Hi again
Well I made sure all the boxes were ticked, I changed from offset to raster , I have cut direction on climb and using a 6mm end mill cutting 4mm deep and she still only cuts a single line down to the set depth.......mystified
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Hi again
Well I made sure all the boxes were ticked, I changed from offset to raster , I have cut direction on climb and using a 6mm end mill cutting 4mm deep and she still only cuts a single line down to the set depth.......mystified
I wouldn't use climb cutting without a fairly powerful reason.For specific Vectric advice I think you would have a wider range of experience to call on at either of these:
https://forum.vectric.com/
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/vectric/
I'm a Vectric user but have never seen this problem. Any chance of screen shots showing all the configuration parameters when you set up the toolpath?
But the more specialist forums might help, as suggested above.
Got it.
As always I am sure I am not the only one that creates our own problems because we try to find a reason and try to sort a problem that we miss the obvious that is staring us right in the face Routerdriver. Man I was getting stressed over this simple problem, I know it sounds bad but I didn't even think ( shameful ) to ask vectric support, don't know why either but in 5 minutes it was all sorted and all working perfect.
Now I just need to sort out the optical box that sends it to the machine but it works .
Hi NealeQuote:
Originally Posted by Neale
All sorted bud
What I was doing is on my old cnc using mac3 I would write a program in vectric and send it to the chinky machine and it would just cut a pocket and that's what I was used to doing, but on this new machine using axyz stuff , I write the program in vectric to do the pocket and now I have to save two toolpaths and what was happening is I was only sending one toolpath and that was the final cutting toolpath not the clearing toolpath, the problem was right in front of me and didn't see it , but all sorted now and I am hanging my head in shame over it ,
Thank for the imput bud
Pete
I can understand the problem - I use both Vcarve (for 2D machining) and Fusion 360 (for more complex "engineering" jobs) and they handle this kind of thing differently so you have to stop and think each time! I have just made a brass plaque - engraved, holes drilled, outside cut and chamfered - which involved 5 different tools. So 5 separate toolpaths as Vcarve can't cope with multiple tools in one gcode file unless it believes the machine has a toolchanger (as far as I can see) where F360 can mix; my machines are set up to pause for a manual tool change so that works for me.
I presume that you are using different tools for roughing and finishing? If you are using the same tool, you should be able to combine them in one file.
But you've found the trick, so it won't happen again! Probably :smile:
:thumsup:
How about a link to the thread on the Vectric forum?If somebody else comes along with the same problem,we can send them straight there.
Good idea but I don't know how to do it budQuote:
Originally Posted by routerdriver
You could copy and paste the url of the page with the answers.In the meantime,I'm guessing that you hadn't ticked the boxes for all the sequences when you post processed.
Hi bud
Well what was happening is although All the boxes were ticked only one set of gcode was being sent to the machine, so how I do it now is send a clearing file and when that's done I send the finish file that sharpens up the final cut, not how I used to do it but it works fine .
I do have a small issue but it's not a problem is when I send the file to the machine with the axyz software it won't send another file unless I disconnect the 486 optical sensor and then reconnect it and then it sends it but I need to do it every time I try to send a new file to the machine, I thought it may be the optical sensor so I bought another one but I need to get the installation disc from somewhere.
Any ideas on this
Pete
Well folks
This is for anyone who wants to try carving letters into stone with there router but using water to prolong the life of the tool.
This was my solution to carving a piece of white marble, more pictures to come and a video of my process Attachment 31995Attachment 31996Attachment 31996
I made meself a water tight box that fits under the gantry of my cnc and sealed it all round , put my piece of marble inside and wedged it on four sides then filled it with water so it covers the stone by about 5mm and then just let her go .
More photos to follow
Attachment 31998
Not to shabby for an hours work
I have the same machine and would like to talk about how you're making out with yours. I'm having some spindle speed issues with mine.
The machine is working good just now and getting use to it , I am cutting aluminium. Stone.wood and I am happy with the results, am happy with it .
What problems you having bud ???
