RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] EMC Lathe setup

Chris,

Use a different run and ini file to bring EMC up in configured for your
lathe v/s your mill mode. While it is not conventional I have my EMC on the
Shoptask set so in lathe mode it is X & Y not the conventional X & Z. I then
modified the macro (post) in Vector so that when outputting for the lathe it
converts the code to match my setup. Lets me switch from lathe to mill by
just closing EMC and starting with a different shortcut. To handle the
diameter properly I have Vector configured to output radius movements not
diameter.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

> -----Original Message-----
> How to set up emc on a lathe that is also a mill?
>
> I was given an old sherline-based cnc lathe, and have basically
> finished fixing the things wrong with it, and have made it go with a
> test program written in basic. I had to use the X slide off a
> sherline mill to replace the missing cross slide, and since that left
> the mill useless I modified the column to attach in place of the lathe
> headstock (which will complicate things in a minute).
>
> I've gotten EMC (August 2000) up and running on rtlinux-2.0.36-.0.7
> Got the green digits and made it execute code (without motors connected).
>
> Now I'm trying to figure out how to orient the axis. I understand
> lathe conventions would be with X and Z, although I'm not sure where
> the origin is then, or how to get tkemc to display that nicely. I
> figure I could fix the diameter problem simply by lying to emc.ini
> about the number of steps or the axis scale. (If I do this though,
> will I still be able to cut radii with G02/03?) Using lathe
> conventions would be good, as a primary goal of getting the little
> machine going is to gain experience for converting a 13" swing lathe.
>
> OTOH, if I set it up as a lathe, then everything will be wrong if I
> attach the mill head, with or without a powered Z axis... I suppose I
> could and should have a seperate set of files for mill mode, but is
> there someway to 'rewire' the axis in software?
>
> Also, is there any way to get tkemc to use function keys the way xemc
> would? I'd like to minimize use of the mouse when there are chips
> flying everywhere.
>
> Chris
>
>
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