VTL Machine definition help

[rdshear]

We have a retrofitted VTL at our shop that I am trying to create a machine definition for. The problem is that the machine does not have a lathe cnc control. Instead, it has a Heidenhain Mill control. The machine has 2 separate drive units for the main chuck. One is just the main drive with a 1 - 250 rpm range (60" chuck). The other is an anti-backlash "C" axis and is defined in the control as "C".

 

On the left side I have a square ram with a Cat-50 live spindle approximately 80 - 1000 rpm for milling with the "C" axis. There is a tool changer with 16 pockets for this live spindle. Tool pockets are numbered for tool calls as 21 - 36. This spindle can also be locked to turn. The travel of this square ram is about 50".

The axis definitions in the control for this ram are "U" (would normally be "X") and "V" for what would normally be "Z". This side cannot be programmed with anything but computer comp (no wear or control)

 

On the right side is a 5 position turret with about 16" travel. The axis definitions in the control for this side are "X" for what would normally be "X" and "Y" for what would normally be "Z". The pockets in the turret are numbered 1 - 5 for tool calls. Any comp option can be used on this side (computer, control, or wear).

 

The machine defines the "Z" axis as its' main rail which is moved manually prior to running a part.

 

The problem I have is getting a U and V defined in the machine definitions. All I see from the pull down is X, Y, And Z.

 

Is there any way to add different axis letters to the machine definition?

 

I figure to make this all work I will need two posts. One for the left side tooling with the "C" axis available. Another for the right side tooling without the "C" axis.

 

Any help would be appreciated. I'm open minded to any suggestion as I really want to get this going.

 

Rick

[crazy^millman]

Well I am going to chime in here might be wrong, but when I am wrong the right people alway seem to help out quicker than when no one chimes in. I would define the machine using the standard axis combinations like you think will not work then all of the axis output for the correct letter will come from the post. Now the trick is that U and V I am assuming are always going to be incremental so if that is the case you will need a custom post to handle that now if they are absolute then it will be just a matter of making the post output the correct letter which is a pretty straight forward post mod. I would use the Generic lathe post that has Y and C support and think you might get away with one post to do it all. You might have to use WCS to do it but not that big of a deal when you are doing the milling inside of lathe in Mastercam within X. If that does not work then you can try two machines inside of one Mastercam file that way you can see the complete machining of your part inside of one Mastercam file.

 

HTH

[rdshear]

Having the post change the axis letters was kinda the way I was leaning. The machine will run in either incremental or absolute moves for the U and V.

 

The axis change in the post should be fairly easy compared to the language change from G-Code to Heidenhain.

 

I'm think having two posts may be easier than trying to get one to do everything. Mainly because I don't know of a way to define which turret is being used in the post so I could define different axes letters for "Z" & "X".

 

Is there a way to do that?

[crazy^millman]

Well I am thinking using the lower turret part of the post and then configure it to the machine. I would be in contact with my dealer and the guys at CNC or even In-House I think they would like the challenge of helping you getting this going. From the looks of your web site they don't mind spending the money to do things the right way and to me it would be money well spent to get a good post.

[rdshear]

I sent an e-mail off to our dealer. Don't know how quickly they'll get back to me with the holiday. I know a lot of people take vacation around this time.

 

I've got my machine def working fairly well except for one thing. Even though I have a left and right turret, all the tools seem to approach from the left side of my screen in Mastercam. I tried to find a reference to this on the forums but couldn't find the answer. It seems CNC e-mailed a response to someone with a similar situation but it wasn't clarified in the posts on the forum what the solution was. Oh well, I'll mess with it some more tomorrow and maybe I'll get a response from our dealer. I know they're normally pretty good about prompt response.

 

Rick

[Mick]

There is no work around for having the tool on anything other than the LH side of the screen when doing VTL work.

 

I struck the same issue a while back. CNC Software replied to my email, saying it was something that will be addressed in the future.

 

We have an OM 60M VTL lathe with a C axis and pallet changer. We modifed the Generic Fanuc Lathe post to work with it. Obviously, you need a more specialised option for yours

[Hardmill]

quote:

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There is no work around for having the tool on anything other than the LH side of the screen when doing VTL work.

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No totally true Mick, Storkman stands in back of his monitor in these situations.

 

 

PEACE

[rdshear]

Mick, it may have been your post I saw that CNC emailed a reply to. As long as the numbers that post are correct, I can live with the graphics issues. I'm most likely going to start with the Generic Fanuc lathe post as well since it is a mill/turn post.

 

Poor Storkman never get's a break...

[Hardmill]

quote:

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I'm most likely going to start with the Generic Fanuc lathe post as well since it is a mill/turn post.

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You may want to try the MPLmaster post. Check here.

 

quote:

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Poor Storkman never get's a break...

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PEACE

[Mick]

Email me if you want, as I can help you out with some VTL stuff. Sure is interesting doing VTL work vs. standard lathe work, especially the size stuff we've been doing

 

LOL @ storkman. At least he gets the heat off the back of the monitor in cold weather...