Just stumbled across this group.

I have a PNC3000 unit that works.  I have fired it up and run some
basic stuff using the ACAD driver.

I am playing around with some 3d stuff and postprocessing, but trying
to understand the CAMM3 format of NC files.  It's not G-code and some
have said it may be a variant of HPGL.

Anyone have any input on this?

thanks

JW

----- Original Message -----

From: cyberzl1

To: CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 7:45 AM

Subject: [CAMM-3] CAMM3 file format

Just stumbled across this group.

I have a PNC3000 unit that works. I have fired it up and run some
basic stuff using the ACAD driver.

I am playing around with some 3d stuff and postprocessing, but trying
to understand the CAMM3 format of NC files. It's not G-code and some
have said it may be a variant of HPGL.

Anyone have any input on this?

thanks

JW

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.7/619 - Release Date: 1/7/2007

The software is available in our files section here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
CAMM-3/files/

The PNC-3000 uses the CAMM-GL1 language. This is specially written for Roland
products, and over the years has been updated with more functions e.g. for use
with 4th
axis or automatic tool changers. e.g. the MDX-650 uses the CAMM-GL3 language.
And I
think the MDX-40 uses the CAMM-GL2 language.

Dan :-)

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "cyberzl1" <cyberzl1@...> wrote:
>
> Just stumbled across this group.
>
> I have a PNC3000 unit that works.  I have fired it up and run some
> basic stuff using the ACAD driver.
>
> I am playing around with some 3d stuff and postprocessing, but trying
> to understand the CAMM3 format of NC files.  It's not G-code and some
> have said it may be a variant of HPGL.
>
> Anyone have any input on this?
>
> thanks
>
> JW
>

The software is available in our files section here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
CAMM-3/files/

The PNC-3000 uses the CAMM-GL1 language. This is specially written for Roland
products, and over the years has been updated with more functions e.g. for use with 4th
axis or automatic tool changers. e.g. the MDX-650 uses the CAMM-GL3 language. And I
think the MDX-40 uses the CAMM-GL2 language.

Dan :-)

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "cyberzl1" <cyberzl1@...> wrote:
>
> Just stumbled across this group.
>
> I have a PNC3000 unit that works. I have fired it up and run some
> basic stuff using the ACAD driver.
>
> I am playing around with some 3d stuff and postprocessing, but trying
> to understand the CAMM3 format of NC files. It's not G-code and some
> have said it may be a variant of HPGL.
>
> Anyone have any input on this?
>
> thanks
>
> JW
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

hi,

my old camm3 pnc2500 still working, but the collet and spindle was
lost during a house moving. can any one has a suggestion?
Some of you even mentioned about ED16 and ER16. What do I need to buy
and where to buy?
I have the original manual and camm3 GL specification if anyone need
it.

Thanks,

Charlie.

Hi Charlie,

I hope your parts turn up in a box somewhere.

The replacement parts can be pretty expensive.

I toyed with the idea of removing the spindle and having a local
machine shop put an ER thread on the end of the unit so I can use ER
collets.  I stumbled when it was going to cost $250.00 for the work,
plus another $100 for the collets.

There is a supplier in China or Japan that lists all the parts and
part numbers.  IIRC, one stock CAMM-3 collet was about $50.00 plus
shipping.

Hope this is of any help.

Dave


--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "charlie_camm3" <charlesho@...> wrote:
>
> hi,
>
> my old camm3 pnc2500 still working, but the collet and spindle was
> lost during a house moving. can any one has a suggestion?
> Some of you even mentioned about ED16 and ER16. What do I need to buy
> and where to buy?
> I have the original manual and camm3 GL specification if anyone need
> it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Charlie.
>

Hiya,

I had some problems with my spindle too. First of all, I cracked the collet when
I was
tightening it. I looked everywhere for spares, and even looked at buying a whole
new
spindle. But, there were actually non available anywhere. So I got some collet
steel and me
and my tech teacher at school made a replacement....eventually. In the end we
got it down
to ±0.05mm, which is good enough. Also, the bearings sounded like they were on
the way
out, so we pressed out the spindled and I swapped them out with some
replacements.

Anyway... I know that's not much help to you, but if you have any questions
about what's
inside the spindle, I'll try my best to help. (Bearing in mind mine's a
PNC-3000, not a
PNC-2500, so they might not be exact) The spindle and collet i've got is one
that you have
to use two spanners and twsit in opposite directions to tighten. It's totally
different from
the big gold nut on the PNC-3100 collet.


