Problem With Threading Post Processing?

Guys,

Just a quick question to see if anyone else has run into this problem.

I'm having a play with an evaluation version of Dolphin Cam (Partmaster) for lathes, and tries a simple exercise to face, rough, profile, and thread a short shaft. All operations work on Partmaster when simulated. I then used the EMC post processor listed in the program, but there is an issue when the threading G code is used in Linuxcnc. The threading section runs, but instead of cutting parallel to the centreline of the shaft, the thread is cut at an angle of about 20 degrees in the general position it should be. I'm guessing a problem with the post processor, or settings I'm using in Linuxcnc, or something random.

Anyway, it's not a big issue at the moment, but if you have seen this problem before, I would appreciate your advice.

Cheers, Steve

Guys,

I've had a look at the G code Partmaster generated, (at first it was a bit like reading chicken entrails to find lotto numbers), and that's the problem.

It has a series of G01 moves which position the tool at the correct start point for the thread, (and correctly incrementing the depth on each pass), but the actual thread cutting move is a G00 which goes to a point at the correct Z point, but at an incorrect X point which is outside of he diameter of the proposed thread.

I will try and contact Dolphin, and see what they think.

Cheers, Steve

I contacted Dolphin support in the UK, and they quickly provided an updated PP file to be used with LinuxCNC. Them new PP produces a G76 move. I tried the new PP this morning, and it cuts a nice thread parallel to the Z axis. However, there is something screwy going on, as just prior to the start of the threading, it appears as if the sudden change in an offset or something - it is quite weird. I'm poking through the G code, but I can't work out. what is going on. For those who can read chicken entrails, I will attach the ppr (.txt) file and G code.

Thanks Andy,

Re the sudden change in an offset, I think I've messed up my tool offsets. I enabled offset display and the values are all over the place. I think I need to take a deep breath, and read up on a few things before I try anything new.



Cheers, Steve.

All good now, and making parts. Cheers, Steve.

It's been a couple months - did you end up buying the Dolphin and if so did it work out? I'm evaluating it now for a lathe and it looks easier than Fusion but the EMC post processor is spitting out a G17 instead of G18 and when I try to use my own custom tool the entire program just crashes (shuts down, disappears, no error message just gone.) I'm hoping that's just quirks in the evaluation version because otherwise it's a good CAM software for very little $$.

Joe.

Hi Joe,

I already had Dolphin for lathe and mill, but was only using it for the cnc router. I got it to do the usual turning, profiling, grooving stuff, and with the revised PP, also single-point threading and rigid tapping. (Note that I mainly use CamBam for most 2.5D stuff on the router, as I really like it.) My experience was that the evaluation version of Dolphin worked the same as the licensed version, except for the expiry period, so the issue may be something else?

Attached for your information and use is the latest PP file for Linuxcnc lathe I got from Dolphin. Note that I have changed the file type from .ppr to .txt, so that I could upload it to the forum. You will need to change it back to .ppr to use it.

Cheers, Steve.

Thanks! The demo had a 2009 PP that was giving me some funky results. The new one from you works nicely. I think the crashing was something I was doing wrong with the new tool configuration because I managed to get a couple to work. I'm going to buy the basic version now and use it for my wood lathe.