Cplane and Tplane with new Origin

[Pat-TGM]

We move from Mcam9 to X2 now and we have problem with the origin.

 

We tried to search in this forum but we not sure or not clear to us. So we bring up again, someboby please give advise or link to correct issue.

 

When We create new Cplane and Tplane, Mcam is always create New Origin relate to new coordinate view. We want always default at X0 Y0 Z0.

 

There is a button "create new origin", with the help menu : if we select this button Mcam will create new Origin, but if we DONOT select this button Mcam leave the origin at X0 Y0 Z0. This option seem doesn't correctly.

 

Any advise appreciated

 

Thanks

[Pat-TGM]

We are sorry The button is "Set new origin" not "create new origin"

 

Thanks

[MLS]

I believe this is only an origin for your c-plane. It makes things simpler in that you can construct geometry relative to a feature instead of having no control over it.

 

Any toolpaths should still be relative to your WCS origin, not the c-plane origin...unless your WCS is based off that c-plane.

[Smit]

That gives me problems too. I'd like to set the default to uncheck the create new origin box, but I don't know if that's possible.

 

Leaving it checked inserts a coordinate shift into the program, which my machinists really don't like.

[MLS]

After playing awhile...I see now...boy that is irritating.

 

I have only done 3 and 5 axis parts in X and the only scenario I use T-planes is on 4 axis parts.

 

Ideally...I think it would be a good idea create planes relative to the active WCS and organize them in a subfolder under that WCS. I don't really understand what scenario it would be necessary to create a T-plane offset, but that certainly is the default. Now you have to go into the WCS view manager to change them BACK to zero. There must be another way.

 

Does anyone use this feature, and what for?

[Cuda84]

When I creat 5 axis fixed toolplanes I pick the WCS to set that as my active origin. That is the whole point of the set new origin button. If it is unchecked the origin could be anywhere. The origin usually ends up being somewhere relative to the geometry you picked to set your plane.

 

When creating Toolplane, first I pick my geometry, then togel to get Z correct, then I pick the litle pointer on the left of the form and pick my WCS origin, then I name my toolplane and accept. Never have a problem.

 

PS: You would not need to do this if you where making a new construction plane hench the switch.

 

[ 10-26-2006, 12:54 PM: Message edited by: Cuda84 ]

[Pat-TGM]

We do alot of work required 3 + 2 Axis (5-axis index Machine), A part has alot compound angel holes, We positon GEO relate to center of rotation. So we use WCS alway = Top, Origin always = X0 Y0 Z0, and control compound angle holes by Cplane and Tplane normal to line or arc ... relate to pivor point.

 

It work fine with V9 and previous Version. With X2 after we pick up new Cplane and Tplane, we have to reset all Cplane and Tplane to Origin X0 Y0 Z0 before we make toolpath. If we donnot reset to X0,Y0,Z0 we get wrong coordinate X Y and Z relate to pivor point.

 

The option "set new origin" should give my choice pick new origin or not. But it seem doens't work right ?

 

Is It a Bug ?

 

Thanks

[Cuda84]

Not a bug. If you are going to use the new plane for NC you have to set your origin. This can be done at the same time your making the new plane, so it should not take you any longer. If it has been a problem I would set the origin every time you make a plane wether you use it for NC or not.

Pionter lower left corner of the creat plane form. Pick pointer pick origin done, it's that easy.

[MLS]

Who actually uses this feature though and for what? What scenario would you want to shift a tool mid program?

 

I use tool-planes all the time, but I have never shifted them from the WCS origin.

 

I think the question is why doesn't this feature DEFAULT to zero or not active instead of the other way around?

[Greg Williams]

I am with you MLS, The whole process is much harder than is needs to be. There should be an option to use only the WCS origin.

 

In my opinion the whole idea of creating a new origin is a big step backwards

[Glenn Bouman]

It is a bug #cnc00020003

 

The only way to have it work is to select a point that is already drawn at 0,0,0

[Greg Williams]

Glenn,

 

Thanks for the reply Which version is that bug listed for?

 

I think that the whole Tool plane setup procedure stinks. Why do we need to select an origin when all I want is a tool plane? Sure if I want a new WCS then I need an origin!

[Qmp]

Thanks Glenn, and thanks everyone with yours

opinions

 

We hope it will fix in near future

 

Thanks

[TonyNanni@BNB]

we use construction and tool plane with separate origins for each machining operation for these reasons.

 

Our customer supplies us with a solid model with the origin at their engine c/l coordinate.

 

if we translate and rotate the model to each of our machining operations, usually 3-4 ops, and the customer changes the model then we have to remember each move to replace the new model at every machine op.

 

we reserve level 254 and create a point for the origin of each machine operation. We have a named construction plane for each machine op and if you set the origin of a named construction plane to a point it is associated to that point. If the tool maker makes a mistake and the part is not position where the program intended it to be you just translate this point and regenerate the program and you are back in business. This is another good reason for using named cplanes.

 

The third reason for using named cplanes with origins is if you use verify you can save STL after each machine op and use it as stock input for the next machine op. This is a great tool to insure a roughing op cleans up at the end.

 

Named views are tricky and if you do a lot of 4axis or 3+2 5axis index work you have to be very careful to insure you use the same work coordinate for all machine ops for a single machine program.

 

The bad news is if you do full 4 or 5 axis work everything above doesn't apply and you must translate and rotate the part model and fixture to the c/l of machine rotary table.

[MLS]

Thanks for the response Glenn.

 

I kinda like the idea for a C-plane though. Makes the numbers when creating geometry all nice and pretty.