Will shopbot run gcode

[mmason]

I have been looking for software to run my indexer.
Indexer Wizards seems to give more control of indexer but uses gcode. I am not sure if this would work with shopbot or not.Here is the site for software. http://www.wizardsbyrich.embarqspace.com
Any help would be appreciated.

[Gary Campbell]

Michael...
There are a few different "variations" of G Code, and I am not completely sure how these apply to rotary axes, but yes, a ShopBot running the newer software will run G Code. Those of us
using the SB Link are doing this on a daily basis.
Gary

[mmason]

Thanks much for the info.
I do alright with the indexer setup under tools but would like more control on all axis at same time.
Mike

[bill.young]

FYI, the list of supported G-code commands is on the ShopBot wiki at http://shopbotwiki.com/index.php?title=GCodeMain

Bill

[myxpykalix]

you can run Richs wizards on the shopbot. I have worked with him and his wizards. Initially they wouldn't translate shopbot A,B moves but Ted graciously fixed that so they would work.

[Gary Campbell]

Michael...
ShopBot is capable of moving all axes simultaneously. What is it you cant seem to do?
Gary

[Gary Campbell]

Jack..
You are correct. I talked about this with Rich at the Vectric User Group in Columbia last weekend. I want 100% sure, but I did not see anything that wouldnt work.
Gary

[mmason]

I use the Indexer setup and do just fine with all my turnings. I can reed a bed post fallowing a profile drawing but would like to also do a rope post bed fallowing the profile drawing.

Mike

[mmason]

If the indexer program gave me more control of all axis I could reed a bed post from the side following the profile drawing. I do this from the top now but keep breaking the tip of the bit from drag. I know I can do this by switching the x and y axis in the shopbot control panel but thought it would be nice to just program it in from the indexer program.

Mike

[rgoldner]

Jack, sorry the current version of the Indexer Wizards are a standalone program. The generated gcode will not run on a Shopbot because it uses G93/G94 codes. G93 is inverse time feed mode. G94 returns to standard feed mode.

If someone with a Shopbot and a rotary axis would like to help me do some testing I might be able to get around this problem.

[Gary Campbell]

Rich...
Nice to see you made your way over here. On my way south I was wishing I had jumped into the G93/G94 issue at Jim's get together. I am still sure that it can be overcome with a little work.

There is surely someone in this group that can develop a work around. Many indexer users can benefit from your Wizard, I am sure. And in this economy, adding numbers to your customer base can't hurt either. IS there a resource that explains the G93/94 commands?

Welcome to the ShopBot Forum.
Gary

[mmason]

Rich I sent you an email.

MIke

[rgoldner]

How do you run gcode on the Shopbot? I've been told that it runs directly and I've also been told that it has to be converted first. Does anyone know how to run gcode?

[Ryan Patterson]

ShopBot version 3.5 and above will run G code directly. Older versions of ShopBot 3 would have to be run through a converter. You can take a look at http://shopbotwiki.com/index.php?title=GCodeMain for supported G Code commands. You can download and install SB3 and run in preview mode. With 3.6.5 you can set the number of axis to 5 using the Values Display [VD]. Once the display is set to 5 axis you will have a check box on the ShopBot position screen for an indexer. Check the indexer box then the previewer will show a turned tool path.

[rgoldner]

Hi Ryan. Nice to hear from you. I did download the SB software.

How can I run one gcode line at a time and see the line run by watching the DROs in the position screen.

Would you be willing to allow me to connect to your computer (or you connect to mine) so that you could give me a quick lesson on how to do this?

Thanks!

[gerryv]

Ryan, does that mean as long as the file doesn't include any of the unsupported G codes?

[Ryan Patterson]

You can use the FG command to step through a file. The position will not update but the line is highlighted in the green display. You can also check with the previewer. Hover your mouse over a tool path line in the preview window the line number of the file will be displayed.

[Ryan Patterson]

Garald,
You will get a message if there is an unsupported line.

[gerryv]

Thanks much for the feedback Ryan,
For code challenged characters like me and other newbies as well I'm sure, getting that message pretty much guarantees an "ahh...now what!" situation, which is why Indexer Wizards like Rich's would be such a Godsend - the very reason SB code was written and has proven to be a Godsend to so many card carrying members of the Flat Earth Society - and that's truly meant as a lighthearted jest by the way as I realize that my needs are not mainstream in the CNC router world or perhaps even economically viable for customer and quality focused company's like SB to pursue.