Dan :-)

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Charlie,
>
> I hope your parts turn up in a box somewhere.
>
> The replacement parts can be pretty expensive.
>
> I toyed with the idea of removing the spindle and having a local
> machine shop put an ER thread on the end of the unit so I can use ER
> collets.  I stumbled when it was going to cost $250.00 for the work,
> plus another $100 for the collets.
>
> There is a supplier in China or Japan that lists all the parts and
> part numbers.  IIRC, one stock CAMM-3 collet was about $50.00 plus
> shipping.
>
> Hope this is of any help.
>
> Dave
>
>
> --- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "charlie_camm3" <charlesho@> wrote:
> >
> > hi,
> >
> > my old camm3 pnc2500 still working, but the collet and spindle was
> > lost during a house moving. can any one has a suggestion?
> > Some of you even mentioned about ED16 and ER16. What do I need to buy
> > and where to buy?
> > I have the original manual and camm3 GL specification if anyone need
> > it.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Charlie.
> >
>

Hi,I have been using The Camm-3 for 3d modelmaking [I am a professional
modelmakler] since 1990 using
Toolchips software very successfully but I need a set of
Collets for my recent machine [ex Denmark College machine] does anyone
know of any for sale. the pnc2500 machine used the same set known as
part No ZC1 i Believe.
If anyone needs any info these machines I probably may be able to help.


Kind Regards

Graham French

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, cyberzl1 <cyberzl1@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks.
>
>   I have copies of the software(Modela, etc).  But what I would
really like is a synopsis of the codes for CAMM-GL1.
>
>   Does anyone have a copy of the programming manual in PDF(or similar)?

There is a user manual for a different product that has a summary of
all the CAMM-GL I commands. (It took a while to figure out that its an
i not a 1 or l.) There is also a list of Device Control Instructions
(Escape commands) that should be approximately right. 90% are the same
as a DXY-1100 plotter. So they should be closer for a modeling machine.

<http://www.cs.uml.edu/~fredm/courses/91.548-spr03/files/egx-300users.pdf>

A few definitions might by useful:

Essentially, DXY-GL plus RD-GL I (Roland Digital Group's graphic
language) is equivalent to HPGL (Hewlett-Packard graphic language) and
to CAMM-GL I. This is a pen plotter command language and is not to be
confused with HPGL/2, which is a raster plotter (read printer) command
language.

Unfortunately HPGL was never really standardized, unlike HPGL/2, so
there can be differences.

If you can find a command reference manual for a Roland *pen* plotter,
"DXY-" followed by a model number. They are essentially equivalent.

What the plotter manuals call "DXY-GL" commands are equivalent to
CAMM-GL I mode 1 instructions, and what they call RD-GL I is
equivalent to CAMM-GL I mode 2 instructions.

I am at a large research center and hospital in Riyadh. One section of
the hospital closed down and some of their equipment was stored in the
basement.

So one day I am wandering around in a store room and I found a
pnc-3000 manual lying on the floor. I started searching...

I found the machine, complete with all attachments and tools except
for the Command reference manual, as well as a matching plotter, copy
of Master CAM Mill with dongle and all manuals, and a graphics tablet.

So what if it is Win 3.1, I'm old too.

Dan Carroll

I have recently taken a job and have some very odd hours.  I hate to
leave the list hanging if I'm not around and someone new wants to join.

Anyone interested ?

Dave

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "david876474" <danielbriggs@...> wrote:
>
> Hiya,
>
> I had some problems with my spindle too. First of all, I cracked the
collet when I was
> tightening it. I looked everywhere for spares, and even looked at
buying a whole new
> spindle. But, there were actually non available anywhere.

I thought we had the URL for the Japan site. they have all the part
numbers, not sure if they have them in stock though.


If you are serious about up-grading yoru spindle, I would recomend you
considder taking it out and to a machine shop and have them put an ER
collet into the unit.   Or, make a whole new spindle with an ER collet
in it.

The reasoning is that there is pleanty of metal to use for the collet,
it would not weaken the machine.

The ER collets are not expensive, and you can open them up to over 3/8
inch, so tooling becomes MUCH easier and MUCH cheaper to find.

