Machining on Integrex sub-spindle

[Peccator]

Help,

I am trying to learn to machine on an Integrex 300Y sub-spindle. This paricular machining will be your basic machining on the face of the part- drilling, tapping and counterbore milling. I can do all of this with ease on the main spindle, just flip around to Cplane 5 and go to work. But what, pray tell, do I do with my Cplane on the sub? Flip it round so that the Z is coming out of the chuck or leave it alone?

And another thing. What does the Cplane look like when you mill on the sub spindle with the B axis in a vertical position?

The dayshift programmer and I are really struggling trying to learn this new machine. I am the night shift programmer and I only have you guys (and gals) to turn to for help.

If I don,t reply by 2 AM EST, I will reply after 4 PM EST.

 

Thanks,

[crazy^millman]

Well you came to the right place may be tommorrow before Andrew, Harryman, Jack, CMR, Chris to name a few that can help you they are great people who have used or use these machines. Hang in there and good luck with your challange.

 

Crazy Millman

 

[ 10-22-2003, 01:48 AM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

[McRae]

I will have to defer the sub spindle stuff to someone else - However, I can attest that your post processor is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle, if there is no subspindle functions there then you will not have a chance to be successful.

[Harryman]

We do not have a sub spindle here, but our post generally supports one. I say generally because no attempt has been made to optimize it. On further testing I see that it does not output the correct sub spindle connect M code.

 

I made up a simple test model that included a couple lines for setting the Cplane. Set X+ toward the small hole, and Y+ toward the origin. I had to trim the lines to a single right angle to get Next to toggle the coordinate icon properly. The correct Cplane ended up #18. I could not directly set Cplane 18 via number. I tried machining the contour with Cplane set to Side, and setting Right Spindle under Millturn parameter button to see if that would invert the operation, it did not. I don't know if that would be part of optimization or not.

 

I'll email the .mc9 if you respond to mine. I'm still too old doggish to have the FTP thing figured out, but maybe I'll give that a shot.

 

The G124, G125, or G128 coordinate rotation macro will handle the machine's end of the deal. It rotates the coordinate system to keep Z normal to the XY plane after B axis is set. When B=180. X positve will be toward the chip pan. Z+ will be toward the main spindle. The Y axis is the center of plane rotation and will be unchanged. Find out which macro you are using. If you do not have G128 request it from Mazak. G125 does not read wear offset values from Tool Data Page, G128 does.

 

On the G12x line, there will be an S value for Z2 shift. I don't know if there is any way for Mastercam to post a correct value into that S. I think that value will be dependant upon the setup. Please post an answer for that when you know it.

 

B axis = 90. = Top Cplane.

I asked Dave to eliminate the Cross Drilling method from my post and use G12x when B=90. In that case, X+ will be toward the main chuck, Z- will be toward the chip pan. I strongly believe that this method should be used to eliminate the B90. special case. G12x will be used at B89.999 and B90.001 so I say loose the gearhead baggage. Your post writer may disagree.

 

Hope this helps

[Grant]

Hi Rookie1,

I have a PowerPoint presentation that CNC Software gave me, it is based round an Integrex, and decribes excatly what you require. I am more than happy to share it with you, but it's 19Mb, and our internet security will not let me upload the file to cadcam's FTP site. I will upload from home tonight, in about 12 hours, it's first coffee time here. I will include a MC9 file that goes with the PowerPoint file.

This will help,

Grant.

[Peccator]

Hey guys,

 

Andrew- I talked to Steve ( Cadcam solutions )

he said that our post is set up for sub spindle and would handle it.

 

 

Harryman-I tried doing what you tried. That is to set Cplane to Side with right spindle under Millturn parameter, but that did not seem to work. On backplot the tool would come in pointing at the main then turn and switch to sub direction. All the numbers for tool position looked great but you never know til you try to machine it.

 

I know that the backplot and the verify can look great in MC and crash like HE double hockey sticks in the machine. I am not quite sure about the coordinate rotation macro. Archie (dayshift) has been on the horn with Mazak to try and figure this all out. Mazak has been very helpful to us. So, we'll see what they say.

 

Grant- When I try to go to Cadcam's FTP site I get an FTP folder error. Does anyone know that is??

[Harryman]

To find the rotation macro, look in the machine C:T_plc folder. It should be named 90000912x.eia You can also ckeck the K parameters. Upper right side of screen will be two collums of numbers 12x on left and 90000912x on right.

 

Good to hear Mazak is cooperative. Lets all keep the positives flowing.

[Peccator]

I found a T_PLC Program file on the C: on the machine. In it was 9000.eia and index.tbl. Under 9000.eia there wasn't anything I was looking for.

[Harryman]

How old is your machine?

 

Have you only run Mazatrol?

[Peccator]

The machine is less than a year old.

I've been in this trade for 13 years and I have never ran a Mazak. Couldn't program at the control if I tried. But, from what I have seen it looks very EZ.

[crazy^millman]

Well I can tell you what I would do in your situation. I would go ni early I woudl stay late with a book and start learning if you show that kinda of intrest I promise you it will get noticed. I did this for over 5 years in different place and then I was they guy that epople where calling to come work for them. I went to 4 different place not looking but having people looking for me and what I could do for them. I will also tell you this make a notebook and keep plenty of notes if they dont do you good there never know where they might do you good in the future.

 

 

Crazy MillmAN

[Peccator]

Thats exactly what I need to do. Me and the 1st shift programmer need to come in a Saturday when no one is here and do some trial runs on the Grex. Thank God, he has a lot of Mazatrol exp.

Maybe I should take that book home and read it?

 

 

I've seen those guys on Mazatrol blow me on programmimg. They can do 2D programming real quick.

 

 

And another thing, I just passed form new member to member status.