*****CNC Shaft & Butt Cutting Computer Program*****

JC said:
Isn't the program designed to write the code for Mach3 to run the lathe simplifying the process for the mathematically challenged?

It won't actually be running anything right? Or am I confused about what it's purpose is?

JC
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It won't. It's just a code generator. After your input all diameters, you generate the codes to simple text.
I'm assuming it will divide those diameters to two b/c it's on lathe mode and the center is Y0 ( I assume ).
It will be up to you write the fixture offset, I think.
I'm assuming a lot here. Lol
 
JoeyInCali said:
It won't. It's just a code generator. After your input all diameters, you generate the codes to simple text.
I'm assuming it will divide those diameters to two b/c it's on lathe mode and the center is Y0 ( I assume ).
It will be up to you write the fixture offset, I think.
I'm assuming a lot here. Lol
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Yes, the diameters are divided by two. Currently, the center of the lathe axis is fixed at zero. The lathe axis can be changed to X for any sideways users who have a large X travel.

As Jake pointed out, for the machines that don't have home switches, I presume they would load a dowel of known diameter in the lathe, put a dowel pin in their router, touch up, remove the dowel, then step the appropriate distance to reach lathe center. Set their Zero. I don't know much about the CueMonster and less about the Mid America. If the zero needs to be off the lathe axis due to no Z axis, then maybe my program should be adjusted to allow the lathe axis position to vary. That wouldn't be too big a deal if that is a need.

Another feature of the program. Roughing in. For each cut, if the number of passes is increased > 1 then an initial diameter is entered. Each pass will take off an equal amount based on number of passes and the two diameters. So if you want to take a 1" shaft dowel to .65 tip diameter in 5 equal passes the user would make a couple more clicks and enter one more number. Furthermore, during each pass if the cutter is off the dowel and cutting air only due to the shaft taper that pass is terminated and the next pass would start. No having to worry about manually programming those short circuits or watching passes cut air near the joint end because the taper hasn't touched the entire length of the oversized dowel yet. Same thing would happen for roughing in a taper on butt sized dowels. That could be a significant time saver if you have 50 blanks to rough in.
 
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Kelly, will you have metric values as well ?
Great work Kelly.
I am familiar with both, but my machine will just be using metric.
Please let me know when you are going to release it and how much it is.
Either PM or email please when you know.
Thanks , Neil Lickfold
 
conetip said:
Kelly, will you have metric values as well ?
Great work Kelly.
I am familiar with both, but my machine will just be using metric.
Please let me know when you are going to release it and how much it is.
Either PM or email please when you know.
Thanks , Neil Lickfold
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Yes, Inches or millimeters...standard G20/G21 codes with converted numbers in the file.

There are still features I need to add. The program works for me, but I wrote the program for my setup and am now adding the versatility (varying stock orientation, cut direction, lathe orientation, etc). I will need to write up a windows help file. Serious testing will be needed. It will be at least a month for me to work through all of it, final polish, and thoroughly test.
 
I am just getting to the point of getting ready to starting using CNC and this would be a great help! Nice work Kelly!
 
Wow. Wish I knew more about CnC. But looks like someone went to a ton of work on this.

It should be a decent program and a great learning tool also. Once a person gets the hang of using this, it can very easily broaden their knowledge in other areas regarding CnC.

Just my small take on it.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
Wow. Wish I knew more about CnC. But looks like someone went to a ton of work on this.

It should be a decent program and a great learning tool also. Once a person gets the hang of using this, it can very easily broaden their knowledge in other areas regarding CnC.

Just my small take on it.
Click to expand...

Since I wrote every part of the program with no help, that someone is me. Since I am just starting with CNC I don't have a lot of GCode programs for various cuts in my turning schedule. I can draw OK in the CAM software I use, so I can draw all of the programs this software generates for me. This software will just be a time saver in establishing a stable of programs that fit my needs, particularly generating the shaft programs for various tapers. If someone brings me a shaft to copy for them, the shaft design screen is quick and easy. It will take more time measuring the shaft than it will generating a new shaft program specific for that shaft.

Another cut mode...handle blanks that have a tenon. The program can cut both the handle tenon and the taper of the handle portion in the same pass. All that is needed as input is an additional length for the tenon and an additional diameter for the tenon. That isn't earth shattering from a drawing standpoint. It isn't hard to draw. But, for various reasons, every handle blank hanging in my shop doesn't have the exact same length of the two sections. I don't have to redraw (or manually edit G-Code for those who do that), I just generate a new program in literally 30 seconds while standing at the CNC machine.

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments and interest.
 
Where was this 8 months ago? After manually writing and calculating tapers for years, I decided to make a spreadsheet for it. It works for me & my setup, but your interface is much nicer and the program more versatile. I love the idea and am sure it will be a hit.
 
I thought I would provide an update on this program.

After the holidays I found lest time to write code. There are still a couple of features I need to add. I have been using the heck out of the program though. There have been zero problems, but after using it some I thought of some more additional features.

So, this is still on my radar and I hope to get back to working on the program in addition to using it soon.
 
MVPCues said:
I thought I would provide an update on this program.

After the holidays I found lest time to write code. There are still a couple of features I need to add. I have been using the heck out of the program though. There have been zero problems, but after using it some I thought of some more additional features.

So, this is still on my radar and I hope to get back to working on the program in addition to using it soon.
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I vote that everyone who bought your other program gets a discount.:thumbup:
 
pescadoman said:
I vote that everyone who bought your other program gets a discount.:thumbup:
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I am happy to pay for software that works, And Kelly's software does work. Not only that, but he went way beyond to help me. When this new one becomes available, I will be happy just to get. I rather pay than have Kelly go out of business.

Neil
 
Where O is on the Mid-America CNC is up to the operator. The way I usually use it 0 is off to the side. But again that is up to the operator.
 
tsp&b said:
Where O is on the Mid-America CNC is up to the operator. The way I usually use it 0 is off to the side. But again that is up to the operator.
Click to expand...

Roger that. I knew that might be a possibility from talking to a few people. Opening that up so it can vary should be an easy change to the program.
 
conetip said:
I am happy to pay for software that works, And Kelly's software does work. Not only that, but he went way beyond to help me. When this new one becomes available, I will be happy just to get. I rather pay than have Kelly go out of business.

Neil
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Well, I want a dollar off damnit!!!!! I was being facetious really.
 
Added a note taking section.

Currently adding lathe alignment error correction and tailstock offset error correction.

Video of using the program to rough in some squares coming soon.
 
MVPCues said:
Added a note taking section.

Currently adding lathe alignment error correction and tailstock offset error correction.

Video of using the program to rough in some squares coming soon.
Click to expand...

You a pretty smart character. Every post you make, something is added to this software so that it becomes more of a indispensable tool over just a convenient piece of software. Very good job!

Dick
 
Latest screenshot.

CCScreen.jpg



Next thing to work on is all of the automatic CNC Cue making functions everyone knows about so a blank gets loaded and a finished cue gets unloaded.
 
Looks like a fine program Kelly.

I was just wondering if you considered on how you will protect yourself from you program getting traded or sold outside of your control?

The other thing that concerns me is the fact that most people will be handicapped using your software.

Just curious as I considered a plugin for mach to do what your have done. Its a great idea and I ended up doing everything inside of my Gcode. The reason I have not made most of that stuff public is because I have seen my code with my comments including my name stripped out of them. Then after the third person gets it and they dont know where it came from, they ask questions. Then I have ended up telling them how to use it.

Either way looks like a good product and I believe you will do well with it. I even know a few cue-makers that could use it.

Jim.
 
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