I don't think it would cost more than about $250 to have it done.
Compare that to a new collet for $85 for one size.   3 collets and you
spent more on collets and have less tooling options.

ER collets are about $12 each, so they are no biggie.  But, you get
both 3/8 and 1/4 tooling shanks available to you.

If the market was larger, I'd considder having mine done and then
having my local machine shop offer a fixed price.

> Also, the bearings sounded like they were on
> the way out, so we pressed out the spindled
> and I swapped them out with some replacements.

Do you have any idea of the size or quality of the bearings ?  If I
have a new collet put in my unit, I would probably replace the
bearings as well.

Dave

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "cadcamcreations" <cadcamcreations@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi,I have been using The Camm-3 for 3d modelmaking [I am a professional
> modelmakler] since 1990 using
> Toolchips software very successfully but I need a set of
> Collets for my recent machine [ex Denmark College machine] does anyone
> know of any for sale. the pnc2500 machine used the same set known as
> part No ZC1 i Believe.
> If anyone needs any info these machines I probably may be able to help.
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Graham French


Hi Graham, all,

There is a spreadsheet in the files section that lists a URL and all
the part numbers.

Before you order any parts, can you let us know what the costs are ?
if there is a minimum ordering price ?   If you get a discount ??  I
have only a 6mm collet and would like to see if getting another collet
would be better than having the spindle re-made.

Dave

This page has links to descriptions of HPGL commands. They explain in
detail the commands in the link I gave before.

<http://www.cs.uml.edu/~fredm/courses/91.548-spr04/mtg8.shtml>

Dan Carroll

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "rsdanielrs" <Edward_Carroll@...>
wrote:
>
> --- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, cyberzl1 <cyberzl1@> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> >   I have copies of the software(Modela, etc).  But what I would
> really like is a synopsis of the codes for CAMM-GL1.
> >
> >   Does anyone have a copy of the programming manual in PDF(or
similar)?
>
> There is a user manual for a different product that has a summary of
> all the CAMM-GL I commands. (It took a while to figure out that its
an
> i not a 1 or l.) There is also a list of Device Control Instructions
> (Escape commands) that should be approximately right. 90% are the
same
> as a DXY-1100 plotter. So they should be closer for a modeling
machine.
>
> <http://www.cs.uml.edu/~fredm/courses/91.548-spr03/files/egx-
300users.pdf>
>
> A few definitions might by useful:
>
> Essentially, DXY-GL plus RD-GL I (Roland Digital Group's graphic
> language) is equivalent to HPGL (Hewlett-Packard graphic language)
and
> to CAMM-GL I. This is a pen plotter command language and is not to
be
> confused with HPGL/2, which is a raster plotter (read printer)
command
> language.
>
> Unfortunately HPGL was never really standardized, unlike HPGL/2, so
> there can be differences.
>
> If you can find a command reference manual for a Roland *pen*
plotter,
> "DXY-" followed by a model number. They are essentially equivalent.
>
> What the plotter manuals call "DXY-GL" commands are equivalent to
> CAMM-GL I mode 1 instructions, and what they call RD-GL I is
> equivalent to CAMM-GL I mode 2 instructions.
>
> I am at a large research center and hospital in Riyadh. One section
of
> the hospital closed down and some of their equipment was stored in
the
> basement.
>
> So one day I am wandering around in a store room and I found a
> pnc-3000 manual lying on the floor. I started searching...
>
> I found the machine, complete with all attachments and tools except
> for the Command reference manual, as well as a matching plotter,
copy
> of Master CAM Mill with dongle and all manuals, and a graphics
tablet.
>
> So what if it is Win 3.1, I'm old too.
>
> Dan Carroll
>
Do you want some software to trial on this machine? I could upload it
to you? It runs on windows and machines out 3D STL files or 2D DXF
files or your own drawings in the software?
It will run for three days but sometimes just keeps on working
I use it every day.

Graham

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "cadcamcreations" <cadcamcreations@...>
wrote:

> Do you want some software to trial on this machine? I could upload it
> to you? It runs on windows and machines out 3D STL files or 2D DXF
> files or your own drawings in the software?
> It will run for three days but sometimes just keeps on working
> I use it every day.
>
> Graham
>

A gracious thanks for the offer.

At the moment I am just trying to get everything running:
   Manual moves ok.
   Serial line works.
   Simple moves via serial aren't quite what I expect.

I believe it is user error and have a bit of RTFM to do first.

