[rhipps]

I have an issue running models that I create using Artcam Express I am using my machine is using Mach3. When I save my gcode (.tap) I get lines in my code G1Z-0.0250F4.0 that causes the tool to plunge into the material. Can someone help me determine what is going on? This is happening with every model I attempt to run from ArtCam

[awerby]

Usually, when you're cutting a part, you want the tool to plunge into the material. It needs to do that if it's going to remove any. Is it plunging into the part of the model that you think it shouldn't touch?

[rhipps]

Thank you AWERBY for your reply and time but I think I may have found the answer. Mach 3 apparently does not know how to handle the line G1Z-0.0250F4.0 I compiled the code using .NC format and looked at the code and the same line displayed G01 Z0.0250 F4.0. and the code ran fine. All this line actually does is place a small indent in the part which then gets removed during the rest of the process (?) I may just remove these lines altogether and see what happens.

[awerby]

I didn't think Mach3 was particular about spaces. But what does it do differently when you put them in? That command should plunge the tool .025" into the material at a rate of 4 ipm. If you take it out, you probably will just cut the air above the workpiece.

[rhipps]

To Awerby, The original line of code plunged the tool all the way through the 1/2 " material. When I changed code format the tool only created a .025" dot in the material. I think I am going to try and remove these lines altogether as I do not see what use these points are as they get cut over and removed in subsequent passes. I just thought it was odd that they were placed there at all. I may have to zoom into my part, maybe there are odd vectors hiding out that need to be removed.

Thank you very much for your input though Awerby much appreciated.

[Keonfrey]

To rhipps, just looking at the code here G1Z-0.0250F4.0 vs G01 Z0.0250 F4.0. BIG difference, as the z reading is (-0.025) and (0.025) making it go 0.025" either side of (z=0) which ill assume is the bottom of your work piece. Mach 3 I think can handle the line its just getting vast commands in z positioning. If you have found something that works, that's great! In ArtCam when you use the .tap file you could try switching the z=0 position to the opposite of what you had it.

[Dan911]

Changing the extension/format from .tap to .NC wouldn't change -.25 to .25. You should look into what you possibly changed before generating each G code.

[rhipps]

Thanks everyone for the help. I went through my Mach 3 settings and found that some of the settings had been changed? I reset the values back to my original and haven't had the issue in awhile. Not sure how they changed in the first place.

[Keonfrey]

Changing the extension/format from .tap to .NC wouldn't change -.25 to .25. You should look into what you possibly changed before generating each G code.

There is a setting in artcam express when you are setting up material. It sets the z=0 to either the top or bottom of the material which in turn makes changes to the positive and negative z coordinate. I had problems with it plunging into my material and I just switched the z=0 setting and it worked perfectly!

[rhipps]

Keofrey, Thank you I am new to Artcam and perhaps I missed this setting on these parts. Very possible the part setup was incorrect. I have been taking better care of my part settings since the problem .