changing z depths w/work offsets

[Michael Reynolds]

Hi all. Spose I create a block that I'm gonna machine on a horazontal with a b axis. I want to machine a pocket in both the front and side of it. I know how to spit out the G55's, but when I do a toolpath on these pockets, the "Z's" are not starting out a zero, like I want. I know I can copy the part to a different level and then xform translate the part to z0, but is that really the best way?

I also posted this on the instructor forum.

Thanks in advance!

Mike R.

[cadcam]

Try this the top is one WCS and the bottom is another.

now when you program the first one it will see the top is the top of "Z".

Now change WCS to the bottm one now the "Z" is the other end of the block.

So when you post it it will see the two diffrent "Z" dethps when it put the "B" rotation in.

[Michael Reynolds]

Hi Jay! I tried that in 9, but 8 doesn't have the wcs option. Is there a way to do it in 8?

Thanks fer gitten back to me!

Mike R.

[Trevor Bailey]

Micheal,

In V8 & V9, you can use the T/C Plane button to establish the correct machining planes. I do not know if you have tried this, but once there, everything is pretty easy to figure out. Just double check your "programmed" depths while in the parameters section for the applied operation.

[cadcam]

Soory mike but i am talking about 8.1.1

I am trying to figure the best way to tell you about plains in 8.

I call them WCS because the Datum points change from the same model.

I wish you werent so far away i could just talk you thru the thought.

[Michael Reynolds]

Got it! I wasn't selecting the tool plane origin!

Duh!!!!!!

Thanks Trevor (and everyone else)!!

Mike R.

Lifelong mcam learner

[ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: Michael Reynolds ]

[Michael Reynolds]

Ok, so now another related question. When posting this program using mpfan.pst, I don't get an "a" or "b" rotation like I should. I get a message that tells me the rotation angle will be wrong. One should be 0 and the other should be 90 deg.

Thanks in advance!!

Mike R. (embarassed again)

[Michael Reynolds]

Nevermind, had to change a post setting under "rotary axis" to horizontal.

Embarassed again,

Mike R>

[cadcam]

Now are you saveing the plains so when you bring it up it will automatcly rotate the part for you to the new plain.

Just thought i would thorw more on the table.

Are you useing the (ALT O )

for tool and constution plain?

[Michael Reynolds]

Whadaya mean Jay? When I hit alt 0, I go to the operation manager.??

Mike R.

[cadcam]

Do you save the new plains so you can call them up.

And what i meant was pick on TPLAIN then hit ALT O .

[lovell110]

Hey Mike,

How can you be fresh to teach when your up late chatting on the forum?

[Michael Reynolds]

Ok, so that's cool! Am I correct in assuming that that does the same thing as selecting the tool plane origin in the t/c plane? (without having to go thru that)?

Thanks Jay!

(it would take at least 4 semesters of mastercam classes to teach students all the cool nuggets!!)

Thanks again,

Mike R.

[cadcam]

And now when you save this,when you pick on the save plain being the bottom the part auto rotates to the postion so you can see it in the right veiw from here.

But yes it would take time to explain this to a class and get them to understand were every thing is in space.

[Michael Reynolds]

Got it. Thanks yet again, Jay!! You da man!!

Mike R.

[Michael Reynolds]

Lovell0 (what's your name, anyway?)

It's only 10:30 or so here. Besides, this is what I do for a hobby (when it's too late for canoeing). When I learn somthing new, like every night, I go into my class with a new sense of excitement about what mcam can do!

Mike R.

[cadcam]

Well mike,

I can say that you love playing with this stuff as much as i do.

I know allot about the software but not every thing.

And i do learn things from this board, this also makes it fun for me to.

Have a great night.

May be some day we will talk on the phone again till then keep on typing.