User-Defined Tool Path

[dannysdad]

I was reading the Nov. 2011 issue in Modern machine Shop and there was an article that NX CAM (from Siemens) called the Generic Motion Controller which enables programmers to use a version of jogging to set approach points and define specific machine moves by jogging in the virtual world.

 

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/a-virtual-jog-mode-for-cam

 

I was wondering; besides manually writing and editing G Code by the programmer, does Mastercam have an alterative to produce user-defined toolpath?

 

Thanks

[Chris In-House Solutions]

There is not really anything like what was described in that article but if you download X+ there is a option in it to create a manual toolpath. It prompts you for a tool diameter and then allows you to create your toolpath by a clicking the mouse on the screen. Your basically drawing a toolpath on your screen.

[dannysdad]

Please excuse my ignorance, what is X+??

 

Thanks

[Chris In-House Solutions]

Its a 3rd party add-on to Mastercam. It has a couple of easily customizable setup sheets and other little tools. Once you download it right click in the gray area of the screen and choose X+ and a toolbar will appear along with your other toolbars.

 

You can download it from the following website.

 

http://www.emastercam.com/board/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=217

[dannysdad]

Thanks again Chris...I appreciate it.

[Manuel0822]

Wow, Thanks Chris, I didn't try that tool before. Good to know it's there!

[Bruce Kanzelmeyer]

There's also the Toolpath Editor, that allows you to go in and manually add/delete or edit points of an existing toolpath. Right click on an existing operation and select the Toolpath Editor at the bottom. You can create wireframe and use it to select points to add to an existing toolpath.

[Mr. Wizzard]

I saw that, as well. NX has made a kick@ss multi-axis advancement that has been a long time coming. I don't know of any way to do this, other than painful points, lines, etc...

 

This manual jog toolpath for 5+ axis would be a huge bonus for mastercam to look into.

[dforsythe]

I Love this tool path for 5 axis finishing and face milling