[joe aiello]

SO I am new to CNC.I set up a two axis system(soon to be three axis). I would like to write some code to move the x axis and y axis a short distance(say 5" and 2")and later the z axis.
I have the Mack 3 demo loaded on a system.I have invoked some of the wizards and the motors move and the screens reflect this.
What do I do next? How do I write G code? Is there some place in Mack that explains this? ........ thanks......joe

[Bell 430]

Hello Joe
To write code, my suggestion would be to open Mach 3, on the bottom of the first screen there is a "G code" button and an "M" code button if you open either one of these, it'll explain what each "G" gode does.

IE G20= Inch mode
G90=Absolute mode

When I started writing code, I just started with a simple box. then as I read diffrent threads and diffrent places on the web (www.CNC cookbook.com) I started to improve my code.

for a box say 3"X3" it would be

g20 g90 g64(inches, absolute,continance mode with allowance)

g00x0y0z0(Starting point, tells the machine this is zero)
F4 (Feed Rate)
M6T2(M6 tool change, Which tool to change too)

g01 z-.010 (Cut depth)

g01 x3 (Move "X" 3 inches to the positive)
g01 y3 (Move "Y" 3 inches to the positive)
g01 x0 (Move "X" back to the start)
g01 y0 (Move "Y" back to start)

g00z.2 (Move "Z" up .2 inches above where the "Z" zero is)
m30 (Program end and rewind to beginning of program)

From here you can add "G41 or G42" these are offsets which either follow to the left or right of the line you cutting.

one nice thing with Mach 3 you don't actually have to do any cuts. the graphics window will show your project, also if your machine is turned off and you "Start" the program/project the cursor will move around the project.

I hope this helped, by the way this gets very addicting.
Brian