Lathe toolpaths using VBScript

[Fabiano]

Hi everyone, i'm starting to use VBScript to manage some lathe operations but i can't find anyway to create lathe toolpaths, I can only work with millng operations. Can you guys help me with some informations or documents you might know? I'm searching through the help menu on the code editor of MX9 but only mill operations appear. Is it possible to work with lathe operations using VBScript on MX9 or is it necessary to work with Chooks and Net-hooks instead. Is this the only option?

 

Thank you.

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

The "MakeOperationFromName" function in VBScript which lets you import an operation and apply currently selected Chains or Points only works with Mill/Router type toolpaths.

Creating (importing an operation and applying the geometry) for Lathe type toolpaths is only possible with a C-Hook style add-in.

[Fabiano]

On 11/04/2017 at 0:46 PM, Roger Martin from CNC Software said:

The "MakeOperationFromName" function in VBScript which lets you import an operation and apply currently selected Chains or Points only works with Mill/Router type toolpaths.

Creating (importing an operation and applying the geometry) for Lathe type toolpaths is only possible with a C-Hook style add-in.

 

Thanks for the answer, can you somehow help me with some example of Chook of doing a simple rough operation, I don't know if it´s too difficult to do something like this but the idea is: with a library lathe tool I will create make the user, step by step, choose the operation, tool (wich has it's parameters already "blocked") and make him choose about plunge definitions and lead in/out, depending on the most important stuff to fill depending on the operation he chooses. Is this possible?? I would be very pleased if you can help me or maybe if you could show me some examples of Chooks, i mean what is inside of them, how can I open them in Visual Studio, things like that. I tried installing NetHook "plug-in" on Visual Studio but I couldn't go too far. 

 

Thanks for the help.

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

Quote

 I tried installing NetHook "plug-in" on Visual Studio but I couldn't go too far. 

??? Not sure what you mean here. ^^^

What version of Mastercam?
That determines which version of Visual Studio that you must have.
If you email us (SDK<at>mastercam<dot>com) with your customer info and details of what you are trying to do.
An example of the desired "end result" is also very useful.
We may be able to assist.

[Fabiano]

28 minutes ago, Roger Martin from CNC Software said:

What version of Mastercam?

 

The company where I'm making my final project of university  just installed Mastercam 2017, I´m trying to work with VBScript to parameterize all the operations I can for the best suitable options in terms of cut parameters, etc, like creating a tool library specifically for our "turning section" which is going to block some of the parameters I want depending on wich tool is chosen . After that I would want to create a VBScript file wich would maybe run from it's inside some MasterCam Chooks that would create operations in MasterCam more easily just as like as in the case of milling or router types, that´s why I ask that before in this topic. I had two ideas: one would be perfect for me, this one would get the levels or line styles that would be in a .dxf file maybe and "understand" where it has to make a rough+finish operation, or a groove operation, etc, and it would do almost everything by itself, the programmer only would have to confirm if it was correct and choose the proper tools. The other one I already have a "sketch" of it and if you want I can send it via e-mail, but sincerely, I couldn't understand on your last post what's your e-mail. This one is very simple and just opens a file, "prepares" it, pops the proper window depending on which operation we want to do, and save it, nothing too complex but it's a start. 

The thing is, I know I probably have to know much more about how to open, interpret and write CHooks for MasterCam on VisualStudio, but I don't seem to find how I'm going to be able to do it. Can you help me? Any of the information I gave you above help? Thanks a lot, I'm starting to feel worried about the way things going with the project. You've been a great help.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

Quote

...one would be perfect for me, this one would get the levels or line styles that would be in a .dxf file maybe and "understand" where it has to make a rough+finish operation, or a groove operation, etc, and it would do almost everything by itself...

Everyone would love to have this capability! Load a CAD drawing, push a button and out comes the NC toolpath program.
Doing automatic toolpathing like this is very difficult to do, and then only when you are working with a limited "known set" of inputs. 
Look at Mastercam's ATP to see an example of what is involved.
*It works for Mill/Router only, doing what is known as "flat panel" work.

Quote

I'm starting to feel worried about the way things going with the project.

It sounds as if you came up with an idea for a project with no idea of what it would take to accomplish it.
If you are not familiar with C++ coding, and do not have a lot of time to invest in this, the chances of being successful are probably not good.
 

[crazy^millman]

1 hour ago, Roger Martin from CNC Software said:

Everyone would love to have this capability! Load a CAD drawing, push a button and out comes the NC toolpath program.
Doing automatic toolpathing like this is very difficult to do, and then only when you are working with a limited "known set" of inputs. 
Look at Mastercam's ATP to see an example of what is involved.
*It works for Mill/Router only, doing what is known as "flat panel" work.

It sounds as if you came up with an idea for a project with no idea of what it would take to accomplish it.
If you are not familiar with C++ coding, and do not have a lot of time to invest in this, the chances of being successful are probably not good.
 

Roger welcome to my world on almost a daily bases. What do you mean we cannot hold +/-.0001 on  .047 wide slot .750 deep in Inconel with an endmill.

[Fabiano]

5 hours ago, Roger Martin from CNC Software said:

It sounds as if you came up with an idea for a project with no idea of what it would take to accomplish it.

 

Thank you for the answer, I didn't come up with this idea (the company proposed it to me, and originally I wasn't even going to work with Mastercam- I created Macros on CIMCO that already help the programming of the parts "by hand" ), the project simply evolved this way when the Mastercam Lathe license became available at the company for us to work with. However, as always, I will not quit yet, and I would just like to learn how to simply open a Mastercam Chook on visual Studio I have installed the 2017 version of this software (the basic stuff), can you help me with that? I´m thinking about maybe opening the ATP example on the default examples that come with the installation of Mastercam 2017 or any other example (just mentioned that one because of what you said earlier) just to see how things process "inside them". Is that possible?

 

Thanks.