Setup sheets

[Ewood42]

At my last shop, I never used them since all tools were dedicated, offsets were hard coded, and I was the one to prove out any new programs I wrote. Here, I hand off setup sheets and new programs to someone else 90% of the time. Currently using activereports and a template made by a previous employee. Works OK, but I need to tweak the format a little, and wondering if learning to write template files is worth it or if there are any other plug-ins that work well.

Comment what you use, if not on the list.

[RonC.]

We use manual entry here, since most of our tools a dedicated, post take care of tool list, and we use manual entry for setup info

[Mark VIII]

I use manual entry for instructions. I created a post processor that pulls the manual entry  info out of MC and tool info and each process info. Then, for pics, I have viewsheets set up that I just print for each op. Active reports is too limited.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Depending on the customer's preferences, I use two different methods.

Method 1

I use a "Dot Set File". (MILL.SET)

This is essentially a modified Post Processor, that is setup to generate a Text Report. Since it is a Post Processor at it's heart, you can get any data you want from any of the Operations.

The main reason I go with a .SET file, is because I can modify my regular NC Code Post Processor, to launch the .SET file automatically in the 'ppost$' Post Block. I pass the NCI file that I just finished processing to generate the NC File, and mine the NCI for the data I need in my setup sheet. The advantage here is that I get a perfect setup sheet, any time I post a new NC File. The process is 100% automatic, so I never have to worry about "Did I, or another Programmer, forget to generate a new setup sheet when I tweaked that RPM for the Tap?

The only disadvantage with the DOT SET method, is you can't generate the pictures automatically. You have to do that manually if you want pictures with the Setup Sheet.

Method 2

Jim Varco is a former Post Developer, who worked for a Reseller (I believe, if I remember my history correctly!)

Jim really embraced the Active Reports, and learned how to customize the software to make the setup sheet automatic, grab any information you want from the Mastercam File, and also automate the generation of Pictures of the Setup, Operation Info, and Tool List info.

He does a fantastic job of customizing the reports to give you exactly the information you need, and the price he charges is a bargain, for the value you get.

http://varcoreporting.com/

If you want a cost effective, slick solution, I'd go with Varco Reporting all day, every day. This is money well spent. (Again, the price is cheap for what you get...)

 

[Newbeeee™]

It *should* be 1x click and easily editable...

 

[Ewood42]

10 minutes ago, Colin Gilchrist said:

Depending on the customer's preferences, I use two different methods.

Method 1

I use a "Dot Set File". (MILL.SET)

This is essentially a modified Post Processor, that is setup to generate a Text Report. Since it is a Post Processor at it's heart, you can get any data you want from any of the Operations.

The main reason I go with a .SET file, is because I can modify my regular NC Code Post Processor, to launch the .SET file automatically in the 'ppost$' Post Block. I pass the NCI file that I just finished processing to generate the NC File, and mine the NCI for the data I need in my setup sheet. The advantage here is that I get a perfect setup sheet, any time I post a new NC File. The process is 100% automatic, so I never have to worry about "Did I, or another Programmer, forget to generate a new setup sheet when I tweaked that RPM for the Tap?

The only disadvantage with the DOT SET method, is you can't generate the pictures automatically. You have to do that manually if you want pictures with the Setup Sheet.

Method 2

Jim Varco is a former Post Developer, who worked for a Reseller (I believe, if I remember my history correctly!)

Jim really embraced the Active Reports, and learned how to customize the software to make the setup sheet automatic, grab any information you want from the Mastercam File, and also automate the generation of Pictures of the Setup, Operation Info, and Tool List info.

He does a fantastic job of customizing the reports to give you exactly the information you need, and the price he charges is a bargain, for the value you get.

http://varcoreporting.com/

If you want a cost effective, slick solution, I'd go with Varco Reporting all day, every day. This is money well spent. (Again, the price is cheap for what you get...)

 

Can't use option 1, need pictures. Our machinists have wildly varying levels of skill. A lot can go without setup images, but many can't. Lowest common denominator and all that.

 

Do you know if Jim offers training on it setting up activereports? I think he worked for my local reseller. I'd rather learn to do it myself than have someone else do it for me.

