control definitions

[KCollins]

I'm trying to learn a little more about control definitions...more pertaining to how they work on a horizontal mill. I've looked through the documentation but dont really see much in terms of explination of what each component does. The translator from Version 9 used X & Y axes on the table group but i see HMC X, Y, and Z...should these be used instead? Does anyone know where there may be more documentation on the control defs? Thanks for the help as always

[crazy^millman]

I would sugest you look at the exmaple used in the Mill 4axis HMC supplied with X. Then you could so a screen shoot print that and use that as a road map to building a CD to your liking.

 

HTH

[chip]

hope this helps....

 

quote:

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Ok (cracks knuckles), let me see if I can help...

 

First off, the individual stations are going to have to see the server as the same path (i.e.- the drive mapped to the same letter on each).

 

You cannot create the control definition and machine definition locally and then move them (without editing them once they are moved), which is what I am betting you have tried to do. The path to the post processor file is stored in the control definition, the path to the control definition file is stored in the machine definition and they are not going to update on their own.

 

So, let's fix the paths so they work for you, and then modify your default machine so it looks at the server.

 

Make sure your CD, MD and post files are all where you want them on the server (we don't want to have to do this twice).

 

If you currently have X open and an active machine group, either close and reopen X or go to the Machine Type dropdown, select Design and then do a File - New.

 

Modify your control definition file -

 

Now go back to the Machine Type drop down and select Control Definition... Click the Open a control definition file button and browse to the control definition file on your server.

 

Click on the Post Processors: button and then Add Files... Browse to where your post lives on the network and select it. Green check to close the dialog.

 

Select your post in the drop down window (it will have a plus icon next to it).

 

Click one of the control topics and then right click on the right side of the dialog. Select import - all pages. Select this control file and then the post with the path on your local hard drive (we are importing the valid settings into the new control def). Green check to import the settings.

 

Go to the text control topic. If the post text is not there, right click on the right side and import it from the post.

 

Save the file. The plus symbol next to the post name in the drop down changes to a green check mark.

 

Click the Post Processors button, select the original post (with the path on your local hard drive) and then click the Delete Files... button (You may also want to select any other posts if there are others from fooling around previously in the CD file). Leave the Default settings there. Green check to get out and then save the control file again. We're done here, Green check at the bottom of the dialog to exit.

 

Modify your machine definition file -

 

Select the Machine Type dropdown - Machine Definition Manager...

 

Load the machine definition file on the server.

 

Click the Browse For Folder button in the Control Definition Frame - Select the folder on the server where your control definition file now lives. Your control definition will automatically appear in the dropdown if it is the only one in the folder. You will need to select it if there are more than one.

 

Save the machine definition file.

 

We're done here, green check to exit.

 

Modify your default machine setting -

 

This is an optional step that will make the Machine Type - Product - Machine list dropdown show the contets of the folder on the server. This step can be repeated at each station (or the config file can be copied over).

 

Select Settings - Configuration. Click the Files control topic. In the File Usage frame, select Mill Machine Definition (or Lathe Machine Definition - or Router Machine Definition). Click the File select button (the one with the filing cabinet on it) and browse to your machine def file on the server.

 

Save your settings and exit. Now when you go to the Machine Type dropdown your machine will appear in the right flyout when you select that product type.

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