I am not running Windows but eComStation, a decendent of OS/2. In the
way that Vista is a decendent of NT (and OS/2 by the way).

It can run all the Win 3.1 stuff in addition to native programs and
Linux ports. So I am playing with the 3.1 programs I have first. With
more difficulty it also runs much of the 32 bit Win stuff.

Why? It is consistent. I know it. It has no viruses.

That doesn't mean it is theoretically virus proof. Just not a target
big enough to bother shooting at. There are advantages to being a weed
in a monoculture when viruses are about.

If I get to the point where I need more sophisticated software I will
surely take you up on the offer.

Thanks again,

Dan Carroll

Hi All

Removed the original tool holder collet chuck and install the ER16 to
a shaft (to fit the 2 bearings). Now using inexpensive high speed
steel end mills and drill bits from 0.5mm to 10mm. Total cost
S$100(approx US$65) for the retrofitting work. Another S$220 for the
ER16 kit from Taiwan. Doing prototyping work on Copper and Aluminum
substrates. Manual operation but would like to cnc some work to ease
and save time.  Used autocad 14 to convert and import but would not
work in Modela.

I can share and post the conversion details to ER16 if there are
owners who need these info.

Would appreciate some suggestions on the software though.  My works
entails 3D cutting on Cu and Al.

Thanks!

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "pcmacsng" <macpc@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All
>
> Removed the original tool holder collet chuck and install the ER16 to
> a shaft (to fit the 2 bearings). Now using inexpensive high speed
> steel end mills and drill bits from 0.5mm to 10mm. Total cost
> S$100(approx US$65) for the retrofitting work. Another S$220 for the
> ER16 kit from Taiwan. Doing prototyping work on Copper and Aluminum
> substrates. Manual operation but would like to cnc some work to ease
> and save time.  Used autocad 14 to convert and import but would not
> work in Modela.
>
> I can share and post the conversion details to ER16 if there are
> owners who need these info.
>
> Would appreciate some suggestions on the software though.  My works
> entails 3D cutting on Cu and Al.
>
> Thanks!
>I would like the conversion info please if you want 3d/2.5d cam software I can
e-mail it
to you, regards Graham

I will post the mod once I get the photos taken. It has been quite a
while since I mod it.

>
> I can share and post the conversion details to ER16 if there are
> owners who need these info.
>
> Would appreciate some suggestions on the software though.  My works
> entails 3D cutting on Cu and Al.
>
> Thanks!
>


I am very interested in the mod. I am at that point of thinking to
sell the unit and replace it with a CNC'd Mini-Mill (Sieg X2)

Your conversion at that low price might be the difference between me
keeping and selling it.

The software is the other concern.

I had talked to the designer of SheetCAM.  it is a post processor that
will take your DXF or whatever, files, then allow you to all tool
offsets and such.

He said that if there were some interest and the software was not too
complex, he would write a software conversion.

Anyone know the commands the machine uses ?

Dave

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "pcmacsng" <macpc@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All
>
> Removed the original tool holder collet chuck and install the ER16
to
> a shaft (to fit the 2 bearings). Now using inexpensive high speed
> steel end mills and drill bits from 0.5mm to 10mm. Total cost
> S$100(approx US$65) for the retrofitting work. Another S$220 for
the
> ER16 kit from Taiwan. Doing prototyping work on Copper and Aluminum
> substrates. Manual operation but would like to cnc some work to
ease
> and save time.  Used autocad 14 to convert and import but would not
> work in Modela.
>
> I can share and post the conversion details to ER16 if there are
> owners who need these info.
>
> Would appreciate some suggestions on the software though.  My works
> entails 3D cutting on Cu and Al.
>
> Thanks!
>
Hi,

Very attactive price. Can you post the conversion details.

Thanks,

Charlie.

I need to set the DIP switches on a Roland PNC-3000 for a serial port.

Is anyone able to upload the pages from the Roland manual to this group for the
DIP
switch settings?

Thanks in advance.

Jack

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "txmagnia" <jdreid@...> wrote:
>
> I need to set the DIP switches on a Roland PNC-3000 for a serial port.
>
> Is anyone able to upload the pages from the Roland manual to this
group for the DIP
> switch settings?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jack
>

I don't have a scanner, but I can type.

My PNC-3000 is set for 9600 baud, even parity, 7 bits, one stop bit
and hardware handshaking. I have not yet tested it with a file larger
than the buffer.

