help with using lathercam designer please

[audio.fi]

Hi,

I have started to learn to use lathecam designer, and have been studying the book for it.

Having done this, I have come across a few questions which hopefully, someone can help with.

I do not see any way to bore holes other than drilling, even thought the machine came with boring tools that look like they were with the machine from new, so is there any way to bore out using them, say for instance, if I wanted to fit a ball-race bearing in the end of a bar, so would want a shoulder in the bore.

I am confused about the make thread function; There does not seem to be any way to specify the pitch, although there is a function in the parameters to change a value, but not exactly sure what the value pertains to (i.e. it is set to 0.0610 metric). Is this feed per rev as on a manual lathe, and how is the depth of cut of the thread achieved as I can see no way to alter this. Say, I wanted an M10 x 1.5mm pitch thread, how would this be set ?

How is a groove achieved, or is this not possible ?

When drilling, there is a tick box for "centre drill", but there seems to be no such tool in the tool selection list, so how is this achieved ?

The lathecam manual does not explain how to zero the offsets for each tool, so how is this done ?

When selecting the the billet size, is this the actual part of the bar that is protruding AFTER the chuck jaws, i.e. if say, I have a bar 100mm long that fits through the spindle bore, and I only want to machine say 50mm of it, would I put the bar protruding say 55mm out of the chuck, and select 55mm as the billet length ?

Sorry if these questions seem simple to you, but when new to this, some things seem very confusing.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Thanks.

[Denford Admin]

Most of the things you're wanting to do aren't possible with LatheCAM...I've never really used it but am sure grooves are impossible as you physically can't draw any back faces.
At the end of the day, it's an old piece of software, designed for school kids to make very simple shapes.
For learning a bit about CNC it's great, but it sounds like you need a lot more flexibility already.
If you want to stick with it, then you could happily use LatheCAM to create the basic shape required, and then get into G-Code programming to manually program shoulders/ grooves / thread etc...Alternatively, I'm sure there will be better free/cheap Lathe CAM packages you could find, which will do everything you need.

[audio.fi]

Thank you very much for the helpful reply.

I did search a while back for various software , but none seem to work properly, or are very expensive.

Have you any recommendations that would make simple items and get me started ?

I have great ideas to make more complicated items and when the time comes would perhaps invest in having the machines upgraded to use the exciting looking vr softwares both for the miling machine and the lathe, but for now, I simply want to make something simple, but lathecam seems too simple as you have explained.

Thanks.

[Denford Admin]

It's not something I've looked into much.
Try the mach software, which lots of people around here seem to like (well for mills anyway - not sure what, if any, lathe CAM options they have)
http://www.machsupport.com/

If you're going to end up spending more than £100 though, I'd definitely recommend our LatheCAM replacement: QuickTurn 2D
http://www.denford.ltd.uk/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=99

[audio.fi]

Thank you for writing back.

I did ask about this a few weeks ago when I was trying to get lathecam to work, and was informed it would be about £150 for the licence which seems very good value from other software I have seen. The main problem is that there doesn't seem to be a trial version to download as I think I tried this last time, and it doesn't load at all.
Is this correct or did I do something wrong last time ? Most of the software out there seem to be both save and g-code disabled which is fine as it still allows you to see how easy or otherwise it is to use so if this is not a feature, then perhaps it could be looked into as an option before purchase.

Also, have I got this correct then, in that it cannot be used to control the machine I have (novaturn, but non upgraded version, i.e. is running flstep for control and 486 p.c.), so that being the case, I would design the part on my modern windows xp p.c., then have the software generate g-code and save this to floppy to load into flstep ?

Thanks.

[Denford Admin]

Download QuickTurn from here:
http://www.website.denford.ltd.uk/suppo ... -downloads

If you don't have a license, it'll still install and run (on XP or above) - it just won't let you create the G Code file.

The GCode created could present some problems for the older software however,eg, (G33/G32?) single cut thread may do something different to the current machines.
As it is, the GCode output has no options to support anything other than current machines+latest VR Turning, so you may end up having to alter bits here and there.

Here is an example gcode output which includes some threading:

