Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: 3D Contouring - Loss of Accuracy

Egroupscdh (E-mail) wrote:

>Doesn't sound like a good idea to me if this 'covers up' lost steps
>somewhere and doesn't notify you.
>
>I realize it's a pain but, unless you know the source of the lost steps, how
>can you have confidence in your machine and/or control system?
>

Actually Chuck, your right. But, the nice thing is this is first of all
an option to use, Some fellows who run files for 24 hours may already
know that they have some deviation of a few thou, no matter what the
cause. If they are too "busy" to fix it, they might just be able to run
it with this option anyhow. Like someone running big 3d bathtub molds.
They really could care less if they drifted .020 or .050. IF, they have
a machine that does lose steps, it certainly couldn't hurt to get a new
"fix" on Machine zero. Again, it depends on THEIR particular needs.

The next thing is that the "option" in itself has more options. You can
install the G27 at the end of the file, and if you have the option set
to "always display results", it will not reset Zero without your
knowledge, yet, you did not have to be there to manually perform the
"home" function to find out. This is real convenient for us guys who
allow machines to run unattended. If the machine comes back with "loss",
no matter what the reason, you might conclude to toss the part it just
made if tolerance has been exceeded.

Obviously, manually performing a "homing" event is not hard..... but,
some machines and limit switches need to go slow as it hits them. And
then, like in my case where I have the machine "Step Off" of the
switches quite a ways for actual Machine Zero, well, this too can take a
little time. I don't like standing around waiting for it to do that.

So all in all, its just a really great "option" to have. First, for the
guys who are still wrestling with step loss ( and there are quite a few
with all different software/driver compatability problems), They can
send the machine "home" to check and reset anywhere in the file without
being there. Second, it's not a bad idea to just rehome after every job
no matter what. I can't imagine not having it available.

As you indicated though, there is nothing like having a machine that you
can really depend on, Servo or Stepper.!

Chris L

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