WCS

[mikechvz]

i would just like to understand what the WCS really is. i have never used it so i don't know what benefit it could be for me. any sort of explanations or opinions would be appreciated.

[Todd Tracey from Fastech]

Check with your dealer for the Mastercam Views/Planes/WCS tutorial. CNC did a good job with this training tool.

[André Lapointe@In-House Soluti]

The WCS define the coordinate system tou are currently working with. This means that the coordinates you see in the gcode refers to the origin of your wcs, it's your zero part or the point from which every movement refers to.

[Guest]

Mike,

 

Basically the WCS allow you to bring your zero to where you want it on the part, not the part to the origin.

 

This allows easy manipulation of the part with out needing to have copied on different levels being able to program in one position without worrying about messing up operations already complete becuase you "moved" the model.

 

It just simply put makes you life easier, especially if you are working with solids or 3D wireframe

[MLS]

The biggest advantage is on parts with multiple setups...multiple programs.

 

Define a WCS for each setup and the part stays put instead copying and moving the part around to origin for each program.

 

Yeah, tons of advantages that go along with having ONE part in your file instead of many.

 

Another advantage is if you get models from customers out in space, you never have to move them. Create the WCS and get to cutting. Then rev changes etc. become much easier to deal with.

[doyleg]

It also allows you to verify all of your ops at one time. You can tell if you are breaking thru in areas your supposed to, and areas where your not supposed to. I haven't machined thru something that I wasn't supposed to since I started using the wcs. It also makes your part file smaller because your not having to copy your main geometry to dif levels.

[mikechvz]

so for 1 part that needs to be machined from different sides i can set the part to 2 or 3 different WCS for example and have 2 or 3 different operation folders all from just that one solid on that one level? or do all 3 operations need their own level?

[Justin Beebe at Folsom Tool]

Mike,

 

Go to the FTP site and download the WCS tutorial zip file. It's in the unspecified folder. Read through it and do the tutorials and you will have a good understanding of WCS and how it works. There are many advantages. Once you use WCS you'll never go back.

 

 

Justin

[Colin Gilchrist]

Mike,

 

You are on the right track. Think of WCS as orienting your Spindle to the part. So you start with a block in the Top wcs. That is how it is sitting in your machine. With, call it "side A" in top view. You cut a pocket. Now (at the machine) you are going to take the block and rotate it toward the solid jaw so that the Front face "side B" is facing up towards the spindle.

 

To machine the front face of the part in Mastercam (side , you would change your WCS, Cplane, and Tplane to "Front".

 

Now when you go into any system graphics view (Top, Front, Right, Iso, ect), Side B will be facing up towards the spindle in your Iso graphics view.

 

In effect you have rotated the geometry in Mastercam, without actually moving it. You have just rotated the World Coordinate System (WCS) around your part to a new orientation. Now just create a new Toolpath group in the same operations list and create a new program.

 

You could use WCS to machine as many setups as you need to actually make the part. I'll program and entire part with 3 or more setups, using WCS, and never have to rotate the geometry at all.

 

HTH,

[Matt Berube at Ferron Mold]

WCS is excellent for toolpaths as everybody says.

 

Don't forget that it can be just as helpful during some design or creation activities.

 

For example, you could use the WCS to orient the part and make some changes on a face with a compound angle...

 

And yes, you could have 1 solid in a file and have as many WCS as you like to machine multiple setups on that single part.

[Henk]

Go to cadcam's FTP, and download:

unspecified_uploads/WCS_TUTORIAL_hardmill.zip

[jeff]

quote:

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Go to cadcam's FTP, and download:

unspecified_uploads/WCS_TUTORIAL_hardmill.zip

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There are two files there, which one is better?

[Storkman]

Hardmill's is for version 9. But it does explain it well. At least as well as can be expected from that bonehead.

[Rob B]

So in your opinion which file should we use or reference the most if we are using X2.

[mikechvz]

thanks, i am using v9.1

[Thad]

quote:

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So in your opinion which file should we use or reference the most if we are using X2.

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They're both for V9. They won't be very useful if you're using X. If you used the WCS in V9 in the past and you're familiar with the concepts, you should be able to figure it out in X. Once you do it once or twice, it should be smooth sailing.

 

If you've NEVER used WCS and now you're attempting to in X or X2, I'd say the tutorials will be of little, if any help. What needs to happen is bonehead (Copyright Storkman) needs to make a new one for X.

 

Thad

[Todd Tracey from Fastech]

If you are using X2 ask your dealer for the X2 Views/Planes/WCS tutorial by CNC

[cadcam]

mikechvz if you are using V9 then start with this link as it has sample files to walk you thru a few examples and a 28 page PDF about WCS.

 

Download here WCS

[Randy Morton @ Clem Industrial]

I would tend to disagree that the v9 tutorial that Hardmill created would not help you in X or X2. I never had more then about 1 month in 9 before X came out and I used that tutorial to learn from.

 

There is a few things that could use to be updated, or simpler ways maybe to do it, but the tutorial is great and gives you a basic understanding of what WCS and how it works.

 

I have not read the actual Mastercam View/WCS book and I am sure it is great, but get the tutorial and read that thru first and see if it makes sense or not. I still had lots of questions after I did it, and occasionally still do...but it gives a good base.

 

I also learned the other day from my reseller that instead of making the 'crosshairs' (or half a crosshair, anyways) you can just click on PLANES and go PLANES BY GEOMETRY and select a circle (so long as the circle is flat) and it will create the WCS for you that way....just a shortened version of the tutorial way. =]

[Hardmill]

quote:

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If you've NEVER used WCS and now you're attempting to in X or X2, I'd say the tutorials will be of little, if any help. What needs to happen is bonehead (Copyright Storkman) needs to make a new one for X. [Wink]

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When would you like it done thad ??

 

 

PEACE

[Thad]

quote:

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When would you like it done thad ??

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No rush. Any time in the next 10 or 15 minutes would be fine.

 

Thad

[mikechvz]

i really appreciate all the helpful replies

[Nils N]

Colin, your explanation on the WCS was great. reading that along with the tutorials should help anyone get started, good job.

[Guest John Paris @ Services 4 Automati]

quote:

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When would you like it done thad ??

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You know any one of those "Saturday" Fridays that you get would be fine.

 

Thanks

[Hardmill]

quote:

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You know any one of those "Saturday" Fridays that you get would be fine.

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That would be next "SAT" Friday then. Afta a night at

the Dodger/Rockies Game

 

 

PEACE