A little bit of G code help please!

[CharlieRam]

Does Mach support M00 ? I haven't used it yet but it is just. Cycle interrupt, which waits for cycle start to carry on. Much safer than a timed pause.

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[njhussey]

Thanks guys, hopefully the below picture will show what I'm trying to do. There are lots of nested parts and I want to put in supporting screws to help keep the ply stable and not moving all over the place so the pieces get ruined, yes vac hold down would be nice but that's not going to happen...yet! Neither do I want to be cleaning double sided tape from the parts.

Dean, #2 is what I want to do. I currently drill the holes (3mm from memory) using a spiral mill operation (I think!) and then want to send the spindle out the way back to X0Y0 whilst I get my cordless drill and screw in the screws. Then I want to be able to set the machine back on its merry way cutting the next operation etc. etc. till it's finished.

Charlie, the M00 option I presume would just pause the program with the tool still over the last drilled hole?

Lee, the feed hold runs on a bit after pressing (tried it a few times...) so not really suitable and I'm not sure I want a timed delay as I know it will either be too short or far too long....

[sinnsvak]

When I want a small pause, I add a tool-change, without really changing anything. I can then jog it away and put in screws, when I hit run again it will go to position and continue.

[magicniner]

Daft question but why aren't you edge clamping the work and running a job to put in all the hold-down screw holes in one go first, then cutting your profiles?

[njhussey]

When I want a small pause, I add a tool-change, without really changing anything. I can then jog it away and put in screws, when I hit run again it will go to position and continue.

What code do you put in to do that? I put in M6 and it didn't flinch, just ran straight past it?!

Daft question but why aren't you edge clamping the work and running a job to put in all the hold-down screw holes in one go first, then cutting your profiles?

I do edge clamp it (see above pic, I use masking tape...) and do the drilling operation first...I want to know (being a complete noob) how to stop the code so I can put the screws in.

[jamesgates1000]

As someone has said above, an M0 is the best way to pause the program.

An example would be...
(this is based on fanuc/has g code but the format will be the same)

...
G83 Z-10 R3. Q3. G99 (drilling cycle)
X4. Y6. (hole position 1)
X44. Y46. (hole position 2)
G0 Z50. (rapid away from job in z)
X0. Y0. (rapid to home/change position)
M0 (program stop)
... Continue program

The M0 will pause the program until you press the green cycle start button again.

[njhussey]

As someone has said above, an M0 is the best way to pause the program.

An example would be...
(this is based on fanuc/has g code but the format will be the same)

...
G83 Z-10 R3. Q3. G99 (drilling cycle)
X4. Y6. (hole position 1)
X44. Y46. (hole position 2)
G0 Z50. (rapid away from job in z)
X0. Y0. (rapid to home/change position)
M0 (program stop)
... Continue program

The M0 will pause the program until you press the green cycle start button again.

Thanks James, I'll "air cut" a small program with this in and try M0! The list of G-code commands I have just says program stop and nothing about a re-start so I didn't want to use this, certainly not in anger.

[magicniner]

(see above pic, I use masking tape...

I saw the tape and suggested clamping the edges because you were taping, not clamping the work.
Masking tape is specifically designed to be removable and doesn't offer much hold down capability in the face of a persistent force such as the lift from spiral flute milling or routing.
Swapping to a good commercial grade of gaffer tape and ensuring the tape runs down the vertical side of the work and contacts the spoil board at the edge of the work will give you a big improvement in hold,

- Nick

[njhussey]

I saw the tape and suggested clamping the edges because you were taping, not clamping the work.
Masking tape is specifically designed to be removable and doesn't offer much hold down capability in the face of a persistent force such as the lift from spiral flute milling or routing.
Swapping to a good commercial grade of gaffer tape and ensuring the tape runs down the vertical side of the work and contacts the spoil board at the edge of the work will give you a big improvement in hold,

- Nick

Hi Nick, plans are to make some ali clamp blocks a bit like inverted T nuts that will clamp the edges which will also mean that I can then machine multiple balsa strips in one go....however as with everything I'm running before I can walk.... I know, I'm heading for a fall! Will be catching up on everything over the Christmas period....

[JAZZCNC]

What code do you put in to do that? I put in M6 and it didn't flinch, just ran straight past it?!

Well then your problem is that you haven't turned on tool changes in General Config. See pic.



If the file your using is made up of two or more operations, whether that be 2 milling op's or Drill and then mill etc and each operation uses a different tool number then M6 will stop at the new tool and wait for cycle start.
If like in your case your using same tool for both Op's then still give a separate T number to the second tool and it will do what you want and you won't have to mess around inserting M codes etc. (You have to do this to trick your Cam Post processor into inserting M6 other wise it will see same tool number for both tools and leave M6 out because it thinks you don't need to change tools)