[Ed_R]

I'm trying to run Mach 3 Mill in a simulation, and the execution times for simple programs are just plain silly- an hour and 30-plus minutes for cutting a 3-inch by 1.5 inch hole in half-inch plywood?
I've got do be doing something wrong. But I dunno what.
I've tuned the motors to match the 116-ounce motors on the machine, I've tred adjusting the feed rates, and they just keep reverting back to 1. Must be the drawing I imported, but it's a simple rectangle, how tough could it be?
I've downloaded the latest pdf helpfle for Mach 3 I could find. Haven't looked at it yet but I'm headed there now. I just thought I'd ask here to see if anyone had any ideas.

[ger21]

Is there an F1 in the g-code?

[ger21]

Could you post the g-code for that? Even with the feedrate at 1ipm, it should only take about 10 minutes.

[ger21]

If you're importing a .dxf, set the speed in the import dialog box, use the layer button.

[Ed_R]

Yes, there are two concurrent F1's in the first section of code alone, and several more down the line.
Here's the first basic section:

G90G80G49
G0 Z1.0000
G90.1
S1000
G0 Z1.0000
G0 X-97.0000 Y29.8333
M3
F1.000G1 Z0.0000
F1.000G1 X-97.0000 Y42.8333
G1 X-97.0000 Y43.5000
G1 X-97.0000 Y44.1667
G1 X-97.0000 Y44.8333
G1 X-96.8333 Y45.6667
G1 X-96.6667 Y46.3333
G1 X-96.5000 Y47.0000
G1 X-96.1667 Y47.5000
G1 X-96.0000 Y48.1667
G1 X-95.6667 Y48.8333

You can see I'm a total newb and am relying enirely on the conferters at this point because I won'tknow what I'm looking at until I learn a bit about the G-Code itself.

I don't even think I know enough to ask intelligent questions. Here's a question: If I change that F1 to something like F40, will that change the feedrate to 40?

[ger21]

If I change that F1 to something like F40, will that change the feedrate to 40?

Sure will!

[Ed_R]

Did that, I lost the motor tuning though so it's still taking
its own sweet time- over 30 minutes to cut about 9 inches!
Appreciate the help, by the way. The toolpath that this converter is using isn't all that efficient, I can see some changes to make already

[Ed_R]

Ok, I am confused. No matter what I do, even if I set the motor tuning to outrageous settings, my speed is ridiculously slow- something under an inch a minute, even with my feedrate set to 100. Any more sugestions?

[Ed_R]

What might be happening is that the scale of the drawing might be way off, or the scale of the drawing and the scale of the Mach3 software are not the same. I need to find out where the machine limits are so I can see if the drawing needs to be scaled.

[turmite]

Ed when you are in config and tuning your motors, have you been saving the axis after making all the adjustments?

Mike

[Ed_R]

Ed when you are in config and tuning your motors, have you been saving the axis after making all the adjustments?

Mike

Yes, I have, but I',m not certain my settings are correct to begin with. All my axes are set identically, and here's a screenshot of the settings:


These look like they are in the ballpark for the 116 ounce motors on my machine, so I'm looking at the drawing scale, because my feedrate is at 100, and it's taking way too long to even plunge .

[lwill]

I'm still learning Mach as well, but I think you missed what Gerry said:

"If you're importing a .dxf, set the speed in the import dialog box, use the layer button.
__________________
Gerry"
There you can set the feed rates for plunge and direction, I think they default to 1 untill you change them, then they stay at what you set for the futer.

The motor tunning should not matter to generate the G-code, it will generate what ever you tell it to, if your machine can't run that fast, well.....

[lwill]

By the way, is Mach set to run in metric? If so then you are moving at only 1mm per min!

[per.e]

Try to set the "step pulse" from 1us to 5us.
Hope that helps.
Per.

[Ed_R]

I did reset the speed in the layers to 100, along with the spindle speed and the tool number. I defined Tool 1 as havinga .25 diameter and 1 inch cutting length.
I didn't change Mach from mm to Inch. I'l'l go do that, if it's not too difficult. Any tips?

[ger21]

If it's setup in mm, and you switch it to inches, you have to re-tune the motors.


What does the Feedrate DRO say while it's cutting?

[Ed_R]

The motors are definitely set up in inches, as are the screws.
The DRO is reporting variable values, from around 45.5 to over 145. With a unit per rev of .02.

[ger21]

If the feedrate DRO says 45, then it's cutting at 45ipm. Are your steps/unit setup correctly? What is the pitch of your screws? Microstepping?

[Ed_R]

Remember, this is all simulated, I don't have a machine connected yet.
That 45 is the LOW end of the speed, but it's still taking 15 minutes to cut 9 inches.
I don't know if I'm microstepping or not, and I don't know where to set the pitch of the screws.

[ger21]

Does the simulation take 15 minutes? Or does Mach3 say it will take 15 minutes?

The pitch and any microstepping is figured into the steps per inch, where you have 3600.

Should be 200 x turns per inch x microstepping amount (8 for 1/8 step, for example)