V3 Build 6

October 14, 2009 · Filed Under MeshCAM Development 

I just uploaded the latest V3 build to http://www.grzsoftware.com/v2dl.php .  It contains a couple of bug fixes and some new features.

1) I fixed some bugs where the gcode what wrong if the program zero was not at the top of the stock.  This was introduced in the last update when adding the ability to save whole jobs.

2) Fixed bug where the unit were not converted to the proper units if the post processor units don’t match the geometry units.

3) Added a recent files option under the “File” menu

4) Added a spindle speed parameter to the “Edit Tool” dialog.  The mach 3 post processor has been updated to automatically turn the spindle on and set the right speed after the tool change.  If feedback is OK I will update more as needed.  As a result of this change, the tools file format has changed.  The old file will be converted but will not be backward compatible with any release before this one.

 

Items 1 and 2 above shocked me because I got no warning from anyone that they were a problem- I ended up finding them when machining a part that I needed.  I take this to mean that most people use the very straightforward approach of keeping the zero on top and not mixing units so the bugs would only appear for the few users doing something a little more nonstandard.  If you try this release I would like to ask you to try something different than you normally would- try moving the zero, max depth, stock, tools, units, retract height to something other than your standard values and let me know if anything strange happens.  This would really help me stabilize this branch of code.

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Comments

2 Responses to “V3 Build 6”

  1. Randy on October 14th, 2009 9:41 pm

    OK Robert, you asked for it. :)

    I always use top of material for z=0 to be able to coordinate with SheetCam and my own gcode. And it is the logical zero for two-sided machining. I’ve never used anything else.

    But load up a file for two-sided machining and put the origin about 1/3 way down the geometry. In my initial test, the top retract plane was at the top of the stock, and the bottom retract plane was way up in midair.

    Stabilize that. ;)

  2. Randy on October 14th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Nope, sorry, got the colors mixed up. Top clearance plane is OK, bottom is whacked. I’ll email you screenshots.