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- Sep 29, 2014
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Your main problem is the control is to simple for such work, a high end control with a conversational mode can quickly and easily be programmed for common operations by anyone that already knows how to run a manual machine.
By simple I mean that it will do everything that you want yet requires a copious amount of coding and tweaking. With a conversational control someone has added macros and sub programs for simple tasks.
This sort of control would probably cost far more then your machine however. I run some old 1990's Bridgeport EZ Path lathes which have a very simple to use control and require zero knowledge of G Code, there are certain things that it will not do in conversational mode however so it may also be programmed in raw G Code.
As an example the part pictured below can be programmed in 10 minutes or less using the conversational mode.
Line 1 PGM #
Line 2 Tool choice
Line 3 Path enter a number such as 1 in case you have more then one in a single program. The Path screen offers choices of rapid, line, arc, thread, drill, groove etc.
You then enter the part shape beginning with a Rapid move, the program for the part pictured below would be as follows, you need not enter an axis, X is first followed by Z, Rapid, Line and Arc commands are mere button pushes
Rapid 1.500 0.000 (this describes the beginning of the part)
Line 2.000 -.250 (any position towards the chuck past Z0 is minus)
Line 2.000 -3.500
Arc 3.000 -4.000 Radius .500 CCW (the tool moves from 2.000 -3.500 at a .500 radius to 3.750 -4.000)
Line 3.7500 -4.000
Arc 4.000 -4.125 Radius ,125 CW (the last line move describes the size of the stock)
Confirm Path
Rough, Pressing the rough button asks you for several inputs, finish allowance in X and Z, DOC, Feed rates, clearance distances and so on, you simply tab down the fields and enter whatever values you desire.
Finish, Pressing the finish button asks the same questions as roughing without the finish allowance, speeds, feeds and so on, it will run the complete profile in one shot.
Done, you have entered 6 lines of actual dimensions and maybe 15 fields of other data such as DOC, Feed rate and clearances.
As mentioned this assumes you can already run a manual lathe and have set the tools and know what you want to do with feeds speeds and doc
By simple I mean that it will do everything that you want yet requires a copious amount of coding and tweaking. With a conversational control someone has added macros and sub programs for simple tasks.
This sort of control would probably cost far more then your machine however. I run some old 1990's Bridgeport EZ Path lathes which have a very simple to use control and require zero knowledge of G Code, there are certain things that it will not do in conversational mode however so it may also be programmed in raw G Code.
As an example the part pictured below can be programmed in 10 minutes or less using the conversational mode.
Line 1 PGM #
Line 2 Tool choice
Line 3 Path enter a number such as 1 in case you have more then one in a single program. The Path screen offers choices of rapid, line, arc, thread, drill, groove etc.
You then enter the part shape beginning with a Rapid move, the program for the part pictured below would be as follows, you need not enter an axis, X is first followed by Z, Rapid, Line and Arc commands are mere button pushes
Rapid 1.500 0.000 (this describes the beginning of the part)
Line 2.000 -.250 (any position towards the chuck past Z0 is minus)
Line 2.000 -3.500
Arc 3.000 -4.000 Radius .500 CCW (the tool moves from 2.000 -3.500 at a .500 radius to 3.750 -4.000)
Line 3.7500 -4.000
Arc 4.000 -4.125 Radius ,125 CW (the last line move describes the size of the stock)
Confirm Path
Rough, Pressing the rough button asks you for several inputs, finish allowance in X and Z, DOC, Feed rates, clearance distances and so on, you simply tab down the fields and enter whatever values you desire.
Finish, Pressing the finish button asks the same questions as roughing without the finish allowance, speeds, feeds and so on, it will run the complete profile in one shot.
Done, you have entered 6 lines of actual dimensions and maybe 15 fields of other data such as DOC, Feed rate and clearances.
As mentioned this assumes you can already run a manual lathe and have set the tools and know what you want to do with feeds speeds and doc
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