workofs, keyword?

[nickz]

Can't seem to find this in the Sept-97 post manual. This is a reserved word? I see it being used but not defined in the .pst file that I am currently working with (MPYASNAK.PST). Does anyone know if this word is connected to (mi1) in some way?

[Mark H]

I believe workofs is set in t/c plane. It allows you to use different wcs's - like G54, G55, G56, G57...

To get to this feature, create a toolpath, then go to the tc plane button on the first tab of the toolpath page. Then enable the Toolplane checkbox. At the bottom put in a value such as 1 to 6. 1 = G55 2 = G56 ...

The 1 to 6 is the workofs value.

[Mark H]

Oops...

As for the other part of your question, the mi1 tells the post which type of wcs to use. Set mi1 to 2, this will use the G54, G55, G56... If you set it to 0 or 1 it uses G92. I've never used the G92 and am not sure exactly how it works. By the way, this how it is set up in my MPMAZAK.pst, yours may be slightly different.

[This message has been edited by Mark H (edited 01-15-2001).]

[nickz]

Yes, that is correct. This is the case when I need a "G54.1P1" for example, my Fanuc controllers. The workofs is coming from the T/C Plane window, which sets my "P" value. The way the shop is using the YASNAC controller is a little different. All it requires is a G54P#550. I select mi1 = 4 thru 9 to output G54 thru G59.

It confused me at first, now I understand. I still can't find any information in the manual. I hope there is an updated manual available soon. Thank you Mark.

[Allan Brown]

In V7, a new method of WCS definition was added to Mastercam. Under the Tool Parameters tab in the each operation, the T/C Planes... button has a "Work offset" field. The "workofs" variable is related to this field.

A value of -1 relates to the default, or let's Mastercam automatically set the WCS for toolplane translations and rotations. This point is important, because the workofs method is much more integrated with the system on whole. 0 is also the default (e.g. G54). 1 is the first alternate (e.g. G55), 2 is the second, etc.

[Mark H]

It's obvious that each controllerpost handles the wcs (or any other function) somewhat differently. I guess that's why MasterCam includes so many posts with it's software.

[This message has been edited by Mark H (edited 01-15-2001).]

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Mark H

That's exactly why you get a large number of posts with Mastercam. Most do require some degree of modification due to the large number of machine tool builders that set up the controls according to their particular application.

Jmaes Meyette