[parts]

I have just finished building a CNC machine. Mechanically t works wvery well. I have downloaded the Mach3 demo software which is also working as it should.
Howeve, I have a problem with G-Code files. I have drawn a template (45 mm square with four 4mm holes at each corner) with CorrelDraw ver.8 and saved as a plt file. When I load this into Mach3, the G-Code produced is dimensionally wrong!. The X and Y values are in the order of 1 or 2 units. Shouldn't it be 45 as I have drawn it?and cut I get a small movements in the X and Y axes. It isn't the machine, for when I manually enter a G-code instruction it works fine. For example, if I enter "G0 X50" the X axis will move 50mm.

Can someone throw some light on this matter. I have absolutely no knowledge of G-Code programming. Thanking you all in advance

Jock

[ger21]

Is there an option on the import for metric units? If so, try turning it off (or on) and see if that helps

[motomitch1]

Try using a (DXF) File

[lakeside]

is there an option on scale that maybe turned on?

[Switcher]

Post your g-code file here

[motomitch1]

Try this file if it dont work Mach3 is set up wrong. if it works CorrelDraw plt file is wrong.

[parts]

Thank you to everyone for coming to my rescue. I have imported Motomitch's file and it work as it should. I noticed that G-Code genrated from his file gave a X and Y value of 45. With my file it gave a value of 2.2 for a value that should be 45. The fact that Motomitch's file generated the correct value must mean that the scaling was not on.

Thinking that maybe the dfx file I generated was incorrect, I used DeskEngrave to create three letters (ABC) at 72 pts, which translate to 25.4mm in height. Imported it in Mach3 and yet again the G-Code was wrong! So where did I go wrong ?

Thanks again to all the help

[ger21]

Post the .dxf and we can see what size the .dxf is.

[parts]

Sorry Switcher, I was going to say in my earlier reply that I am not able to sendng to the G-Code file. In a hurry to response to everyone's help I forget to mention it.

Being wrong I deleted it, if you think that the G-Code may throw some light I would be happy to re-generate it and sent it on.

Thanks
Jock

[Switcher]

Go ahead and post your g-code , couldn't hurt anything, we'll have a look at it.

[parts]

Here are the files for my 45mm square. Thanks for the help

Jock

[parts]

Don't know why G-Code didn't get sent. Here it is-
Switcher, if you look at it you will find the X and Y values are way out.
I imported the dfx file into Mach3 and generated the code. Juat as I did with Motomitch's dfx, except his came out right.

[tobyaxis]

Don't know why G-Code didn't get sent. Here it is-
Switcher, if you look at it you will find the X and Y values are way out.
I imported the dfx file into Mach3 and generated the code. Juat as I did with Motomitch's dfx, except his came out right.

This is a quick geometry for NC code for others to see so they can help you. I ran your program and loaded your DXF and the G-Code matches what you have drawn. Maybe your WPC needs to be changed.

[Ozemale6t9]

The move values in your program are imperial equivalents of 45mm. I am assuming that your machine is metric, so you will need to convert those values into metric. I am not familiar with Mach3, but is there an option to output in metric?

regards, Oz

[ger21]

Corel Draw is saving you're drawing in inches, not mm. 1.77 inches. You need to scale it up by 25.4

[parts]

I have been trying out different things and I have finally found that if I save my files as .plt files they work. With all software that have used I have in fact set it to metric. It must have revert to inches with my knowing.

By using .plt files I am getting very good results. I like to thank all of you for the help and advice extend to me.

Jock

[Jeff Roark]

take a look at www.simplecnc.com
It is an easy way to make G-Code file