Gremlins on the loose again

[kathy]

Hello All

I programmed a part two weeks ago by taking an existing part and mirroring over the y axis to make a left hand part. I did run a solid, but obviously didn’t pay too much attention the backplot. On the NC file, at the beginning of pocket, the toolpath coded the X, Y movement to the first hole location machined prior, than moved on to the pocket. The machinist discovered the extra move at the machine.

So today, I ran a backplot of the hole & pocket operations, and the tool veered off to the end of the world at the affected location!! The Plotting position read out:

X$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Y0.000 Z1.000

X$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Y0.000 Z0.000

Than the tool continued on its merry way. The operation didn’t show any sign of problems, but when I regenerated the op, everything was fine.

So what gives? Do I have to watch every little thing? File available on request.

Thanks, Kathy

Code:

N24 ( DIA .250 HOLES FOR DIA .250 PIN )

N25 M9

N26 G0 G40 G49 M47 G90 Z0 M5

N27 M1

N28 M6 T3 ( .25 DIA , DRILL/BORE )

N29 M3 S4000

N30 E1 G0 X-7.2499 Y-.7503 hole location

N31 Z1.0 H3

N32 G85 G98 R0.1 Z-1.8 F10.

N33 X-27.4998

N34 X-47.7497

N35 G80

N36 ( POCKET STEP )

N37 M9

N38 G0 G40 G49 M47 G90 Z0 M5

N39 M1

N40 M6 T4 ( .75 DIA , POCKET.... )

N41 M3 S2000

N42 E1 G0 X-7.2499 Y-.7503 extra hole location

N43 Z1.0 H4

N44 X-47.7497 Z-1.8

N45 G1 X-48.0872 Y.7747 Z-.4 F10.

N46 Y.3555 F50.

N47 X-22.9366

 

[Mike Harrington from Macdac Eng.]

Kathy I feel your pain. I run into that all the time with regard to mirroring toolpaths. You ought to try it in 3D toolpaths... Its quite an eye opener ESPECIALLY when you dont back plot it and the only way you find out is... Well we wont go there!

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Are you using Version 8.11?

------------------

James Meyette

[Trevor Bailey]

I mirror 3d toolpath's all the time. I have not had any problems as of yet using V8.1. I am using a FADAL with the respective post right out of the box with minor toolheader changes. What kind of problems are you having, so that I may be able to look out for the same thing?

------------------

Trevor Bailey

[email protected]

Specializing in Contract Programming

[kathy]

James,

When I first programed the part I was using V8.1. Last thursday I loaded the V8.1.1 patch.

Kathy

[gstephens]

Have you regened in 8.1.1?

[cadcam]

kathy i would not mind trying. You can put on my FTP.

and any one can download it and look at to.

host: ftp://www.ppcadcam.com

user: mastercam

pass: forum

you will only have access to the mastercam forum dir.

you can upload and download fell free and let us know.

 

------------------

jay/ aka cadcam

Precision Programming

cnc programming &

Predator reseller

email: [email protected]

web: www.ppcadcam.com

[This message has been edited by cadcam (edited 05-10-2001).]

[kathy]

James,

I created the file in V8.1, but regened and fixed the file in V8.1.1 yesterday. You know what - I still have V8.0 loaded - I'll take a look at the original file there. I would much rather find somthing that was wrong and know what to look for, than just to have a random bug!!

Jay, I'll upload the file tonight at home (It's a godd 2 day turn around here to get the guys upstairs to do it!)

Thanks, Kathy

[cadcam]

you do know that bugs just add meat too your lunch. right.

------------------

jay/ aka cadcam

Precision Programming

cnc programming &

Predator reseller

email: [email protected]

web: www.ppcadcam.com

[This message has been edited by cadcam (edited 05-10-2001).]

[cadcam]

Hi kathy i was going to write & ask what the .fad file was but it is the Gcode file..

now if any one else would like to look at just log in and down load the file from the same dir.

------------------

jay/ aka cadcam

Precision Programming

cnc programming &

Predator reseller

email: [email protected]

web: www.ppcadcam.com

[cadcam]

just checking this is the file before mirror correct?

thanks jay

------------------

jay/ aka cadcam

Precision Programming

cnc programming &

Predator reseller

email: [email protected]

web: www.ppcadcam.com

[ronengineer]

I have encountered the same trouble as Kathy when transform-mirroring 3d toolpaths.

The tool gouges the part away to nothing. This seems to occur when using surface rough pocket only, profile and constant scallop seem to be OK ! (however I cannot be sure and have lost confidence with this function).

I now regen my transformed toolpaths using v8.0 as I know this works fine.

(I learnt long ago - aways keep yer old versions!)

This is not fixed with v8.1.1 !

Oh well, two steps forward, one step back...

 

[plastech]

Hi everybody,

I have also had the same results in V8 and V8.1.1. I think that the problem is associated with filtering and have only noticed it with filtered nci files. I have been using the NCI editer in V7.2 and it works great!

Rick Caldwell

Tooling Designer/Programer

Plas-Tech Tooling Inc.