BobCad V25 question

JimBob

JimBob

Emerick's Custom Cues
Silver Member
Trying to get the program to start at the center of 0,0 in the middle of 4 objects, (haven't used 25 for a while) and the cutter wants to start in the middle of the first inlay to the left. When i pick a start point in the middle between the inlays, the program will crash. BobCad never did like me very well anyway. Any help appreciated .
 
Maybe try updating your graphics card driver, per bobcad. Hopefully someone may have a solution for you.

My software is crashing. How do I correct this?
Software crashes usually pertain to one of a couple things. Below are troubleshooting steps that should resolve the issue.
STEP 1: Make sure the system meets our minimum system requirements. If working with solid models and 3D work make sure your computer meets or exceeds our recommended system requirements.
STEP 2: The Graphics card driver may be out of date. Even if the card or computer is new, the graphics card driver update can be done by going to the computer manufactures website or to the graphics card manufactures website. Below is a video that will show you how to update the driver.
(Click Image for Video)

STEP 3: The windows system is out of date. BobCAD-CAM depends on windows for many of its functions If the windows system is out-dated this can cause system instability. The video above covers updating the Windows system.
STEP 4: There are other things that may affect your BobCAD installation such as a high amount of running processes or lack of system resources due to malware. Antivirus software may help the issue or can even make it worse depending on the situation, If the above steps have not resolved your issue contact support at 727-489-0003. A current support plan is not required for Trouble shooting installations and software instability.
 
why not try to draw the shapes relative to x,y zero in lieu of trying to define a start point?

I've had bobcad crash usually in the middle of trying to generate toolpath and its frustrating as hell. This is on a 32bit xp machine. I can run the same thing on my 64bit machine at work and cant get it to crash
 
Well the computer isn't the problem, i am. I only use the CNC a couple times a year, and i just about forget how to use Bobcad, it isn't a friendly program anyway and it is like learning all over again. The program works better on XP then the other operating systems in my opinion. I'll get it, i am just having a brain fart....ha ha!
 
Well i figured it out...., But i ask you, why not start in the center if you want the part on center? If your talking points that's a different story, but if you want small inlays in the but sleeve, and have them on center... how else would do it and keep it accurate?
 
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JimBob said:
Well i figured it out...., But i ask you, why not start in the center if you want the part on center? If your talking points that's a different story, but if you want small inlays in the but sleeve, and have them on center... how else would do it and keep it accurate?
Click to expand...

Jim, Bobcad will generate the Gcode based on the geometry location when you create it. The starting point is simply the location that your machine will go to before it starts machining your part or pocket. Now I have built into my post processor a move that takes X, Y, and A to Zero and Z to 1.0 before my program is executed. If you are wanting your pockets to be cut say in a butt sleeve on center, it starts by creating your geometry based on X and Y Zero in bobcad. Now when you are in say Mach you will need to set X and Y Zero based on the center of that butt sleeve. I could start 10 inches off in X or Y in Mach 3 and as long as my zero positions in Mach are set correctly it will cut the same pocket as if I where setting on top of the cue. The machine will simply moved to it's correct location and then start.
Let me know if this makes sense. Worst case you can't be that far from me we may make a day of it soon.
P.S. I use home switches with Mach 3 and a great camera. Life is so much easier this way.

Jim.
 
BCad

Jim,

For Bobcad questions you can't go wrong with Jim's expertise.:thumbup:
I also view the Youtube video's when ever I back myself into a corner.
This link is to a generic part generation and machining operation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlTtRp9vUiY

Al get's into a little of the stock wizard and
setting origin which may help you visualize what Jim is talking about. Can't count how many little tricks and tips I've picked from watching them. Best part is that they are available anytime of day and they are free. Just have to survive the lead in music.:smile:
 
opiesbro said:
A camera like vision system?

Sent from my XT901 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yes, Mach 3 has a built in webcam plug in. It works great. I purchased a modified web cam from ebay. I don't think this particular one is still available or I would just add the link. I could inlay a diamond on a gnat's butt if needed. I don't take credit for knowing about the camera. Cory Barnhart first told me about it though I doubt he remembers as he would not have known who I was.

Thanks Cory.

By the way cutter, did not know that you knew about Al. He is a great guy at Bobcad. He does not hit you over the head to sell his product. I am actually some sort of Bobcad support sales rep. through him. He found out who I worked for and called me directly. I have an account number I can give out for anyone wanting to buy directly from his department. Nice thing is no pressure there.

Jim.
 
JimBob said:
Thanks all the help, i was just wanting to find x, y, z, zero. a little tweak to the NC code fixed that. Jim will this camera work? looks like the camera idea would be the berries, i use a little magnifying glass to see the center. Seen some youtube clips on camera and it would be beneficial.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2MP-USB-Dig...829?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3d9ec20d
Click to expand...

Looks like that camera will work. I have my camera focused at 1" from my tool tip. That way when I touch my tool off on my part and set Z to 0. I can move up to Z1.0 and then shift over to my camera. It will be in focus. This gives me plenty of room for when I jog the camera around over my work. If you don't have enough rough you may job your bit into something and break the bit.

Mach 3 has a nice little feature built into it. If you zero out your X axis on one side of your part and you jog to the other side, using the camera, and click on the DRO and type in "/2" the DRO is cut in half. Center is found. Then a simple command X0.0 will move the camera back over to the center. Then shift back to the spindle and zero out the X DRO again.

I created a few buttons on my Mach 3 screen to shift my camera over to the position my spindle was back when needed. I will find zero positions, shift and then zero positions again. I also have a button that moves X, Y, and A to 0 and Z to 1.0".

Jim.
 
JimBob said:
Jim is your camera on the Z ? or X?
Click to expand...

Good question. The camera is mounted next to my spindle. It will travel up and down with the Z axis. Positioning is done with the camera in focus at Z 1.0. The camera is used to find positions for the X and Y axis. Now this is the setup to use for a vertical mill. I have never seen a horizontal one for cue work.


Jim.
 
Well Jim, i didn't present the question very will. Couldn't you mount the camera on the support in the Z axes that doesn't move and therefor not have a focus problem? My brain thinks and my fingers type and i never put it down the way i think.. Sorry!
 
Oh I suppose you could. I like to use my camera in the same areas that I use my spindle. Sometimes it's on a full almost finished cue or a jump cue or a parts table at different Heights. Since I use the one inch offset based on Z at 1" all I have to do is touch my tool off the top if part and zero Z's DRO.
 
Ok thanks, i'll get a camera and try that. By the way i had a problem with bobcad getting a part to index, in the cam tree, it was in the setup but wouldn't put it in the NC code, i had to put it in manually. ??
 
Hey let me know if you get that to work. After seeing how Bobcad did it I laughed. I created a post that does all the work for me. I just edit the g code and change a variable at the top an bam.

Jim
 
Indexing worked on the other pocket i did, but it didn't work on the last one, probably something wrong with the drawing, but did create a tool path. Check out this chain link cnc work, probably takes 4 axes for this, i may have invest more money for 4 axes. If you ever get to Marion give me a call. 765-664-3412 Well i am learning slow but sure, the guy i bought the shop off of let me down on support so i have to learn on my own. slow process, i guess takes more dedication on my part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_6M6ea21dQ
 
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