Lathe Second Operation in X2

[Jim c]

Hi, I just started using the X2 Basic Lathe module; using solidworks to create my models. It seems like the Lathe module expects me to use the mastercam origin and does not behave properly if not used. I thought I would be able to use the milling and lathe in the same “.mcx” file as the literature led me to believe, but it seems to get very complicated to do a 2nd op, (unless I translate the part with “FLIP” on a different level). I am beginning to think the best way to do lathe operations is in two separate files. Being somewhat of a novice at this, it very probably is something I am doing incorrectly. Could someone please point me in the right direction as to books, info, or whatever?

[Columbo™]

I have never done this but I believe if you add another machine group it should work. I have done this with lathe and it worked fine, as of yet I still have not done it with milling.

 

PS Welcome to the Forum

 

[Chris Rizzo]

you can use milling and lathe in the same file....your part just has to be oriented properly for the lathe op. lathe does not support wcs changes. I believe in an upcoming release lathe is going to support wcs, however mill/turn is perfectly do-able in the current release.

[ATG]

I do this all the time, but I have to translate a copy of the geometry to another level and then add a new machine group.

[Thee Dragracer1951]

Yea. Thats what I do as well.

I'm sure one of these smarter guys will come along and ask me why the heck I ain't doin so an so....

Cause you ain't splained it to me yet...

But aI still get parts made and out the door.

[Columbo™]

Hey there Jim,

 

 

 

Just go to “machine type”, select the machine and continue as usual.

 

[Jim c]

I tried the procedure described by Bob Hedrick, CNC Software Canada, which he posted 6-29-07 in response to the Topic “lathe programming & WCS”, take a look. It seems to work but it still acts “flaky” e.g. loses the stock boundary, and other things, which seem to be random. I then tried an older version X2SP1 and it looks like it might work. I called Mastercam tech support and they said Bob Hedrick was the person who should know because it is his project. I have e-mailed Bob but have not gotten a response back yet.

[Thee Dragracer1951]

I was actually being faciecious earlier.

I just copy the geo to another level and create a new machine group and set stock, and move along. I'd like to see this get addressed in the future. I've heard folks talking about stock flip (I think) but I;ve never given it a try.

[Columbo™]

quote:

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I've heard folks talking about stock flip

---

What is that? I never heard of it !

 

Please explain

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

It's when you buy a stock with the intention of turning around and selling it right away for a profit.

 

Either that or it's when you flip the stock / part over to cut the second end of the part. There's a toolpath for it under Lathe Misc Ops, just under Lathe Stock Transfer.

[ATG]

Ok guys I've tried both ways and it works fine for me. I used to move geo to a new level and create a new machine group. Then recreate the stock setup and I’m off. The only problem with this is when you verify a part you only get each machine group separate. Now I use the stock flip option which works fine and you get the entire part when you verify things.

 

No probs here....

[Thee Dragracer1951]

How cool is THAT?!?!

Took me about 20 seconds to do what was a couple of minuites. That is WAY cool!!!

 

It's the little things that excite me...

[Columbo™]

Cool!

 

I'll have to give it a try. Hope it works.