Lathe Quad tools

[Brian Pallas]

Hello,

 

Programming dual spindle lathes we use a quad tool holder that holds 2 tools for each spindle.  A rougher and finisher for both sides.  So the rougher on the main spindle is T303, the finisher on the main is T333, and the rougher on the sub is T323 and the finisher for the sub is T343.

 

In MasterCam I will bring my tool in and in the "define tool" and give it tool #3 with, say for example, offset 33.  Then after I green check out of that back to the toolpath box, the tool will be T303!  Every toolpath I create with a different offset numbered tool I need to enter the offset in on the toolpath parameters page.

 

Is there any way to get MCAM to take the offsets in the define tool page and not change them?  I don't have this problem with normal tools, just ones using the same tool number.

 

Thanks,

Brian

[crazy^millman]

Brian, I have seen this issue for years in Mastercam Lathe. Wish I could say MT handles this better, but I cannot say at this time it does. There is a understanding of what needs to happen and where it needs to go, but for now I am sorry to say you probably will have to keep fighting it.

 

Bad guy out.

[Brian Pallas]

Thanks for the reply.  I kind of figured that is what the answer was going to be, but was *hoping* there was an easier solution

 

Another question I have today - If you have your program for both the sub and main spindles and POCO done, and you want to change the sub spindle chucking diameter and gripping position, what is the easiest way to do that without mucking everything up?  

 

If there isn't an easy way I can just draw in where I know the chuck jaws will be and have that level turned on when I backplot.

[DavidSV]

Mine works fine. Are you changing the tool in the Tool Manager? I use gang holders all the time on my lathes.

[Brian Pallas]

I change the tool offset # in the tool manager, but it doesn't stick.  I have to enter the tool offset# each time in the toolpath parameters page for each toolpath.  

Just to check, you mean that you are using the same T # with a different offset #?

[3rdstring]

I know I've seen that issue before & I'm not 100% sure what I had to change to get it working properly (maybe "From tool"  checked in the CD for lathe tools) but It does work now.