Subprograms

[Jon @ NOWHERE]

Not quite sure how to ask about this without giving what we are doing as an example to make it clear so here goes.

 

When we make a program for our Makino A-55e for our OEM bike parts, we do it using incremental subprograms. The subprograms are stored in a folder that pertains to the part we are running, while the main program is separate, it controls changing the tools, spindle speeds and location then calls up the subprogram to run the part. Well today the programmer was creating a new size and was adjusting his subprograms. He decided to make a change in mastercam and repost that one subprogram, which caused a crash because he forgot to delete the reference return g-code.

 

Now I know we can probably set up our posts so that when we are creating subprograms it will not put things like the tool calls, lengths, ref return codes, etc. But the way it is now he has all his paths in one file and then has to go through and post them out individually and then go through and edit out all the crap not needed.

 

I guess what I am asking is there a simple way of handling subprograms and their creation in mastercam? Is he going about the right way he is doing it now or is there an easier way so that he can contain the main and the subprograms in a single mastercam file and then post it out correctly?

 

Sorry for the long read and I hope you guys can understand the point I am trying to convey.

 

Thanks

Jon

[Joe788]

quote:

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But the way it is now he has all his paths in one file and then has to go through and post them out individually and then go through and edit out all the crap not needed.

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YIKES! Transform toolpath will make very nice main/sub programs with the MPMaster post. The only problem is it doesn't assign certain sub program numbers to certain operations, so if you mix stuff around, or add operations, you have to do some hand editing, or re-post the entire program again.

[jhjr]

Yes you can create subprograms in mastercam. If you are copying a toolpath or rotating it, mirroring it etc, translate toolpath can do the subs in Inc or abs in the single mastercam file. You can also sub out depth cuts or multi passes also in a toolpath. Everything should be able to be done in one part file. You can change offsets also in your toolpaths or translated toolpaths so you get G55 G56 etc. If different parts are being done in one setup you can create different offsets with your wcs view manager. Research the help files in mc for the view manager or training may be in order. The whole view manager is kinda tricky till you get used to it. HTH

[Bryan Johnson]

Yes. A custom post can be made so that when you post all operations together, subs are automaticly created and numbered for each toolchange + a main program.

This is not uncommon when using the fanuc/makino controls where main memory space is very limited.

[MACHINEMASTERG]

MPSUBREP.PST .......enough said ..you can find it here on this site

[Steve Hattori]

+2 on MPSUBREP. We just got it updated to work with X4, and it makes subs very easy. We can tell it what program number to assign to the subs, AND! it writes all sequential ops with the same tool to a single sub, instead of a sub for every op...

[Chiang Chin Hock]

Hi, I've heard a lot of benefit about MPSUBREP.PST

but was unable to locate it in this site. Could someone advise me where is the link for this post?

Thank you and have a nice day

[jhjr]

link

[Dan@home]

If I remember right the MPSUBREP .PST doesn't work with 4th axis. Works killer with 3 axis, really clean and simple.

[Chiang Chin Hock]

Jim,

 

Thank you for the link.

Wonder is there a post that support multi z cut with a L (numbers of cuts).

 

example :

 

M98 P1000 L10

 

which mean sub call program o1000 10 times. Some user use this to control the depth of cut in the subprogram (instead of having to output the "M98 P1000" 10 time in the nc program)