GearHeads Corner

Hello, I am looking for help with a problem. I have not used the gearotic program for some time. When I am ready to have the program written, I cannot check the send to Mach box. I have made sure Mach is open before opening Gearotic. I had this problem sporadically before but it would eventually work. To further the problem I do not know how to get the gprj to run in mach if it is not transferred by checking the box. I have used the dfx and lazy cam with autocad files many times, but I do not know where to look for the dfx created in gearotic as an alternate way to get there.  Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks ,
Scott

Scott;

  GearoticII no longer supports sending data directly to Mach3 as it did in earlier versions using GM and GT. For now, I suggest you download and install the latest version if you haven't already done so. Now the "gprj" is unique to Gearotic, it is the file extension used to store all project files in Gearotic and does not relate to Mach3 at all. As you mentioned, you can either use LazyCam to convert our DXF's for Mach3's use, or I suggest simply export the GCode directly from GearoticII and use it with Mach3. The default data folder is located here ( C:\Gearotic Motion\GearData ) however you may change that location using "Global Settings" in GearoticII. Hope this helps..


Cheers
Bob ;)

Hi Scott,
I often load files from storage into Mach 3.  As Bob said by default Gearotic will put the generated gCode files here    C:\Gearotic Motion\GearData
I start up Mach3 and click on Load gCode - from the dialogue box I navigate to the Gear Data file or wherever you store your generated gCode files.  I always click on the (All Files) in the selection box at the bottom because Mach3 can load more than one type of file such as .txt  or .tab depending on the generator.
Once you find your file click on it and Mach3 will load in and your good to go.

John

Thank you Bob and John for your help. I did download the new version and will see if I can get up to speed on it. Do you know if there is a tutorial that relates directly to the new format ? I cannot seem to get the code to generate after specifying a gear size. The program asks you to select for generation but when I click on the gear nothing happens.
Thanks again,
Scott

Hi Scott,
When you have the gear in the project window - click on CNC - then click on the gear name (Not the picture of the gear itself)  the gear will turn blue - in the lower panel click on the generate paths - the paths will show green on the project screen - finally click on POST CODE and the code will go the file (Probably Gear Data).

John

John:

  Thanks for pointing that out, I do appreciate it when I see a user helping another. I missed this thread
till now.

Scott:  Johns correct and his reply should get you going.

  The GCode output will be the first thing to change this season, soon it will become more
obvious and easier as to how to generate CNC code. Ill also add a "Send to Mach" button back in
and I may even add a Mach4 control panel..

Art

Thanks again John and thank you Art. I know this is all so elementary to you, but the features you talk about adding will be a great help to those like myself that really struggle with the computer end of things. I got spoiled with the ease of Mach 3 and how intuitive you made it. When I walk away from this hobby for several months and then come back it is like pulling teeth. I got as far as getting a gear generated and posted, but cannot seem to find it. When I do a search for the gear data file my PC tells me it cannot find it. I will have my son help me find it and write down the proper procedure to get there. Thanks again for your help.
Scott

Scott:

  Use the options button, in there youll see the folder listed for output, any output you do will go there.

( I added a folder to my desktop, set that option to that folder so I can instantly get my gears..)

Art