how many people use Mach 3 to run their Taigs ?

Admin · Number of posts: 573 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Age: 49

mach 3

Postby tbaxter on 03 Dec 2008 09:04
how many people use Mach 3 to run their Taigs ?

Does is use regular Fanuc G.code ?

Re: mach 3

Postby ASTROGUY on 03 Dec 2008 18:34
I have been using Mach 3 since I got my Taig and love it.

Re: mach 3

Postby awerby on 05 Dec 2008 20:59

tbaxter wrote:how many people use Mach 3 to run their Taigs ?

[Taig has been bundling Mach with the new DSLS mills since they were introduced, so there's starting to be quite a few of us. I'm not sure about the exact number, though.]

Does is use regular Fanuc G.code ?

[Yes, it wants plain-vanilla G-code of the Fanuc variety. Mach has a few special commands, like G64/65 (constant contouring on/off) but it's otherwise quite standard, and is tolerant of lots of things that other CNC programs are particular about - you can put "%" signs at the beginning and end of your programs, for example, or leave them off; it doesn't care.]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

timothysvec · Number of posts: 37 Registration date: 2008-12-08 Age: 45 Location: miami beach

I love mach3

telder4336 · Number of posts: 24 Registration date: 2009-01-27

Mach3 user here as well....great software.

Mark Scrivener · Subject: Wizards in Mach3 Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:07 am

I've been playing with the demo version (no mill yet) and reading the documentation. How useful do people find the wizards? Also, how helpful (or cumbersome) do you find Mach3 when you want to perform a simple manual operation on your CNC mill (i.e. using Mach 3 jog commands and wizards as a substitute for turning the cranks)?

Thanks,
Mark

fretsman · Number of posts: 414 Registration date: 2008-12-07 Age: 43

Hi Mark,

The wizards in Mach 3 are actually very helpful for just mundane type machining such as surfacing, slotting, or whatever. Just remember, any of the "Newfangled" wizards need a license that will have to be purchased separately but the rest are free and quite useful.

As for manual jogging, it's a no brainer and if you connect a joggin pendant like a game controller or a "Shuttle Pro 2" like I use, it's even more of a no brainer as something like an analog gamepad or the analog shuttle act as a variable speed so you're not just pushing a keyboard button and getting one speed.

My Shuttle Pro 2 (modified a bit):

Hope that helps-
Dave

Admin · Number of posts: 573 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Age: 49

Mark...

if you hit the Tab key, you can slow down the Jog to any % you need

The Wizards are Great if you need that Quick circle pocket or Drill pattern, has a neat Engraving wizard also....

Mark Scrivener · Number of posts: 74 Registration date: 2009-01-26 Location: San Jose

Thanks guys. I've played with the wizards (demo mode) and looked at the shuttle options, but didn't know how useful they really were. When I look around at home shops I see a lot of people with a larger manual mill (Sieg X3 or bigger) and a CNC Taig or Sherline. This made me wonder if the "manual" features on the CNC were really that useful. Sounds like they are.

Admin · Number of posts: 573 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Age: 49

Mark....

whats your timeframe to be up and running....?

Mark Scrivener · Number of posts: 74 Registration date: 2009-01-26 Location: San Jose

Brian,

I assume you mean the mill - I've been using the Taig lathe for a few years now.

The answer to your question depends on when I get a job. Unfortunately I've been out of work since mid Nov and the prospects aren't that great at the moment. Unless I come up with a solid business proposal, the mill is going to wait until I land a job....bummer 'cuz I could really use this time to get up to speed (which is why I'm spending time w/ Mach 3 and Alibre).

-Mark

Admin · Number of posts: 573 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Age: 49

Sorry to hear that Mark, hope you are Able to find Something...

Yea I meant the Mill,

You are doing things the right way though, Learn as Much as you can about CNC and Mach3.......

When you get the Mill you will be Ready to Go......

Bryan

fretsman wrote:

Hi Mark,

The wizards in Mach 3 are actually very helpful for just mundane type machining such as surfacing, slotting, or whatever. Just remember, any of the "Newfangled" wizards need a license that will have to be purchased separately but the rest are free and quite useful.

As for manual jogging, it's a no brainer and if you connect a joggin pendant like a game controller or a "Shuttle Pro 2" like I use, it's even more of a no brainer as something like an analog gamepad or the analog shuttle act as a variable speed so you're not just pushing a keyboard button and getting one speed.

My Shuttle Pro 2 (modified a bit):

Hope that helps-
Dave

Say dave I have a similar pad, but the dial in the center is a rotary control with one hole and it is all silver, how do you set it up to run with Mach 3 and do you have set up files for it you are willing to share?

Thanks Bryan

fretsman · Number of posts: 414 Registration date: 2008-12-07 Age: 43

Hi Bryan,

Unfortunately if you hae the silver shuttle, the plug-in that was written for Mach 3 will not work with that version.

Dave

Bryan

Yes Mine is the silver version, ok I will work on my own , thanks anyway Dave, your help is awesome!

Bryan