Having a couple of issues is all.Quote:
Originally Posted by petesos
Firstly, my machine doesn't do the warm up routine when I first start it up and I'm wondering if this is a glitch or if the Millenium does not do this feature. Also, when I call an F2 to start the spindle, it gives me the choice of Auto, On or Off as it is supposed to but once I click "On" it doesn't then give me the option to set the speed. Again, wondering if this is just a software specific feature for the bigger machines.
As it stands, I can manually start my spindle which turns on and ramps up to about 900 rpm but I can't change the speed at all.
The bigger issue is that I'm having trouble getting the RS485 convertor to work. I am using after market convertors because I have a really tough time paying $800 for a $25 dollar part and I can't believe that there is anything proprietary about the convertor having a fair bit of experience with this protocol in the past. I was wondering what convertor your machine was using and what the exact wiring pinout you have working.
If I can get DNC to talk to the machine then I would be able to load some test code with a high rpm value and see if the spindle does indeed ramp to that speed.
Other than these issues, I'm thrilled with this machine. I come from a company that owned a couple of the bigger AXYZ's as well as two Multicam machines and I have to say that this little Millenium is the best value small footprint I've ever seen. Not sure how far you've gotten into yours but the construction of these things is first rate!
Thanks for your time on this, any help or guidance you can give is much appreciated!! I have parts to make!!!!
Ken
After I sent you that private message I was able to get most of my problems sorted.
I now have the machine talking to Windows 10 through a cheap RS485 convertor that took me three tries (two blown convertors and 1 5 amp fuse) to figure out.
Turns out the red wire coming from the AXYZ RS485 D9 connector is 5vdc and was used to power the original proprietary converter as back in the days these hooked up to serial port which had no power. Of course, modern USB supplies 5v power to the device so I just used the green and white cables as send and receive and then the black as ground. Left the red power cable out of the mix altogether. Had to reverse green and white but once I did, it connected seamlessly. There was a bit of messing about with the comm port number in the laptop setup as well. Was a strange mental trip back to the late 90's for that bit but once the fog cleared I figured it out.
Finally connected, it was brought to my attention that there was no OS installed on the machine but I have a disc image courtesy of my friend who has a 5' x 10' version of the same vintage that has every possible file and driver that you could need for these machines and I was able to upload the OS easily. Once that was successful the machine automatically ran the warm up protocol that was missing and I now have full control of the spindle.
I'm using the DNC software(taken from the same disc) to send the files across to the machine. Works flawlessly.
I put Google Drive Desktop on the machines laptop(which I do for all my machines) and now the files I generate on my MAC in Fusion 360 are available via the cloud. No USB stick needed.
Was able to run a file of mine but I know it was wrong. I put this down to the post process. I need to do some work on that tomorrow and get it sorted.
I also have to figure out the setting of heights and surfaces as I git that wrong but i built in quite a bit of tolerance so no damage done.
WIll cut some basic shapes to confirm calibration once I figure it out and will let you know how that goes.
Fantastic machine all 'round. I really like that once the file is loaded onto the machine the laptop is no longer involved. As an owner of a Stepcraft 600, two Chinesium machines and an old Grizzly Mill CNC conversion(all running UCCNC) this is by far the best of the bunch(the Grizzly would be second). When I first got the machine I was fully prepared to convert the entire electronics package to UCCNC and ethernet control but I'm glad I stuck this out. These are serious controllers and would be hard to beat.
If you want a copy of this disc image, I'd be happy to dropbox it to you or anyone needing files for these machines.
I have a number of manuals too. they are huge and have not been scanned yet but could be done.
Hi bud
Glad your machine is working well, and yes they are one hell of a well built machine I am over the moon with mine But it wasn't always like this, if I hadn't had the support from routerdriver on this site I could of ended up in a padded cell.
I would be interested in a manual for this machine as I have nothing and e everything I do is trial and error, pm me if we can sort a manual out. That would be good.
Pete
Pete, do you have the function processes manual. I have one and could easily scan and upload for you.
