Two quick programming/compatibility questions

[aarn]

Ok, I just ran a test and I seemed to have less errors with the code generated by the Fanuc control than the Mach3.

I have attached the Mach3 MasterCam x6 machine definition and post, and also noted the Shopbot Mastercam x7 machine definition and post origins**, for anyone interested in it.

Thanks again everyone for your help, I'll update this thread if I make any breakthroughs.

Aaron

**http://www.patongroup.com/downloads.html

[adrianm]

To be honest you're going to have a learning curve on any machine whether it supports "gcode" or not. It's a very loose standard.

I see the way the CNC, 3D printing world is going (or even gone) being very similar to the programming industry in the 70's/80's. When I started if you couldn't program in machine code/assembler you weren't considered a "real" programmer and using higher level languages was considered a bit soft.

With the advances in CAD/CAM programs I personally can only see very specialised needs to delve into the actual code. 99% of work will be done through the high level design programs.

I used to spend a lot of time poring over code looking for optimisations etc but these days I just push the button on the code produced by the Vectric software from my designs and save hours of work. I have several friends who work in the automotive and racing industries with complex multi-axis machines and they don't touch the code that the design programs output either.

Just my two pennies worth.

[aarn]

Adrian,

I totally agree with you about the direction that things are heading. Up until this issue with the Shopbot, I had never looked at my code, and I trusted the toolpaths that MC created completely.

I'm a designer/engineer, not a machinist or programmer. The machine is just a tool that helps me be more self-sufficient, not my focus. If I never had to look at the code that would be fine with me.

I'm trying to get this system dialed in so that I can get back to focusing on the things that I am trying to make. I'm not afraid of a learning curve, I just wasn't anticipating the programming language to be something that held me up, since everyone who I talked to at Shopbot (and the previous owner of the machine) said that gcode was supported. It is my fault for not reading the handbook for the machine prior to purchasing one, but I was under the impression that the SB language was just a bonus, not a higher prioritized language for the machine. I guess that is what it really comes down to.

But, I don't want to linger on this. I'm at a point where I think that I have my workflow figured out and I'm ready to get back to work. I'm optimistic about the Shopbot and the parts that I have cut have been acceptable.

Thanks everyone.

Aaron