Set ON on my machine.
       |
       |  Function when switch is on
SW1-1 X  Disable AUTOSCALE. P1 & P2 can only change after a ^SC
SW1-2 X  SLOW MODE. Minimum feed rates .4mm/sec (else 1mm/sec)
SW1-3    Default Z velocity 22mm/sec (else 2mm/sec)
SW1-4    Non buffer mode (for debugging)
SW1-5 X  Not connected/used
SW1-6 X  Serial port communications (else parallel port)
SW1-7    \
SW1-8     \  Sets character font. All off is ASCII. Other Languages
SW1-9     /  are available as well as a "MARK" font with fiduciary
SW1-10   /   marks.

SW2-1    DSR ENABLE (I should turn this on)
SW2-2    DCD ENABLE
SW2-3    2 stop bits (else 1 stop bit)
SW2-4    8 data bits (else 7 data bits)
SW2-5 X  Even parity (else Odd parity)
SW2-6 X  Enable parity
SW2-7 X  \
SW2-8 X   \  Baud rate. See table below.
SW2-9 X   /
SW2-10   /

Baud   7  8  9  10   X = On
50
75              X
110          X
134.5        X  X
200       X
300       X     X
600       X  X
1200      X  X  X
1800   X
2000   X        X
2400   X     X
3600   X     X  X
4800   X  X
7200   X  X     X
9600   X  X  X

The baud rate does not have to be fast. The machine isn't.

The cable diagram from the PNC-3000 to a 9-pin PC serial port:

   Computer            PNC-3000
Signal   Pin        Pin    Signal
DCD      1-+--------20     DTR
CTS      8-+
RXD      2----------2      TXD
TXD      3----------3      RXD
DTR      4--------+-5      CTS
                   +-8      DCD
SG       5----------7      SG (signal ground)
DSR      6----------4      RTS
RTS      7----------6      DSR
Ring     9



A few notes:

Get the Windows 2000/XP driver from Roland, D030360J.EXE, and read the
readme file.

If your machine is like mine there are a few discrepancies in the
firmware. The "!0" and "!1" codes do NOT control the motor. But any
cutting command will turn on the motor and H(ome) or ^IN(itialize)
will turn it off. You may just end up turning it off manually.

The @ command sets the Z1 and Z2 points. These are relative to Z0. If
Z1 is set below -15000 absolute you get an error. This is correct.
However if you set Z2 above 0 absolute it is supposed to be accepted
and upward moves just stay at 0 until moves go below that point. This
is not what the machine does. It gives an error and stops. This is
usually only a problem when you are working near the top of the work
space.

The old Windows 3.1 driver, besides having a bad case of the jaggies,
always had "@0,15000" at the beginning of the file. Killed it dead.

With the Windows driver you can use the Roland programs Modela,
Vmodela etc.

You can also use CAD programs directly by setting tool values in the
driver. It acts like a pen plotter. You have a 1.6 mm (1.57 here)
offset in Y, just like a plotter. Tool diameter is only used to
determine spacing for fills (pockets) but the *center* of the tool
will follow the outline. If you want to drill a pattern of holes you
place points.

I haven't had a chance to use the Modela player but I believe it
adjusts for tool diameters. It handles DXF files as well as Modela output.

There was a question asked here a while back about machining PC
boards. I intend to do this too.

I use Proteus, a British schematic capture, simulation and PC layout
program. It has a flood fill command to make ground planes. If you set
the spacing small enough it will flow between IC pins. If you then set
"outline" for the type of ground, you get the tool path for machining
around each trace.

Unfortunately it is not free and I believe the flood fill does not
come with the lower (cheaper) levels of the program. Plotted nice though.

Dan Carroll

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "rsdanielrs" <Edward_Carroll@...> wrote:
>
> --- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "txmagnia" <jdreid@> wrote:
> >
> > I need to set the DIP switches on a Roland PNC-3000 for a serial port.
> >
> > Is anyone able to upload the pages from the Roland manual to this
> group for the DIP
> > switch settings?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Jack
> >

Ok let's try this again. They strip out all multiple spaces and they
don't show it in preview mode! Even on this reply in edit I see all
the spaces. Weird. So fill with dots.


  I don't have a scanner, but I can type.

