ToolHolder for MasterCam X: Milling

[Andy SwE]

Hi all MC-Experts,

 

To finally my Tool-Interface:

In MasterCam it's possibly to set a outline graphic for the tool.

As a layer or a mcx-file. So far so good.

But to complet my Job, I must set the graphic for the Holder too.

My question:

How can I define (per SDK of course) a toolholder - graphic for milling-Tools together with the "usually" cutter-graphic ?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Andy

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

Andy,

 

"Mill Toolholder"...

 

Toolholders used in HST-style toolpaths?

-or-

all "other" Mill toolpaths?

 

There is a difference.

[Craig-B]

Not stealing the thread,

But I would like to see it in all the others tool paths not just HST, my self because currently you need to create a custom tool with the holder attached for all the other toolpaths.

[Andy SwE]

Hi Craig,

 

Your entry is ok.

I mean the same.

 

 

Hi Roger,

 

Why for HST only ?

As I know, it works already.

But I must submit the complet-tool for each toolpaths.

Please tell me the way ...

 

Andy

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

I got the same request from a client last week...

 

it may be possible by updating holder's shape in toolsHOLDER.MCX..

I have not tried yet...

 

I can change the holder shape in verify mode by editing holder.mcx.

but I cannot get the timing of toolchange...

[Andy SwE]

Dear MasterShake,

 

Fine to have you here in this thread.

 

Can I replace this "holder.mcx" on the fly ?

As you know, each tool has a different holder.

If yes, what is a good way in the situation, that my chook should generate the tool graphically, but a big part is current loaded.

 

Andy

[Andy SwE]

Hello ,

 

Have tested with the holder.mcx.

Forget it, because it's used for ALL tools per session. SO it's ok only for one tool and all other looks like ugly.

 

I am a software developer not a mastercam user, therefore my "stupid" question:

How can I show my tools in a mastercam view context ?

Is there possibly to access/add display-list (openGL) ?

 

Dear community, please help me to finally my toolinterface, I work too long on it.

 

 

Andy

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

hi

I could not get the display-list id of specific entity,

but I think you can draw something in back buffer like MCVerify.dll/Backplot.dll does

(you have to do animate your own tool simulation..)

[Andy SwE]

Hi MasterShake,

 

What you write sounds very interesting and I would like to make my own tool simulation.

Can you explain me what happens with "back buffer" ?

Or have you a example about the solution with MCVerify/Backplot ?

 

Thanks

 

Andy

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

hello Andy

do you know how to read nci data from mastercam database?

and are you good at opengl graphics programming?

[Andy SwE]

Hi MasterShake,

 

Yes, I am very familiar with OpenGl.

My own realtime machine simulator is implemented as a opengl application. (With texture, compiled display-list, vertex-arrays etc...)

In concern of nci-data:

Our software simulate the finished nc-code. (With Subroutines or repeats lines)

This meaning, a lot of nc-parsers, as I know.

The simulation of nci-data is not useful in my point of view. The user will not see postproc-errors. For later I looking for a way, to start the pp-run in silent mode respective in background.

 

First, I must find a way to show my tesselated tool-graphic in the right size-relation of the mastercam part.

If you can help me and I think you can, I would be very happy.

 

Andy

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

Hi Andy,

I emailed you.

teapot chook

 

Good luck!!

 

some of my chooks

(sorry, It's written in japanese..)

http://www.ai-sols.co.jp/product/stlviewer.htm