Code: Select all

(QuickTURN 2D Design - buffer.LCM)
(09/03/2010)
(Material Type: aaaaaa)
(Tools in order of use: )
(Tool 1: Right Hand Turning Tool Tip Angle 65°)
(Tool 7: Right Hand Groove/Parting Tool Tip Width 2.200mm)
(Tool 1: Right Hand Turning Tool Tip Angle 65°)
(Tool 5: Right Hand External Threading Tool Tip Angle 60°)
(Tool 7: Right Hand Groove/Parting Tool Tip Width 2.200mm)
G21
[BILLET X15 Z35
G98
G28U0W0
(Face Off Cut)
M06T0101
G97M03S1800
G98F120
G00X16.589Z1.967
G01X15Z0
G01X-0.800
G00X1.589Z1.967
G00X16.589
G97M03S1800
(Forward Roughing Cut)
G00Z2.367
G00X15.969
G01X14.380Z0.400
G01Z-33.637
G00X17.380Z-32.137
G00Z0.400
G01X14.380
G01X12.880
G01Z-33.434
G00X15.880Z-31.934
G00Z0.400
G01X12.880
G01X11.380
G01Z-33.326
G00X14.380Z-31.826
G00Z0.400
G01X11.380
G01X9.880
G01Z-33.230
G00X12.880Z-31.730
G00Z0.400
G01X9.880
G01X8.380
G01Z-33.148
G00X11.380Z-31.648
G00Z0.400
G01X8.380
G01X6.880
G01Z-33.077
G00X9.880Z-31.577
G00Z0.400
G01X6.880
G01X5.380
G01Z-33.020
G00X8.380Z-31.520
G00Z0.400
G01X5.380
G01X3.880
G01Z-7.646
G00X6.880Z-6.146
G00Z0.400
G01X3.880
G01X2.380
G01Z0.277
G00X5.380Z1.777
G00X18
(Forward Roughing Profile Cut)
G00X16.589Z2.367
G00X0.811
G01X-0.779Z0.400
G01X1.493
G01X1.800
G01X2.108
G01X2.336Z0.297
G01X2.565Z0.194
G01X3.272Z-0.125
G01X3.800Z-0.363
G01Z-0.541
G01Z-0.719
G01Z-7.600
G01X4.500
G01Z-8
G01Z-8.400
G01Z-32.947
G01Z-32.953
G01Z-32.954
G01Z-32.956
G01Z-32.954
G01X4.626Z-32.995
G01X4.590Z-32.994
G03X13.469Z-33.480R45.239
G01X13.506Z-33.483
G01X13.538Z-33.486
G01X13.600Z-33.490
G01X13.617Z-33.491
G01X13.633Z-33.493
G01X13.684Z-33.498
G01X13.633Z-33.493
G03X15.396Z-34.450R1.082
G01X15.403Z-34.505
G01X15.415Z-34.593
G01X15.428Z-34.685
G01X15.415Z-37.202
G01X15.646Z-37.317
G01X15.880Z-37.434
G01Z-37.600
G00X17.469Z-35.633
G00X16.589
(Groove Roughing Cut)
M06T0707
G97M03S1800
G98F35
G00X17Z-36.287
G00X15.846
G01X14.912
G00X15.846
G00X15.777Z-36.573
G01X14.398
G00X15.777
G00X17
G00Z-37.099
G00X16.108
G01X14.301
G00X16.108
G00X15.777Z-36.573
G01X14.396
G00X15.777
G00X17
G00Z-37.199
G00X16.309
G01X14.300
G00X17
(Groove Finishing Cut)
G97M03S1800
G00X15.849Z-36.287
G00X15.460
G01X14.612
G01X14.096Z-36.574
G00X15.849
(Groove Finishing Cut)
G97M03S1800
G00Z-36.319
G00X15.404
G01X14.555
G01X14.000Z-37.100
G00X15.849
(Groove Finishing Cut)
G97M03S1800
G00Z-36.574
G00X14.944
G01X14.096
G01X14.000Z-37.200
G00X15.849
(Forward Finish Profile Cut)
M06T0101
G97M03S2400
G98F90
G00X16.589Z1.967
G00X0.800
G01X-0.789Z0.000
G01X1.493
G01X1.800
G01X2.029Z-0.103
G01X2.736Z-0.422
G01X3.000Z-0.541
G01Z-0.719
G01Z-8.000
G01X3.700
G01Z-8.400
G01Z-32.949
G01Z-32.962
G01Z-32.972
G02X4.512Z-33.393R0.443
G01X4.574Z-33.395
G03X13.386Z-33.879R44.841
G01X13.482Z-33.886
G01X13.575Z-33.896
G03X14.603Z-34.510R0.682
G01X14.628Z-34.698
G01X14Z-35.476
G01Z-37.200
G01X14.200
G01X15.000
G01Z-37.600
G01X15.080
G00X16.589
(External Threading Operation)
M06T0505
G97M03S450
G98F250.012
G00X5Z0.508
G01X2.400
G32X2.400Z-8F0.500
G00X5
G00Z0.491
G01X2.342F250.012
G32X2.342Z-8F0.500
G00X5
G00Z0.491
G01X2.342F250.012
G32X2.342Z-8F0.500
G00X5
G00Z0.491
G01X2.342F250.012
G32X2.342Z-8F0.500
G00X5
G00Z-0.319
(Part Off Cut)
M06T0707
G97M03S1800
G98F35
G00X17Z-37.200
G01X-0.200
G00X17
M05
G28U0W0
M30

[audio.fi]

Hi,

I have downloaded quickturn and it did install, but when I try to use the wizard, I get this erros message :-

access violation at address 006BDA7C in module 'quickTURN2D.exe. read of address 0000001E

Any ideas ?

Thanks.

[Denford Admin]

It could be related to 3D / graphics drivers - try turning hardware acceleration off.
What OS and spec of PC are you trying it on ?

[audio.fi]

Hi,

It running at the moment on a Samsung NC10 netbook with win XP.

It has integrated graphics and I have tried your suggestion i.e. I turned off acceleration and also tried turning off "enable write combining" but neither made any difference.