My PNC-3000 is set for 9600 baud, even parity, 7 bits, one stop bit
and hardware handshaking. I have not yet tested it with a file
largerthan the buffer.

.Set ON on my machine.
  . . . |
  . . . | Function when switch is on
SW1-1. X Disable AUTOSCALE. P1 & P2 can only change after a ^SC
SW1-2. X SLOW MODE. Minimum feed rates .4mm/sec (else 1mm/sec)
SW1-3. . Default Z velocity 22mm/sec (else 2mm/sec)
SW1-4. . Non buffer mode (for debugging)
SW1-5. X Not connected/used
SW1-6. X Serial port communications (else parallel port)
SW1-7. . \
SW1-8. . .\ Sets character font. All off is ASCII. Other Languages
SW1-9. . ./ are available as well as a "MARK" font with fiduciary
SW1-10 . /. marks.

SW2-1. . DSR ENABLE (I should turn this on)
SW2-2. . DCD ENABLE
SW2-3. . 2 stop bits (else 1 stop bit)
SW2-4. . 8 data bits (else 7 data bits)
SW2-5. X Even parity (else Odd parity)
SW2-6. X Enable parity
SW2-7. X .\
SW2-8. X . \ Baud rate. See table below.
SW2-9. X . /
SW2-10 X ./

Baud. .7 . 8 . 9 . 10. . X = On
50
75 . . . . . . . . X
110. . . . . . X
134.5. . . . . X . X
200. . . . X
300. . . . X . . . X
600. . . . X . X
1200 . . . X . X . X
1800 . X
2000 . X . . . . . X
2400 . X . . . X
3600 . X . . . X . X
4800 . X . X
7200 . X . X . . . X
9600 . X . X . X

The baud rate does not have to be fast. The machine isn't.

The cable diagram from the PNC-3000 to a 9-pin PC serial port:

  . Computer . . . . . . . .PNC-3000
Signal Pin . . . . Pin . . Signal
DCD . . 1-+--------20 . . .DTR
CTS . . 8-+
RXD . . 2----------2 . . . TXD
TXD . . 3----------3 . . . RXD
DTR . . 4--------+-5 . . . CTS
. . . . . . . .. +-8 . . . DCD
SG. . . 5----------7 . . . SG (signal ground)
DSR . . 6----------4 . . . RTS
RTS . . 7----------6 . . . DSR
Ring. . 9


A few notes:

Get the Windows 2000/XP driver from Roland, D030360J.EXE, and read the
readme file.

If your machine is like mine there are a few discrepancies in the
firmware. The "!0" and "!1" codes do NOT control the motor. But any
cutting command will turn on the motor and H(ome) or ^IN(itialize)
will turn it off. You may just end up turning it off manually.

The @ command sets the Z1 and Z2 points. These are relative to Z0. If
Z1 is set below -15000 absolute you get an error. This is correct.
However if you set Z2 above 0 absolute it is supposed to be accepted
and upward moves just stay at 0 until moves go below that point. This
is not what the machine does. It gives an error and stops. This is
usually only a problem when you are working near the top of the work
space.

The old Windows 3.1 driver, besides having a bad case of the jaggies,
always had "@0,15000" at the beginning of the file. Killed it dead.

With the Windows driver you can use the Roland programs Modela,
Vmodela etc.

You can also use CAD programs directly by setting tool values in the
driver. It acts like a pen plotter. You have a 1.6 mm (1.57 here)
offset in Y, just like a plotter. Tool diameter is only used to
determine spacing for fills (pockets) but the *center* of the tool
will follow the outline. If you want to drill a pattern of holes you
place points.

I haven't had a chance to use the Modela player but I believe it
adjusts for tool diameters. It handles DXF files as well as Modela output.

There was a question asked here a while back about machining PC
boards. I intend to do this too.

I use Proteus, a British schematic capture, simulation and PC layout
program. It has a flood fill command to make ground planes. If you set
the spacing small enough it will flow between IC pins. If you then set
"outline" for the type of ground, you get the tool path for machining
around each trace.

Unfortunately it is not free and I believe the flood fill does not
come with the lower (cheaper) levels of the program. Plotted nice though.

I hope that came through a bit clearer. Maybe it is just my browser?

Dan Carroll

Dan,

Thanks.

Exactly what I needed.

I am looking at VCarve for importing eps files and cutting on my
Roland PNC-3000. Have you found anything better for eps files?

