Lathe software recomendations

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

We have just purchased a Haas TL-4 lathe. I have programmed and worked on lathes in the past, but never programmed them in Mastercam before.

 

I have read here before about some of the MC Lathe shortcomings, and am just wondering if their are any 3rd party ad-ons or c-hooks that others would recommend? I am calling to get a quote for MC Lathe today, and I am just thinking that if their are any essential ad-ons, it will be best to try and get them included in the quote now, rather than wait till later down the road and try to get extra money spent.

 

Thanks in Advance!

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Programming for uo to multi spindle single turret lathe I would not mind reccommending Mastercam. Once you add multiple turrets, synching becomes a chore and is better handled in other software.

[GoetzInd]

Basic MC lathe should do you just fine. Mc's shortcomings really are in the multitasking arena.

 

Mike

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

Sweet, sounds like we are good to go then.

 

Thanks guys!

[Alvaro Gil - Cimquest-inc.com]

Lathe is actually an awesome product, fear not, it will make minced iron out of the TL....

[chris m]

quote:

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it will make minced iron out of the TL....

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Not that this is such a tall order, but I agree that the Lathe product is adequate for single-turret, single spindle applications and can be made to work fairly well on subspindle machines with one turret; we make a lot of money with it for sure.

 

C

[Chris Rizzo]

Unless they are offering a TL with quad turrets, pick-off spindle, and y-axis...

 

Regular mc lathe is a pretty good product. Just use a slant bed haas lathe machine def and post and it will work great for the tl.

[Goldorak]

i programm a single turret with 2 spindles and c-axis or a 4axis lathe (XYZB) pretty easily with mastercam

 

i only got to edit my G-code for some specific applications like part catcher and bar feeder

 

X4 seem to handle the lathe module a little better than the older versions on complex part with milling on main and sub spindle

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

Ok, so the Haas sales guy has the higher ups pretty sold on the Hass capabilities to program at the machine.

 

I don't exactly aspire to standing at a controller punching in code, so I wonder if some of you might have some advantages for buying the MC module over programming at the control.

 

This is of course besides the obvious one of offline programming.

[gcode]

quote:

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so I wonder if some of you might have some advantages for buying the MC module over programming at the control.

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because the machine is not making chips while

someone is standing at the control punching code.

 

because the control can't solve complex geomteric

problems

 

because lathe is cheap if you already own mill..

[3R!< W3NG3R]

Also, if you program it in MC, you can post it for ANY machine after. You also have a better place to store programs and make changes.

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

All great points, but:

quote:

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because the machine is not making chips while

someone is standing at the control punching code.

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This is the "obvious" one I already mentioned

 

quote:

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because the control can't solve complex geomteric problems

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I'm not sure about this one. The new Haas controls have that DXF import function. Now sure exactly how it works, but it may solve that issue.

 

quote:

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because lathe is cheap if you already own mill..

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At almost 1/2 the price of mill level 1, it's not THAT cheap!

 

quote:

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Also, if you program it in MC, you can post it for ANY machine after. You also have a better place to store programs and make changes.

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Irrelevant, as we will only have one lathe.

 

 

I am just trying to respond as I expect management would. Keep throwing them at me, cause I really want to be able to Justify the purchase of Lathe to the management.

[gms1]

If the first point didn't get them, then I'm afraid not much else will. If they don't have a problem with the fact the spindle won't be turning while someone is programming there are problems.

[X-L Engineering Corp]

If they don't get the Spindle down time then they won't spend the money on Lathe. But there is one more solid reason Verification and back plotting of the Gcode to insure the program is right and there are no CRASHES!!!

[X-L Engineering Corp]

gms1 beat me to it

[gcode]

Get the machine running

learn how to use it..

give it a couple of months

get temp lathe codes from your dealer

sold...

[Joseph]

Set up sheets

Job tracking

Changes after the job has run

Similar parts

Reference for the future

 

There's no reason you can't program both ways, but the complex stuff and things that need to be tracked should be done in MasterCam.

 

What would your customer want?

[chris m]

quote:

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Changes after the job has run

Similar parts

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If the uptime difference doesn't sell offline programming, which is asinine by the way, then these should.

 

We make a lot of parts that share tooling, some geometry, etc: just save the proven file with a new name, drop in some new geometry, rechain, and program is done. Proven speeds, feeds, DOC, stock allowances, etc are quickly transferred from one job to the next.

 

Part is changed: you grab the proven file, change the geometry, regen, and you're up and running again.

 

Editing code and cutting and pasting certainly has its place, but sucks and is not efficient for large changes, new parts, etc.

[FLHX95ci]

MC X4 will do a fine job on the TL I have used it quite a bit with a good Haas Lathe post (that is the key, getting your MC dealer to get you a good post for a HAAS lathe and it's specific G-Code)

 

It's unfortunate that your local HFO isn't getting the job done with the training. I spent 3 years doing Haas training for one of the larger HFO's in the country, and in 3 days of training (One TL Lathe Operator 1 day class and one 2-day Haas Turning center programming class) and you can pretty much cover the basics of "Real World" machining on a TL Lathe.

 

The capability of the TL is it is a 2 axis turning center without a turret. 80% of the parts you can do on that machine could be programmed on the machine. Turning centers have a series of nice canned cycles that can cover just about every Type I roughing part out there.

 

If doing Type II roughing (candlestick holder looking parts, or dumb-bell looking parts) then MC can be a real help.

 

And oh yea, don't let the TL fool you, I have set up a few that can out produce turning centers at 5x the cost. YOU CAN do live tooling with it (just need a air or electirc driven tool) and using gang tooling you can make parts faster than a turrett (no cycle time wasted when changing tools with gang tooling)

[chris m]

quote:

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I have set up a few that can out produce turning centers at 5x the cost

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Then whoever setup the turning centers should been fired on the spot

[FLHX95ci]

For secondary ops (drill / spot / chamfer etc) where a robot or automation was used we setup a TL with air chuck and a custom built gang tool plate.

 

The part only needed about 700 RPM, and with the we could spot / drill / tap the part quicker since we had no tool changes.

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

Looks like I am just gonna have to go the route of programming at the control for now. All these points you guys have given me, I will be sure to point out to management when they arise.

 

The good news: We are getting the 10 station tool turret with the TL-4 (phew!) and I also think I convinced management to spend the money saved on MC Lathe on a tool-setter/spindle probe package for our VF-6

[taperlength]

Good exercise, standing while programming.

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

Job #1: Build stool for programming at TL-1

[FLHX95ci]

Leigh - The proge is well worth it, ans so you know you can use full Renishaw Macros with it also, you are not just limited to Haas's macros. DO NOT GET THE MARPOSS probe package, spend the extra $500 for the Renishaw, the software on the Marposs still has allot of bugs in it.

 

TL-4, that thing is a BIG lathe (8" thru hole and I think 1500 ft lbs of torque, and other than a Okuma LOC-1 (Lathe-Oil Country) you are looking at something custom built for big parts.