[Jonathans]

Thanks for that Jim. Someone showed me a right hand rule once and I guess it got me all curfuddled. I think I got it now.
I start the next routine with a tool load and tool compensation coding, correct?

[Jim Dawson]

Yes, I think a tool load would be next, M6 Txx, then a, G43 Hxx, for the height comp. But I'm probably missing something here. If I have to I'll actually look it up. I have a bunch of Fadal G-code on my computer. A lot of the formatting will depend on the specific controller you have so all I can give you is just generalities. Does your BP have a tool changer? If not, a G28 (home) M0 (non-optional stop) might be a good way to handle a tool change.

[Jonathans]

No, no tool changer. Just a power drawbar. Can you recommend a simulator I can run gcode on to see how it runs? I have the one from cnc cookbook but cant seem to get it to work.

[Jim Dawson]

With no tool changer, M0 would be the way to go. BTW, what controller is on your BP? You may as well start writing G-code specific to that controller, not all flavors of G-code are the same, and each controller has it's own little quirks and wants things formatted a certain way.

I've never used a simulator in other than my program. There is a simulation function in Mach3, it's free to download and allows you to run about 250 lines of G-code in the trial version. Or you could download Fusion 360. It's free to hobbyists and small businesses. A bit of a learning curve but has full featured CAM built in with simulation. I have never tried importing G-code into that, but it might be able to do it. I think there is also a simulation plugin for CamBam, another free trial download. I know CamBam will import G-code.

EDIT: it seems you already have Fusion 360

[Jonathans]

Thanks Jim.
My machine will be running on Mach 4 through a MachMotion controller.
I have downloaded and started to learn Fusion360. I can finally generate a drawing of a part but can't apply dimensions if it is in 3d, so I converted to 2d pdf where I could insert dimensions. No luck yet on figuring out the CAM function.
I'll see if CamBam is any easier.

[Jim Dawson]

Since you are going to be using Mach4, why not download the demo and use it's simulator?

CamBam is simple, but like anything else there is a learning curve. The good news is that I use it all the time for simple stuff and can help you through it. It is also capable of some basic drafting, but is a bit clunky to use.

I can also offer some assistance with Fusion 360 CAM, it's really pretty intuitive once you know what result you are looking for. It's mostly just a matter of getting the settings right for what you want it to do. Understanding the end goal is sometimes the challenge.

[Jonathans]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for your time. I can't seem to locate the Mach4 simulator. Might you have a link for it?

[Jim Dawson]

Sorry I didn't answer sooner, been in the shop all day. There should be a simulator built into Mach4, just like Mach3. If not, just download Mach3 and play with that. Failing all of that, I'll send you a link to download my CNC software, you can run simulations in it. I didn't suggest that before because I was hoping you could use Mach4 for simulations, since that's what you are going to be working with.

[Jonathans]

Thanks, I'll give Machmotion a call tomorrow to see if they can get me what I need.