Jack

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "txmagnia" <jdreid@...> wrote:
>
>
> Dan,
>
> Thanks.
>
> Exactly what I needed.
>
> I am looking at VCarve for importing eps files and cutting on my
> Roland PNC-3000. Have you found anything better for eps files?
>
> Jack
>

Hello Jack,

I haven't used VCarve, nor have I had a need to work with eps files.

One possibility is using GSview as a graphical front end to
Ghostscript. Then you can import EPS files, or extract from PDFs, and
can convert to DXF, HPGL or a long list of other options.

The programs are available for Windows, Linux and OS/2-eComStation.
Ghostscript is freeware and GSview is fully functional shareware. It
has a nag screen on startup, but that's all.

I use GSview to extract DXF files from PDF catalogs. I mean company
catalogs that don't have CAD files available but do have line drawings
of their products. Saves a quite a bit of time.

Dan Carroll

I have a PNC-3000 with most of the accessories and manuals. But never
had the sensor described in the manual.

What is this device?
Is it just an electrical contact?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "oreo_cruncher" <groups9a@...> wrote:
>
> I have a PNC-3000 with most of the accessories and manuals. But never
> had the sensor described in the manual.
>
> What is this device?
> Is it just an electrical contact?
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Steve
>


Hi Steve,

I deleted your duplicate post to avoid confusion.
Anyway, I wanted one of these sensors a while back, and it's hard to buy the
machines, let
alone any of the accessories. So I made one myself.

It plugs into the Z0 Sensor port on the side of the machine at the back, by the
other cable
connections (to the servos). It is a 4 pin rj-10 connector, which is commonly
used in
phone cables, from the phone to the handset (not from the phone to the wall -
they are
rj-12 I think.)

So I got one of these curly phone cables and stipped 1 end off. There are 4
pins, and 3 do
not have a purpose (that I can find!) Perhaps one is ground, and the other 2 are
for an
LED???

Anyway, the other pin, I think 2nd or 3rd along, when connected to the tip of
the
toolpiece, stops the machine moving down. So the Z0 sensor is a lump of brass
with an
insulated base (plastic)  that is of a known exact height. e.g. 40mm. The
workpiece is
clamped down, and the sensor placed ontop. Press Z0 on the control pannel and
move the
Z axis down. The machine will move alot slower. When it touches the Z0 sensor it
will stop.
Then remove the Z0 sensor and take off the known height of the sensor, e.g.
40mm, now
set the Z0 datum, and you're bang on the top surface! No more touching on!


Hope that helped!

Dan :-)

----- Original Message -----

From: oreo_cruncher

To: CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 10:32 AM

Subject: [CAMM-3] Contact sensor

I have a PNC-3000 with most of the accessories and manuals. But never
had the sensor described in the manual.

What is this device?
Is it just an electrical contact?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.1/764 - Release Date: 4/17/2007 4:43 AM

Hello All,

I'm new to the group - I excited to see a group dedicated to the
PNC-3000 machines!

I have had a CAMM3 PNC-3000 machine for about 8 years now but only
recently have I started to use it; I bought it used.  For the first
couple years I wrote my own code (hpgl via quick basic) to do the odd
modification to molded plastic parts. It wasn't until I bought a Picza
  3D scanner unit on ebay that I discovered the Roland software bundle
for these machines (and I had even spoken to a few Roland
representatives about the availability of support software and they
just implied that I would need third party software with translators
etc - very discouraging start indeed!!)

8 years ago getting info for this machine was like pulling teeth!!  I
have so many questions for this group, maybe somebody can enlighten me
to the general state of support for these machines?

Does anyone have or know of service manuals for these machines?

Does anyone know of a place that services these machines for
reasonable rates?

Are replacement parts truly available? From where?

What other software is available for easy use with these machines?

I have the PNC-3000 User manual and Command set manual - does everbody
have access to these?

So many questions........is there a FAQ for this group yet?

Any good software that supports machine tool paths as well as simple
drilling operations?  DrEngrave, although not bad for simple toolpath
operations, could sure use a drill function.

My metric collets have been modified for 1/8" and 1/4" tooling, this
has been very convenient.  Are new/additional collets easy to obtain?

I am very fond of my machine and want to keep it running well, and
depend on it,  for a few more years to come.

I see there are 29 members in this group - do we all have, or use, one
of these machines?

Thanks,

Randall