questions about macros

[Bob W.]

I have heard a lot about macros but I am not quite sure exactly what they are or what they do. What application would typically require a macro?

 

Thanks,

Bob

[William Grizwald]

The most common is probing.

 

--

Bill

[kunfuzed]

The can also be used to creat custom cycles that the machine may not have. Like a hole interpolation macro, so that operators out on the floor can quickly add a hole to their program without writing it out long hand.

[Guest]

A macro can be created to do almost any repetitive task. Macros are used on families of parts where they are all similar except for minor changes.

 

Probing as mentioned.

 

I've seen macros to do 3D contour milling.

 

When it comes to macros the sky is really the limit. Many peopl do not realize quite how powerful and adaptable they are.

 

Think up a task and you can likely write a macro to accomplish it.

[crazy^millman]

As mentioned probing, and other things like repeative processes. I have made them for thread milling, 3d milling, drilling 1000's of holes with a couple lines of code. I just got finished working on one TO probe my Z axis workoffset then probe my C axis offset then rotate to correct postion double check and then set a limit of on the devation for the probe before going on with the program.

 

[ 12-21-2006, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: Crazy^Millman ]

[Hardmill]

Google "Custom Macro B" theres tons of info on the net.

Macros are pretty much only limited by your imagination.

 

 

PEACE

[Greg VN]

I have used macros a lot before I go master cam.

I have several programs that I still use. One for resurfacing the bed on my cnc. I just have to put in the length and width of the area that I want resurfaced and set the length compensation of the tool.

I have used macros to profile different radius moldings by just putting the radius and degrees of sweep. There is almost no limit to what can be done with macros. We are one of the few companys that cut out handrails on a 5 axis cnc. The program that is used to create the toolpaths is not much more that a lot of macros.

It could also help to reduce the size of a program with a lot of repetitive toolpaths.

It would be a good tool to be able to use for any programer.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Very powerful tool. What I do the most of with them is DO/WHILE loops. The kick butt on Sub Programs. Sure at the end of the day you get the same result, but with MACRO's I change a variable number and I can make 1 or 999,999. I have a post set up this way so that I just put number of parts in X, Y and/or B, the spacing/angle between them and done.

 

Repetitive tasks are a biggie too. You can set up G65's to accomplish any number of tasks, then use Custom Drill Cycles and Parameters to define your operation.

 

Good Stuff Maynard!!!!

[Thad]

You can also record/run macros inside of MC. Maybe that's what you meant?

 

Thad

[monty]

Can somebody suggest a simple macro or chook to browse files in mastercamX as used to have a standard feature in MCAM until ver9.

[Guest]

There is an AI utility that is available.

Available here

 

It might not be exactly what you are looking for but after installing there are several options for viewing files without opening them.

 

If you are talking about the "old" auto browse function that used to be available

 

If you go file open and click the left most option box and click thumbnails you'll see all the files

[monty]

That is all right until you have a small library, When you have files in thousands and also from previous versions it becomes bit difficult to trust windows explorer as it is trying to show those files using RAM or graphics memory only,and some time it crashes computer, On the other side in mastercam browse only one or two files are open and donot use same RAM and it does not slow down the computer.