Machining Times

[mmphoenix]

The machining times that is thrown out by mcam during the back plot are not even close to what is going on in the real world. Is there a way to make this more accurate and is there a way for mcam to account for the rapid moves in the calculation of the machining time? I'm using the time in some cost estimating on jobs and I'm finding that this is not an accurate tool. I would like to utilize this tool to keep from having to purchase an additional estimating software. If mcam can't do this then what are you finding that most people are using for the job estimations?

[cadcam]

Look at what the Machine Def says for your rapids on your machine.

[Thee Dragracer1951]

I just looked in my machine def and all of my feeds and rapids are greyed out. red letters tells me they are set from machine general parameters.

Where the heck do I find that??

[Ray H.]

try setting the cutter compensation to computer for all operations. I've been told that when you backplot this way the times are realistic. If you have wear or control on they are not accurate.

[New Job]

From the MD dialog, select general machine params from toolbar. In the dialog that pops up you can set you machine dynamics.

 

HTH

[Thee Dragracer1951]

Ahhhh....Thank you Sir

[MLS]

The Acc/Dec at the machine affects the runtime considerably as well. Generally we consider the backplot time to be 2/3rds of the actual runtime. It certainly isn't perfect, but I don't know of any possible way to account for Acc/Dec machine settings...Especially when you are dealing with multiple types and brands of machines.