MACH3: Machining a 2mm slot with a 2mm endmill?

[zaprodk]

Hi. I'm trying out the CAM-functions on Fusion 360.

I am using a chinese CNC-machine with MACH3-control.

I have a job where i need to mill out a 2mm slot in a plate. Using a self-defined 2mm tool does not allow me to generate the toolpath. I only get the error:

Warning: Some contours were not machined.
Warning: No passes to link.
Warning: No passes to link.
Generation completed with 3 warning(s) in 388.8ms.
Warning: Empty toolpath.

To overcome this, i made a new tool and defined it as an 1.999mm tool with all the other dimensions the same (body length, flute length etc.)

The width of this slot is not very critical, so doing this would be ok for my application.

Using the 1.999mm tool allows me to generate the gcode without any problems.

The problem is, looking at the gcode, something very strange happens at tool change!

(MILLING OF VERY SMALL POCKETS 2MM)
M5
M9
M1
T2
S24000 M3
M9
G0 X184.7 Y14.149
G43 Z9. H2

I cannot explain how that G43 command gets in the code and where it gets the offset from!

So i have two problems i need to solve:

Where/Why is the offset selected?

How do i persuade Fusion to mill a 2mm slot with a 2mm endmill?

Attached is the G-code-file.

Regards,

Per.

[kellings]

I assume you are trying to use a roughing operation like adaptive clearing, or pocketing. Those generally need some room for the tool to move around to enter the material (there are values that control those parameters).

Have you tried the slot command? That should give you what you are looking for. Basically, the slot generates a centerline tool path based on the edges of the slot. So it doesn't really matter what size tool you use, the code will be produced. It is up to the programmer to use the correct size tool to match the width of the slot.

Kevin

[zaprodk]

Hi. Yep i missed that bit of information. It's using the 2D pocket function that i get the problem. Is there any workaround?

[kellings]

Yep. Use the slot command 😉

[Anonymous]

I'd have to look through the post in a little better detail to see why it's getting there, but that Z of 9. is the initial Z position according to the code:

      writeBlock(gMotionModal.format(0), gFormat.format(43), zOutput.format(initialPosition.z), hFormat.format(lengthOffset));

I use the Mach3 post and have not seen this occur.  Looks like you have the "useM6" property set to False?  Any reason to not use it?

Dave

[zaprodk]

I looked into the slot command. It does indeed give me the option of making the slot without any problems, but i need to do a tool change anyway. it does not allow me to use the already selected tool.

I turned off M6 (and all the others) as out setup does not interpret these commands correctly (tool change is manual)

The whole job i am going to make can be made with the same 2mm endcutter, so i would like to end up with a gcode with absolutely no pauses or toolchanges.

X0,Y0 is zero at lower left corner of the bed. Z0 is the surface of the material that i am milling (DiBond sandwich plate)

[Anonymous]

My tool changes are manual as well, M6 should just cause Mach3 to pause and say "insert tool x" and it should only happen once at the beginning if there are no other tool changes.

The fact that they post has that as a property though means that people didn't want it for some reason or another.

Ok, I just changed mine to No and I don't get that problem with the G43.  Can you share your file here?

I am using the tormach.cps - Generic Mach3Mill. Let me see if that matters.

Dave

[Anonymous]

Just took a quick look at the two posts (Tormach Mach3mill vs Mach3mill).  Using the mach3mill I got code just like yours for the G43.

I would suggest trying the Tormach post, but I'm not sure that won't give you other issues.

Dave

[daniel_lyall]

in mach3 what have you got tool change set to do its under config/ general config

also have you got anything set in tool or machine offset's

and try this post

[zaprodk]

I downloaded your updated post and have been messing with fusion for what seems like an eternity to try to upload/import that post process. I found out how to enable "Cloud  libraries" in Fusion, and uploaded the .CPS file to Fusion 360-drive/CAMPosts - but it does not appear in "My Cloud posts" or "My personal posts" 😕

[kellings]

Are you on a PC or a Mac?

Kevin

[zaprodk]

Sorry. Mac.

[kellings]

You can read this thread if you want more info, but the location of personal posts on the Mac is

/Users/<user id>/Autodesk/Fusion 360 CAM/Posts

You may have to turn on the option for showing hard drives in Finder before you can browse to the above location.

Kevin

[zaprodk]

I not only put the new post file on my A360-drive but also in the 

path: /Users/<user id>/Autodesk/Fusion 360 CAM/Posts/mach3mill updated.CPS

But still under "My cloud posts" & "Personal posts" it doesn't show 😞

Sigh ...

[kellings]

I don't know if it is needed or not, but have you tried closing Fusion 360 and restarting?

Kevin

[zaprodk]

I restarted the application every time i tried something new. so that's not it.
When i come home i will have to try it out on my other Mac and see if it's the same issue.

Could it be a file name convention/issue?

[zaprodk]

I just tried doing the same on my other Mac right now, and the new post processor supplied by daniel_lyall does not appear anywhere.

Guess i'm going to use another CAM-software after all.

// Per.

[jeff.walters]

where exactly did you put the post? do you have use cloud libraies turnd on? 

[zaprodk]

I put the post here: /Users/Zapro/Autodesk/Fusion 360 CAM/Posts

Cloud libraries is turned on and i uploaded the .CPS on my A360-drive in the CAMPOSTS-folder.

No go, it simply doesn't work.

[kellings]

So here is a video showing that this does work. 

Is this what you are doing? If it is, then we need to figure out what is different about your system that isn't allowing this to work for you.

Thanks,

Kevin