I should say that it falters after showing the tools menu within the wizard, if this helps.

If you can help it would be appreciated.

Also, if anyone reading this has any other ideas as an alternative (paid of free) that will make g-code graphically as in quickturn or lathecam designer. Thanks.

[Denford Admin]

After the tool page, the wizard calculates the toolpaths. This makes heavy use of openGL features, memory and CPU.
It could just be that a netbook is not up to the job, or it could be something to do with material or tool settings...for example, if the material settings are corrupt, it could be trying to create thousands of cuts at tiny (or huge) increments.

[audio.fi]

Hi,

I found out the problem; I wasn't understanding what the wizard was for (please understand I am new to all this , and didn't realise that it has to have a profile on the billet first, and as soon as I made a shape on it it worked. It looks much better than the lathecam, so I was wondering if there is a proper manual I can study as the only one with it is a quickstart guide which is very basic.

Thanks.


Also, my original thought that it could not be run in demo mode has come to my memory as to why I thought this, because I just installed the demo version of quickcam and when this is run, it says something like it has no registration, and has a button marked "upgrade" but then does nothing; By chance, I clicked the "upgrade" button which then, when cancelled, starts the software up, which the average user would not think to press the upgrade button to start a demo software; Quickturn did not do this but came straight on.

Anyway, having tried quickcam, is there no way to have it in a 3d mode like quickturn, as it would appear that vr milling is required which I would expect is a more expensive product and would be an extra expense above the cost of quickcam. I am considering purchasing both pieces of software (i.e. quickturn and quickcam), so this would be of help to know; Perhaps there is a plug-in for 3d ?

Thanks.

[Denford Admin]

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2235
The upgrade/update button is confusing...it is supposed to mean, "Upgrade the license" because it appear on the license screen, but most people think it means check for software updates.
QuickTurn comes pre-installed with a demonstration license file, then when you buy the full version, you just overwrite it.

You'll have to ask for a deal on QuickTurn 2D Design, QuickCAM 2D Design and QuickCAM 3D(if we still supply it...)

[audio.fi]

Hi,

I downloaded quickcam 3d, but that will not load at all; After I get to the upgrade screen (like in quickcam 2d), and clicking cancel, which in quickcam 2d makes it then load and run, the screen only screen flashes and then nothing happens ? Any ideas ?

Thanks.

[bradders]

The software you downloaded is not Freeware or Shareware, you have to pay for it.

[audio.fi]

Perhaps you should learn to read properly, and the WHOLE THREAD.

I was asking why it would not load to try it out.

[bradders]

Perhaps i am too busy solving paying customers problems !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[audio.fi]

Nice !

I was considering being a paying customer, and have been writing here for a few days to get help in trying the software out before purchasing, and if you read the thread completely you would have known this.

I hope you don't work for Denford because if this is the sort of customer service you give when someone is asking about a product, It would make anyone think again about purchasing.

You should get that chip off your shoulder; This is a forum, not a shop.

Perhaps the original nice person that was replying to this thread and was actually helping me could continue doing so if they read this.

[bradders]

I do work for Denford's in Technical Support, the Technical Forum is free service provided by Denford's. We only answer threads when we are not busy with everyday work, so usually dont have time to read the thead from start to finish, in your case it has 14 entries.

"Perhaps you should learn to read properly, and the WHOLE THREAD.

I was asking why it would not load to try it out."

The above comment does not do you any favours, especially when we are only trying to keep this free service running.

[audio.fi]

I am surprised to here you work for Denford, as I would have thought you would need more manners than you seem to display. Your comment about not being able to read the whole thread is a very important one. Why comment on the last part of a conversation when you do not know all the facts ?

For some reason you are giving the rest of the forum readers the impression that I am trying to get this software for nothing when all I am trying to do is try it out in their demo modes.

I tried the other 2 software titles out (quickcam 2d and quickturn 2d) and like them but wanted the 3d capability of the quickturn 2d for the quickcam. I then downloaded the quickcam 3d but it will not work properly so I wrote here for help.

Your comments are plain wrong and it is not acceptable to me that you are making out I am taking and not giving as it were; When I first got these machines I had help from the forum, and in the only way that I could help (since I don't know much about cnc), I spent hours scanning and uploading every item of literature that came with them.

So your comments are not welcome, and you should have a think about how you speak to people on this forum or "Denford's" customers.

An apology would not go a-mis either !!

P.S. Even if you only read the last thread I wrote before you commented you should have understood that I was trying to try it out, I never mentioned that I thought it was "freeware" or anything like that.

Perhaps Denford admin would like to make a comment on this, as I would like this clarified on this thread for all who contribute or ask questions to read.

B.T.W. I was not aware that the writer of a question had to be a customer as well !!

[bradders]

OK, valid point.

I have just down loaded Quickcam 3D, you have to unzip it if you are not aware of that fact,once unzipped run the AutoRun.exe and ignore the the code installation section. You should then have Quickcam 3D (But this will not save an .FNC file)

BTW we do not sell Quickcam 3D but only Quickcam Pro, Quickcam 3D is only there for existing users who have it already and may want to get the laset version