I managed to get a program running on the machine over DNCX at cd, 10 baud rate.
I am running trochoidal toolpaths similar to volumill, or imachining and have run into an issue where the error 'helical raduis too small' or something similar appears. In the fadal manuals it is suggested that a helix with a steep z (thanks to fadal for actually giving some numbers?) may cause this issue, or that the feed rate may be too high.
I read in one of the manuals that the fadal max cutting feed rate is 400 ipm, max rapid is 700 ipm (this can be even faster if feed override is set to 150%). I am wondering if those specs apply to the 1993 (1400-4 cpu, cnc88) machine that I have. The control will actually run at 400 ipm in the programs, but it moves seemingly faster than a normal rapid set to 100%, and when coming to a stop it does not decelerate graciously. Anyone know the specs for my 1993 machine?
I will try slowing down the max feeds. Trochoidal paths always cut, then reposition rapidly, then cut, and repeat. the machine flies fast through the program until I setup a path with small radii. The line that will cause the machine to throw the error is one like:
N288 G01 X2.1886 Y-0.7952
N290 G03 X2.192 Y-0.8039 Z-0.108 I0.0062 J-0.0026
N292 G01 X2.2063 Y-0.8103 F400.
where the previous z value was 3 thou lower (this is a helix exit, then 'rapid' movement) even tho the rapid is just force programmed rather than issuing a G00.
I'll keep working on the helical radius error message thing. The next thing that is bugging me is the fairly ugly banging caused by very fast accel / decel. There is a G51 R-1.0 code that can be used to set the accelerations. the -1.0 means x,y set to normal accel / decel. a smaller than 1 number means faster, and a larger than 1 number means slower.
I am wondering if anyone uses these codes to slow down accel/decel in trochoidal paths to try and get rid of the nasty banging. I've read some arguments about how the banging isnt really that bad on the machine, but I don't think what I've read is right. It seems very rough on the machine and I need this mill to last me as long as possible (notice I bought a 1993, in 2013).
Too bad fadal doesn't allow access to 'machine parameters' the same way a heidenhain or fanuc does (as far as I know)...
So far I am very happy with my 'new' VMC. Lots to learn still, but I definately want to solve this trochoidal paths issue since thats the kind of machining needed to stay competitive these days.