Hi guys,

first of all: AMAZING WORK and thanks a lot for doing this.
I have tested the post processor on a 3 Axis Machine and had some issues with the Spot and Deep drill operations.

Spot Drilling will output the following code:
( -------------------- )
( 4-SPOT DRILL - DRILL )
( -------------------- )
G0 X23. Y9.615 Z10. A0.
G82 Z-2.79 R0.21 P0 F200
X40.2 Y9.615 Z0.21
X57.4 Y9.615 Z0.21
X74.6 Y9.615 Z0.21
X91.8 Y9.615 Z0.21
X109. Y9.615 Z0.21
G80
( ---- End of 4-Spot Drill ---- )

Mach 3 (at least mine) does the first hole as planned but then moves to hole 2 at height 0.21 only, does not spot drill and move on to the next holes.

Same effect with deep drilling:
( ------------------------- )
( 5-4.2MM-DEEPDRILL - DRILL )
( ------------------------- )
G0 X23. Y9.615 Z10. A0.
G83 Z-7.732 R0.21 Q0. P0 F200
X40.2 Y9.615 Z0.21
X57.4 Y9.615 Z0.21
X74.6 Y9.615 Z0.21
X91.8 Y9.615 Z0.21
X109. Y9.615 Z0.21
G80
( ---- End of 5-4.2mm-DeepDrill ---- )

I manually edited the code to add the G83/G82 string after each re-positioning move and it works fine after that.

Did I do something wrong?

Thanks !

Is not an Issue, just a contribution. I change the controller definition, defined parametes and working style in the VMID file. Now can do a mill-turn operation in solidcam. Work fine for me in my cnc. Please check it. Thanks!

PD: sorry for my bad english, I´m from Argentina.

Mach3_4X_Y.zip

Hi, I wanted to know if I use the post process, can I still work using only the 3 axes I have is it only necessary when I work with 4 axes? i have not finished the cnc cutter yet and i have no way to try for this i ask.

I have problem with this post processor in simple 3axis milling. It is not mill as it need to mill it.
There is photo how it need to be milled. There is SolidCam simulation.
http://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/x/xenon25/Others/Capture3.jpg

And there is foto how Mach3 is milling in real.
http://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/x/xenon25/Others/Capture1.jpg

What is wrong?

I've come across a problem that I haven't solved.
I was machining a pocket with an island using multiple step downs.
The g-code appeared to generate the correct tool path, until near the end of the pass, when the tool moves from one end to the other cutting diagonally across the island without retracting.
I'm new to Solidcam and CNC but have coding experience, am I missing some setting or is there a bug in the postprocessor?

In the following code the directions are inverted. M3 is CW and M4 is CCW.

@start_tool
if tool_direction eq CW then
mcode = 4
else ; CCW
mcode = 3
endif

{nb, 'S'spin:integer_def_f, ' M'mcode}
{nb, 'M8'}

endp

First of all. Thanks for sharing this :)

I have modeled a part in solidworks and I have access to a CNC machine controled by Mach3 software. See this video for what I'm trying to do.
If I understand correctly. To use this postprocessor. I need to install it as instructed in the readme file, choose the Mach3 machine in solidcam and then export the Gcode.

Is there a way to simulate the code outside of solidcam, using the exported Gcode files, for verification before taking them to the machine?

Does the postprocessor support face and milling operations from solidcam? (those kind of operations are the ones I'm using)

What is the difference between using the Mach3_4X and Mach3_4Y machines?

Thanks in advance for any help! :)

imachining same tool diferrent operation feed chanhes but cant see spindle speed changes so over lot of operations and same tool no speed changes just feed, is that postproccessor problem or is how imachining works? If i generate per operation all ok, just dont want spend time to make one file....

The spindle start code is M4 when assigning CW tools to an operation and M3 when assigning CCW tools, while expecting M3 for CW tools and M4 for CCW tools. Haven't figured out where the problem is yet.

Could you please explain use_solidcam_feeds variable? I'm getting correct feeds for 4th axis when it's set to NO. Sometimes if I set it to YES, the 4th axis gets very high feed rate and I couldn't find the cause of this.

Hi..happy new year..!! Can you tell me please if you have post processor for 4axis machine x..??

First of all great work!
I'm using the "rotary maching 4 axis" option, unfortunately the generated G-code doesn't include the specified tool feed rates.