Hello Everyone,
I have recently started to learn both BobCad and MACH 3 software. My questions involve the MACH 3 software. I understand the DRO and the coordinate systems, and I have a pretty good feel for all of the controls/buttons. My questions are the following:
1) Are the soft limits arbitrary values which are set based upon the work envelope of my milling machine? In other words, can I change my soft limits if need to do so in order to accomodate larger workpieces? Right now my soft limits are only 100mm x 100mm. My mill has a larger work envelope than that. I do realize that I have to restart the software if I change these values, but if I DO change the soft limit values, how do I correctly correlate them to the same position of my actual work envelope?
2) How do I turn on the spindle? This might sound like an odd question, but I have made a couple of simple drawings in BobCad and ran them through MACH 3 already. The tool path will run but the spindle will not turn on. I can turn the spindle on manually though. Is this normal? Do I have to manually set the spindle speed before I start the G code running? I am thinking that I do need to manually do this, but the BobCad software allows for setting the tool type and spindle RPM in the CAM tree, thus I am confused.... When I change the spindle speed in MACH 3, nothing happens.
This is a complete running CNC set up that I purchased from another party a while back. I know that everything worked when I bought the unit so I'm just thinking that my issues are due to my unfamiliarity with the CNC software or set up. Thanks in advance for your help with my questions. I appreciate any assistance and direction that anyone can provide.