I also have two gigantic manuals but one is a studies manual from a school course, haven't gone through that one much yet but not sure how useful it would be.
I also have a complete Toolpath manual and I believe a copy of said as well.
I don't use Toolpath for much so happy to part with one.
Let me know what you think.
I'll check and see what is on the disc I have as well. There is a bunch of support material on there as well.
Ken
I remain convinced that Toolpath is a very useful program for sending files to the controller and wouldn't advise exploring it's capabilities beyond that if you have access to a more recent CAM program.In a way,DNC is similar in that it sends the Gcode from the computer to the controller and doesn't involve the archaic process of toolpath creation that is packaged within Toolpath.It does have a certain nostalgia value in that respect.A full list of the various F functions is a handy thing to have and may impress you with the amount of control available with the machine.
One thing that Toolpath was invaluable for was in figuring out what was wrong with my post coming out of Fusion 360.
A simple test rectangle was adding circles at each corner of the part as a means to transition to the next cut instead of just "turning the corner" as one would expect.
Turns out the AXYZ post(version 44083) has a "Built In" maximum circle radius of 1000 which when reduced to 0.001 eliminated the circles at the corners. This can be found under Post Properties, Built Ins.
Nothing would show this anomaly until I opened the code in Toolpath. Then it was as obvious as the day is long.
Now I only use Toolpath to do a quick check of the toolpath to make sure it is clean and to be honest once I figured it out I haven't been back to Toolpath at all.
I'm using DNC exclusively for transfering files to the PC and once they are there I can essentially turn the PC off. I've found the transfer times to be pretty quick but I've yet to do anything really complex.
Did a bunch of test cuts and some path tracing of letters, some chamfering both of features and lines and everything is dead accurate, Very happy at this point.
Update
Machine is fully functional now and I ve made a vacuum hold down table for it that works like a charm.
I have a bunch of pictures but can't seem to get them to upload here.
The AXYZ ZIP file I have has everything you need to get one of these things going including OS, Toolpath, DNC, manuals etc.
I'm happy to forward this disc image to anyone who may need it.
Just have to finish my drawers and the panel work and it will be done.
K
Its good to know there is a satisfied user out there.I have a feeling there will be occasional requests for your stash of relevant data for years to come.I'm a little surprised that the circular transition from one part of the cut to the next came as a shock to you as this has been the common way to do it for some time,it means the machine continues cutting on the optimised trajectory instead of halting at the end of a straight move and then beginning a new move.In other words it removes a deceleration and subsequent acceleration phase from two moves as well as permitting a slightly shorter distance to be covered.It might not matter for a handful of one off items but if you had a couple of thousand items to cut,we might be looking at a saving of a few days.
In fact, most people seem to have the opposite problem! "My machine seems to judder its way round a cut and the whole machine keeps shaking." The answer is to allow this kind of corner-rounding although how you do so depends on your control software. There is usually a "tolerance" setting as well which affects just how much error you will allow - absolute accuracy means full stop-start but is seldom needed. How much tolerance you allow is very machine- and case-dependent, though!
Hi, is there any chance I can get this ZIP file from you? I have just purchased the same machine and I use Fusion 360 so this would be very helpful.
Send me your email address and I'll forward to DropboxQuote:
Originally Posted by Edwards
How can I get the in touch with you. I just picked up up an AXYZ Millennium and would like to get a copy of your zip file. Hugh
Send me your email address and I will be happy to send you the file.Quote:
Originally Posted by hwiltzen
Picture was a mistake but it is of the USB convertor I used to make it work.
I have more pictures of my machine that may help.
Let me know.
K
Thanks! Is there a way to send you the E-mail that is not in this post? I’m new to this forum.
Apparently I can’t see your DM as a new user. Can you see mine?
Apparently I can’t see your DM as a new user. Can you see mine?Quote:
Originally Posted by Killiwatt
No I cannotQuote:
Originally Posted by hwiltzen
send me you email address in spaced form. It should allow that
mine is kenschultz1@mac . com
try that
K