Rolling Pin with writing on it

[jshorba3]

I drew up a rolling pin in aspire 2.25 in. in diameter and 12 inches long and put four lines of writing on it to v carve. Unwrapped the circumference was a little over 7 inches. I left roughly 1/2 inch top and bottom (which would be the seam) and when I carved it the first time it came out to where the writing overlapped and totaled about 8.5 inches. I tried different post processors and changing the orientation of the 4th axis as mounted to the machine bed. Nothing worked so I finally just estimated how oversize the letters were and shrank them down leaving a much larger gap at the seam of the wrap. This worked but I am very frustrated because my preview came out good on the first time. There must be a problem with the post processor but how do I know how to fix this? Thanks for your help, John

[Rando]

jshorba3

From how you've described it, it sounds like the value setting for steps-per-revolution or steps-per-degree might be wrong.
Are you able to jog the 4th axis 360 degrees so that reality and the controller agree what is 360 degrees?

If not, well, we'll think about something else. But that's where I'd start. If a jog of 360 or some known amount isn't right, then
check the value and call NWA for the right value. Sorry, I don't have the 4th axis and so don't know it. Usually it would be a multiple
of either 220 or 200 motor steps/rev divided by 360 degrees. So, if they're using 1/8 stepping microstepper drivers and a 220 step
motor, that would be 220 x 8 / 360 steps per degree, or 4.888888. A 200-step per revolution motor would be 4.444444. Give it as
many digits of precision as it will take. Also any reduction gearing would need to be included.

IIRC in the control panel software, you get to that part with Ctrl-G, and then the password of 787. Yeah, everyone has the same
password, and it can't be changed. It's like a boss-code everyone knows; a key to the executive washroom, if you will.

All conjecture; sounds like a frustrating thing. Stock is expensive! It's not like rolling pins just fall right out of the sky (thankfully!)

Regards,

Thom

[jshorba3]

Thanks so much Thom,
I have not tried that yet. That is a great place to start. I have drawn up several others and they are all off but show well in the preview. we are inundated with graduation this weekend but Monday I will see where your advice leads me. I appreciate your input.
John

[jshorba3]

Well, good news! I marked the chuck on the 4th axis and selected 360 and it turned almost 1.5 turns. I then did some basic updates to the controller and the LCD and tried it again and it fixed it! I'm glad that was all it was.John

[Rando]

AWESOME! Glad to hear things got fixed. Silly machines. When are they going to be self aware enough to say

"Dave, I know you told me go 360 degrees, but the material seems to have gone 540...shall I correct that for you? Also, the pod bay doors are open now...."

Very glad to hear it was something fixable

Regards,

Thom

[wilsond]

I just began using this forum. That is my excuse for sending this hint so long after your post. On the pendant, select "4th Axis Mode", choose the text box in the upper right-hand corner to see the numerical keypad, then enter 3 for Lathe B. Mark a test piece of material with a pencil mark to indicate the starting point, rotate it 360 degrees. If the pencil mark comes to the correct place (within about 1/10th of a degree), then the problem is solved. If the material does not rotate 360 degrees, use the pendant to enter 2 for Lathe A. Then test the rotation again. The "3" setting works for me, but I am a newbie.