I had an offer from the seller to come over and give me some pointers on how create and edit programs with the ProtoTrak Plus control. I took him up on the offer, and it was well worth the $20 for gas and a great lunch at Mexicali Fresh Mex Grill.
It seems the control is similar to a Fanuc in that error messages don't tell you much. That's where the similarities end. Each block of code defines one to two parts of a tool path. In the case of this example running around the perimeter of a block of aluminum, there are 5 blocks of code that mill 4 sides (one twice) and 4 corner radii.
While we were working together, it was clear we were both learning a few new tricks. Sometimes the code entered doesn't "take", so it comes up with errors. I can see why this would mean a dry run (tools away from the workpiece) is a mandatory exercise.
http://youtu.be/BUt8x1IkmMg
It was nice to see chips being made, even if the test was nothing more than....a test. When I get a worthwhile project to make, I'll be better prepared to use the machine's capabilities.
Later on tonight or (more likely) tomorrow, I'm going to try programming a pocket inside the piece, then perhaps a pattern of holes to prove out those features of the control.
BTW, can someone show me how to embed videos into a posting like I see so many other people do?
It seems the control is similar to a Fanuc in that error messages don't tell you much. That's where the similarities end. Each block of code defines one to two parts of a tool path. In the case of this example running around the perimeter of a block of aluminum, there are 5 blocks of code that mill 4 sides (one twice) and 4 corner radii.
While we were working together, it was clear we were both learning a few new tricks. Sometimes the code entered doesn't "take", so it comes up with errors. I can see why this would mean a dry run (tools away from the workpiece) is a mandatory exercise.
http://youtu.be/BUt8x1IkmMg
It was nice to see chips being made, even if the test was nothing more than....a test. When I get a worthwhile project to make, I'll be better prepared to use the machine's capabilities.
Later on tonight or (more likely) tomorrow, I'm going to try programming a pocket inside the piece, then perhaps a pattern of holes to prove out those features of the control.
BTW, can someone show me how to embed videos into a posting like I see so many other people do?