WCS Orientation Problems on Different Machine

[whizbanger]

My previous 3-axis CNC was setup & worked with F360 based on its WCS being at the bottom-left corner of the table.

 

Its replacement has the WCS at the top-left corner & when I try to position it there in F360 the Y axis points off the table instead of onto it. I've tried flipping them but nothing works.

I've carefully checked my machine setup in the machine library & think I have everything correct there. Any ideas appreciated.

[matty.fuller]

What's the make/model of your new machine?

In Fusion it's always going to be a right handed coordinate system and Z+ is always going to be up. If your machine operates differently you need a modified post processor to make it work. If you're lucky, for 3 axis work this can be as simple as inverting the Y & Z axes (ie: *-1).

[whizbanger]

Wow, that sounds like an incredibly accurate assumption based on the info I gave you!  This obviously isn't your first rodeo. haha

It's a old Chinese machine w/o any support so I've been trouble shooting everything I can & learning lots along the way. You're correct that the Z axis moves w/negative values away from home, while X & Y move w/positive values.

I can probably figure out how to invert the Z values in the post, but what does that mean for the WCS arrows in F360?  Do I have to orient them like this?

 

[matty.fuller]

No, not my first rodeo... we have Biesse machines that have an inverted co-ordinate system like this, so essentially have to post the job as a mirror.

Z always points up in Fusion... if you setup the job as shown the tools are going to come from under the part - essentially you're just looking at it upside down in Fusion.

Set it up as shown in the 2nd image from your original post. If you then invert Y and Z in the post, the co-ordinates will become positive instead of negative.

To edit a basic post you're probably just looking for onLinear() and onCircular() and multiply the Y/Z values by -1. Arc moves may have the direction flipped, so G2 becomes G3 and vice versa - you'd need to investigate what the control is doing.

[whizbanger]

Thank you very much for explaining this Matty.  Guess I'll have to start rummaging through my post processor. 😟

[programming2C78B]

You can try a quick and dirty test of making a Mirror pattern in your CAM along the Z axis and disabling the Original. 

[whizbanger]

How do you 'mirror' a toolpath?  Assuming that works for Y axis, what about Z?

[whizbanger]

I've edited posts for other CAM apps for this machine so I thought it was something I could handle, but I looked at the F360 post file yesterday & it hurt my head.  🤕

I did create a simple cut file with it though & when I checked it with NCviewer I could see that the Y axis is moving in the wrong direction, and likely the Z also (it's hard to tell).

Is anyone available for hire to help me fix the default Syntec (similar to Fanuc I believe) post processor?

[programming2C78B]

[whizbanger]

I can't see the top corner of your screenshot so I don't know where you found that, but it's not where I would expect it to be in my Contour tooplath. Even if it did work it's not really the way I would like to resolve this problem. Thank you anyway.

[seth.madore]

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@whizbanger wrote:

Is anyone available for hire to help me fix the default Syntec (similar to Fanuc I believe) post processor?

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We do have a network of resellers who specialize in post edits and related services. A list can be found HERE

[whizbanger]

Thanks Seth.  Looked at a few of those but feel like opening bids probably start at $1M!  Was hoping to find an individual willing to do this for some beer money.

[programming2C78B]

start a separate thread with your post attached and in plain words what youre looking for - an invert on all Z coords and someone may do it out of the kindness of their heart. 

[whizbanger]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[colinwilliams844]

Hi Daren,

I have worked with Syntec and other similar setups, and I have modified F360 posts to handle inverted and mirrored axes before.
I can get the post processor dialed in quickly.

You can reach out to me on my email here

Colin

[whizbanger]

Email sent Colin, thank you!