Lathe milling, c axis

[Oppiz]

here I sit with 8 years of MC under my belt, and I never learned how to use MC for C axis milling with my lathe. I've type it in by hand.

I never got a post to output what I need in these operations nor have I learn the methods in MC on creating this type of toolpath.

What do I need to get start in my learning process? Anyone have some good samples for me look at? Any help would appreciated...

[kenfromlodi]

Take a look in the sample programs in your MC lathe folder. Its pretty easy once you get started with it.

[Camdude®]

Opz,

If you use the C-axis toolpaths listed they will already have the C-planes set correctly for you.

if you are using mill paths then you will need to set the c-planes ahead of time. The tutorials that come with the software should help.

 

Ken,

what's it really like to be "stuck in Lodi Again"

[kenfromlodi]

Phil,

 

its no so bad a place to be stuck.

now if I could make a decent wage so I didnt have to drive 50 miles to work it would be perfect.

[Oppiz]

quote:

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Take a look in the sample programs in your MC lathe folder

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My lathe sample folder is empty, how can I get these?

[kenfromlodi]

I was just looking and I had to go back to MC9 to find the folder.

Not sure what happened to them in the MCX-MCX2 install.

Do you have MC9? If so look in there.

Maybe someone on here know what happened to the sample files.

[crazy^millman]

Or if you have X2MR2 you can go to the web site and download the sample file and get them from there.

 

HTH

[Chris Rizzo]

Also read the beginning of your post. Alot of info there. It will also tell you the limitations and how to program for your g107 and g112 canned cycles.

[Oppiz]

I'm programming Hardinge t42 with a Fanuc 18T. The post I regularly use doesn't support milling but I've been play with Mplmaster.I'm not have a lot of success but with my lack of knowledge on toolpath creation in MC my troubleshooting skills on the post are limited.

BTW I'm using X2

[Mike S @ S4A]

Several open issues from the posts above:

1)Sample files - These are not automatically installed, but can be added from the mcam CDs any time (if they weren't installed originally or accidentally deleted)

2)C-axis tool planes - There's mention reading the top of your post. Excellent advice. Start in GENERIC FANUC 4X MT_LATHE.PST The information there if used in concert with some additional sources should give you a pretty good idea of what to do (It outlines the valid planes for C-Axis face and cross work, and how to use the misc integer 4 to activate cylindrical or polar interpolation should your control support it. There's also mention of the c-hook "cview" or look at the cview utility (accesed from the toolpaths drop down,mill toolpaths flyout when a mill turn mach def is loaded) to have Mastercam set you in the correct plane. Beware though of cutting past centerline. We have a file we use in our Advanced Lathe Curriculum to illustrate and solve the problem

[g-codeguy]

You feel embarrassed? We've had MasterCam for longer than that, but no live tooling posts. I get around it by using mill to output the dimensions. I then use 'scale' in the editor to double the X-axis values, change Y to C, and cut-and-paste.

 

I know this is not what you are asking, but might be a way for you to use MasterCam to do the work while getting your lathe post processor set up correctly.

 

Speaking of embarrassment, I've been shown maybe 3 times over the years how to draw a 3D part. I know it is very simple, yet years later when I do need to make that 3D drawing, I don't remember how. Now that's embarrassing.