quick way to change geo, for part family programs

[surge]

i have many lathe parts that all have same features, i want to see if it is possible to set up an excel sheet to just enter a few dims, and regen toolpaths and post, rather than making new goemetry then rechaining,etc. any thoughts? am i asking too much?

[Mr. Wizzard]

I would just offset the contour, regen, done. Save as new part number.

[Craig-B]

I say cu

[Craig-B]

Oops my bad,

I would say write a custom macro, but it could be very time consuming. It would be nice if cam systems and parametric programming coexisted.

I normally do this for small part families 5-10 parts.

1 . Create each part on a layer.

2. Create toolpaths for first part.

3. Export toolpaths and name group as Part #1234 Family.

4. Then, do a new machine group with the same machine.

5. Import toolpath operations (as Part #1234 Family).

6. Set program number and file name .

7. Turn on second layer, and re-chain new geometry.

8. After you do every part then you can post 1 part or the hole family.

 

For large part families, I do the following,

1 . Create 1st part on a layer.

2. Create toolpaths for first part.

3. Post part program.

4. In the editor, create an custom macro for each dimension by adding a macro variable and save as master program.

5. Then create a logic program for the part numbers that will set the variable dimensions based on the first part.

 

This is just an example of one tool and the logic program for part numbers. Here I only did (Z axis), but it works for (X) as well.

Note: This program makes 4 parts with different (Z) lengths based off of the part programmed.

%

:8000(XXXX MAIN PROG.)

G20

G0G10L2P0X0.Z11.3512

G0G10L2P1X0.Z0.

(===============================)

(ENTER PART # ON MACRO VAR. #500)

(===============================)

G65P2525(GET PART # MACRO)

(===============================)

M38

M434

M01

 

N2G0G28U0.(TOOL - 2 OFFSET - 2)

G0T0299

M10(CHUCK CLAMP)

G50S#101

G96S#102M3

G0G54Z[11.9312+#116]M8

X3.

X.968

G1Z[11.8312+#116]F#103

Z[8.0337+#116]

X1.42

G0Z[11.9312+#116]

X.716

G1Z[11.8312+#116]

Z[10.5112+#116]

X.7974

Z[9.8789+#116]

G3X.8119Z[9.85+#116]R.0612

G1Z[8.0337+#116]

X1.188

G0Z[11.9312+#116]

X.4641

G1Z[11.8312+#116]

Z[11.1104+#116]

X.5581Z[11.0634+#116]

Z[10.5112+#116]

X.936

G0X3.M9

M81

G0G28U0.M5

G0T0288

M01

;

;

;

M30

%

 

%

:2525(PART FAMILY)

(GET PART #)

(===============================)

(PART A = 0.)

(PART B = 1.25)

(PART C = 2.5)

(PART D = 3.75)

(===============================)

IF[#500EQ1001.]GOTO1001

IF[#500EQ1002.]GOTO1002

IF[#500EQ1003.]GOTO1003

IF[#500EQ1004.]GOTO1004

GOTO3000

 

N1001(PART A)

#101=[1000*3] (MAX RPM)

#102=[100*6] (SFPM)

#103=[.001*12] (IPR)

#116=0.(LENGTH A)

M99

 

N1002(PART

#101=[1000*3] (MAX RPM)

#102=[100*6] (SFPM)

#103=[.001*12] (IPR)

#116=1.25(LENGTH A)

M99

 

N1003(PART C)

#101=[1000*3] (MAX RPM)

#102=[100*6] (SFPM)

#103=[.001*12] (IPR)

#116=2.5(LENGTH A)

M99

 

N1004(PART D)

#101=[1000*3] (MAX RPM)

#102=[100*6] (SFPM)

#103=[.001*12] (IPR)

#116=3.75(LENGTH A)

M99

 

N3000(ALARM)

#3000=10(NO PART # SET VAR#500)

M99

%

[within a thou]

In the toolpath manager export with geometry then import with geometry. You will be asked for a origin so if your feature is shifted type the value of the shift.