Horizontal Macining Center / Tombstoning

[PROG_MAN_DO]

This is a direct quote from the getting started guide (page 127). "You do not need to change the WCS when using a horizontal rather than a vertical machine; the axis orientations in the machine definition describe this for Mastercam."

 

I don't see this happening since the rotations are about different axes. Has anyone had occasion to try it?

[john316]

Russell,

In V9 the rotating is defined in the post processor. I believe the machine definition defines what machine you are using and what post you are using. The only reason you would need to change your WCS is if you are using a different part orientation on the machine or a diiferent zero location. On the surface it should work the same in X as it does in V9.

[gcode]

Everyday.

Draw in Top plane

Cut in Front plane

If you need angled planes, rotate the Front

plane about the Top plane Z axis

[PROG_MAN_DO]

Something has to rotate, I don't see how you can rotate about X and or Y simply by changing the post.

 

In the horizontal world, your toolpath is in the front plane, and the WCS is set to the top plane, and we are rotating about Y.

 

In the vertical world, toolpath and WCS are in the top plane and rotating about X.

 

In my mind going from the horizontal to the vertical, you would at the very least set the front plane to top view, and then rotate the WCS about Z 90 degrees. Am I crazy? have all these years been for naught?

[gcode]

quote:

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WCS is set to the top plane, and we are rotating about Y

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the machine is rotating about Y

Mastercam is rotating about the Z axis of the TOP WCS

Check out the sample files

[Tim Johnson]

quote:

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...(page 127). "You do not need to change the WCS when using a horizontal rather than a vertical machine; the axis orientations in the machine definition describe this for Mastercam."

---

quote:

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In the horizontal world, your toolpath is in the front plane, and the WCS is set to the top plane, and we are rotating about Y.

 

In the vertical world, toolpath and WCS are in the top plane and rotating about X.

---

Looks like you agree with page 127. Your WCS is set to the top plane in both worlds. It is best to rotate through your tool planes rather than through WCS. I rotate my horizontal about the Z axis though.

[PROG_MAN_DO]

ok..I created a simple little file, programmed for vertical, rotating about -X-, and posted it out with the generic 4 axis VMC post and all is well. I switched machines to the generic 4 axis HMC and posted it, and the code is all wrong. It's still trying to rotate about -Y- and output -C-axis code. Where is my error?..

[PROG_MAN_DO]

I am rotating with tool planes, my WCS is locked at A0 (vertical) or B0 (Horizontal), whichever the case may be..

[PROG_MAN_DO]

where'd everybody go

 

have I been abandoned

 

my simple file still no worky. Have you tried this simple exercise and made it work?

[Tim Johnson]

I don't have X (yet) but from what I've read you should be able to tell your machine definition file to rotate about your z axis and output "B". Try digging around the nook and crannies. If nothing else you might find something else you can use.

[Paul Decelles]

You cannot create toolpaths rotating about the X and then post them rotating about the Y. You will have to move the part (or the WCS) to rotate the part properly.

The post is reading the machine definition which is telling it that it is rotating about the (world) Z axis. The label being used is currently set in the post based upon the axis being rotated about as the rotary label is not currently available to us (it will be in the future).

The initial label settings are from the most common vertical settings (A axis about the X axis, B axis about the Y axis and C axis about the Z).

 

#Rotary Axis Label options

use_md_rot_label : no$ #Use rotary axis label from machine def? - Leave set to 'no' until available

srot_x "A" #Label applied to rotary axis movement - rotating about X axis - used when use_md_rot_label = no

srot_y "B" #Label applied to rotary axis movement - rotating about Y axis - used when use_md_rot_label = no

srot_z "C" #Label applied to rotary axis movement - rotating about Z axis - used when use_md_rot_label = no

 

Perhaps I should modify the logic to flip B and C if the machine is a horizontal machining center... I'll have to think on it a bit.

[PROG_MAN_DO]

Please refer to my first statement ad the beginning of this thread, and tell me..is the quote from the book incorrect and I haven't lost my mind?

 

[PROG_MAN_DO]

am I getting snubbed here or what

 

I will be training some of our shop personnel in the near future and I would just like to know I'm on the right track..

 

thanks in advance..

 

[Paul Decelles]

Unfortunately, this line is incorrect at this time. A lot of things did not make it into this version that were originally spec'd. I guess you can consider it a glimpse of things to come.

It is definately possible for the post to modify the output based upon the machine definition settings but it would require some work to make it happen. Currently we read the machine definition settings via parameter values. As we move forward with development, these values will be moved into pre-defined post variables and the software will do more to work with the information presented in the machine definition.