and your reg details.

I'm afraid I wouldn't be much help regarding the code itself as I also use CAM to produce the code except for very simple things.

Best of luck,

Mick

Edited By Peter Hall on 10/05/2015 13:46:01

Thanks Mick,

I will give it a try. Of course the next challenge is finding Help & About in the dreaded windows 8.

Hi Bob

Perhaps if you post some of the lines of code someone may be able to help, but the 500th line does sound suspicious.

I know absolutely nothing about SputCam, but I do know that not all GCode details are the same between systems. Perhaps you have not selected Mach3 in SputCam ?

Whatever, good luck. Will

Hi Mick,

you were right I am on a trial version, how can this be when I have downloaded the programme from a disc supplied by Tormach when I purchased the macine. More the point, the computer is not connected in any way to the internet so how do I go about getting a licence code?

The disc contains the full program as I undertand but you have to buy the unlock code from Artsoft who wrote the Mach3 program. At least that what appears to be the case when you look at their site

Hi Bob

Have you got a licence file as part of your documentation?

Mine looks like this "Mach1Lic.dat" and has to be in the Mach directory. I got mine directly from the Mach3 web site. It was sent by email then copied into the Mach directory.

HTH

Cheers Michael.

Hi Bob,

I'm in the same position in that the computer that runs my machine is not connected to the internet.

If memory serves me right, I purchased the licence on my laptop, copied the whole Mach3 folder onto a data stick and copied it onto the C: drive of the recipient computer. It seemed pretty painless as I remember and ran straight away.

I'd have thought that if you'd been sold a full version of mach3 on disc that the license code would be with the paperwork. Perhaps you need to contact Tormach for them to clarify.

If you're stuck with 500 lines for whatever reason, can you split your machining into several smaller programs starting at progressively lower Z values just to get the job done?.

There's always a way!

Mick

Hi Mick and all,

there were that many discs that came with my mill when I set it up that I must have overlooked the registration disc. Anyway, I loaded the registration disc, re started the programme and can now see that I am running a registered programme so hopefully it should work this time.

At the moment the machine is singing away quite nicely and in about an hors time it should go beyond the 500 lines of code. I will keep you all posted.

Regards,

Bob

Hi Bob,

I reckon you'll have cracked it!

Cheers,

Mick

Thanks to all who answered my questions,

The licence thing was a good call Mick. The machine is now happily carrying on past the 500th line of code. It will take some time before it gets to the next phase which is hole drilling.

Regards,

Bob

That's great news Bob,

If you have time, please post a photo or two, I for one would love to see what you're doing!

Cheers,

Mick

Hi Mick,

I took some video and I will try to get it downloaded onto the site. I need some lessons in applying tool offsets. When I started the programme I had to cheat the machine to put the 1/4" end mill in the right place to start the job. Everything went great until the end of the waterline roughing process which worked great. The drilling cycle was also OK but probably only because I programmed the drill to go a long way through the work piece in practice it drilled the holes in the right place but they weren't as deep as planned. When it came to the next two phases of the operation the tools were in the right place on the X & Y axis but the Z axis was way above the work piece.

I am not disheartened, quite the contrary, I am well pleased that the machine is functioning correctly, the ATC was a joy to watch changing tools.However by the time I reached that point I had one hand on the stop button just in case all went pear shaped so I didn't get it on video. I will take a couple of stills of the work so far and post them too.

Next job will be to tap the four holes in the work piece and mount it to a piece of 1/4" plate so that I can machine the outer profile.

The work piece serves no useful purpose other than it will be typical of the sort of work that I will be using the machine for. It is meant to be a timing cover or gear cover,I am sure, however when I drew it that the seal faces were much wider than they are.

I will try to get something posted tonight but at the moment I am about to start my VAT returns and annual accounts so I might be a little busy.

Regards,

Bob

Hi Mick,

I have tried to embed some video of the first cut but not sure if it is going to work.

Hi Mick,

I have tried to embed some video of the first cut but not sure if it is going to work.[URL=http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/rrodgerson/IMG_1346_zpsa4xwqusn.mp4][IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/rrodgerson/th_IMG_1346_zpsa4xwqusn.mp4[/IMG][/URL]

I willI will try again,

This time with Utube

If these work I will try and edit another couple of clips.

Edited By JasonB on 12/05/2015 13:07:07