Re: Vector with EMC

Hi Hugh,

Interesting comments. I am surprised that you convert G02/G03 I & J's
to Radius! NIST (EMC) supports the I J K for arcs just fine. I've
heard that the radius (R) approach is prone to errors if the arc's are
very big. Perhaps this is why you had to resort to 6 decimals? It
won't even handle full, or near full arcs, I'm told (ambiguous). And I
certainly think it's more difficult to write the controller code for (I
gave up for now).

I wonder if the radius approach was an older implementation, before the
machines (controller) got better/faster processors?

I'd agree that Vector and EMC are a painless connection. And Yes,
Vector's "vector" approach to tool paths seems to really grasp the
intent of the drawing!

Thanks for the comments!

Alan KM6VV


currinh@... wrote:

>
> Alan, et al:
>
> I am using EMC and starting to learn some Vector. So far I like Vector
> and the connection (G-code) to EMC is painless. As I said, I'm just
> learning Vector so my comments are as a novice. If anyone can correct or
> add to my learning please let me know.
>
> I have been using the EMC post-processor in Vector. I've found I need to
> make a few changes to the set up. These include outputing G02/G03 moves
> using radius rather than I/J and output 6 decimal places for X/Y/Z.
> Also, for radius compenstation you need to manually add the 'D'
> parameter for tool number following a G41 command. I also remove the
> line numbers in Vector prior to exporting the G-code file, EMC doesn't
> need these and I find it easier to modify the code if needed.
>
> I'm only doing 2D as I only have X & Y going so far. I generate the
> profile in another CAD package (Q-CAD or Cadkey) and import as *.dxf to
> Vector. These come through well. I very much like Vector's methods of
> selecting contours and directions. Also, the Approach and Depart are
> great.
>
> I know I've only scratched the surface of Vector and have a long ways to
> go. But so far all is well and it fits with EMC well.
>
> I hope this is along the lines of your questions and is of some help.
>
> Hugh Currin
> Klamath Falls, OR
>
> On 10 Dec, seanc62 wrote:
> > If the EMC BDI is fairly do-able I might be
> > tempted to go that way. I purchased Vector CAD/CAM, so I'm interested
> > in hearing how things work with Vector (if there are any issues
> > to/worth mentioning).
>