[Goldorak]

I use exclusively X+ for over 10 years 

i tried other but X+ is always better 

[gms1]

I used to be an X+ user until I sat down and hammered out a decent active reports setup sheet. Haven't looked back since.

[Basics]

X+

[Colin Gilchrist]

36 minutes ago, Ewood42 said:

Can't use option 1, need pictures. Our machinists have wildly varying levels of skill. A lot can go without setup images, but many can't. Lowest common denominator and all that.

 

Do you know if Jim offers training on it setting up activereports? I think he worked for my local reseller. I'd rather learn to do it myself than have someone else do it for me.

Honestly, I'd start with the Active Reports Tutorials. This should be available from your Reseller...

That would get you a long ways towards doing the customization. You can certainly contact Jim and see if he offers training...

[Mark VIII]

The biggest problem with active reports is that you must rely on MC predefining all of the tags. A lot of the info I generate for setup sheets comes from formulas that I created within my post processors. So, that rules out active reports.

[Newbeeee™]

Has AR been configured to allow saving in MS Word format yet?

Not RTF but word?

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

4 minutes ago, Newbeeee™ said:

Has AR been configured to allow saving in MS Word format yet?

Not RTF but word?

I save them as PDF's with the Cute PDF printer driver.

[Newbeeee™]

4 minutes ago, Matthew Hajicek™ - Conventus said:

I save them as PDF's with the Cute PDF printer driver.

I was using Nitro which got as close as close could be. And it would allow drag and drop of photos of set-ups onto the sheet too. Trouble was editing was a little funky which did prove problematical for my fellow work mates. MS Word would have been REALLY EASY PEASY...

[neurosis]

55 minutes ago, Newbeeee™ said:

I was using Nitro which got as close as close could be. And it would allow drag and drop of photos of set-ups onto the sheet too. Trouble was editing was a little funky which did prove problematical for my fellow work mates. MS Word would have been REALLY EASY PEASY...

I use LibreOffice Draw to edit pdf setup sheets created with Active Reports.

[Mark VIII]

1 hour ago, Neurosis said:

I use LibreOffice Draw to edit pdf setup sheets created with Active Reports.

 

Why? You could use excel, right?

[neurosis]

2 hours ago, Mark VIII said:

 

Why? You could use excel, right?

 

I don't have excel.  I use LibreOffice Calc for spread sheets.  Draw opens a pdf like a diagram (think MS Visio) so you can do quite a bit with it. I have no reason to use excel or calc in this case.

[Machineguy]

X+

[jeff]

X+ is the best that I've used, it's quick and easy to customize to my liking.

Mastercam setup sheets suck.

[Müřlıń®]

Varco Active Reports because I am a contract programmer.

 

For me in my own shop.....X+ because it has everything I need in a small footprint.

 

Active Reports generate Novels.....which is needed sometimes and preferred.

 

[Fred @ Slate Industries]

Method 1 !!!

With a twist...

Copy your .set tool list text

And in MC Note

Paste it

Now with your screen print

You have a one shot set up sheet 

[Mark VIII]

On 10/12/2018 at 10:27 PM, Fred@Slate industries said:

Method 1 !!!

With a twist...

Copy your .set tool list text

And in MC Note

Paste it

Now with your screen print

You have a one shot set up sheet 

 

That sounds like 4 shots.

Post setup

copy setup

paste setup

post program

[ABOMB1977]

On 10/11/2018 at 5:00 AM, jeff said:

X+ is the best that I've used, it's quick and easy to customize to my liking.

Mastercam setup sheets suck.

You'd think that they would read the feedback and make it more accessible to customize to customer preferences, right?!

 

Seems like people have to be code breakers instead of customers....

[Newbeeee™]

10 minutes ago, ABOMB1977 said:

You'd think that they would read the feedback and make it more accessible to customize to customer preferences, right?!

 

Seems like people have to be code breakers instead of customers....

It's been my biggest peeve for years. All the info is in the mcam file, so 1x click and out it should come and MS Word is the most used document package out there...

 

[ABOMB1977]

THIS RIGHT HERE Helped me sort through the ancient chinese secrets and create a simplified Setup Sheet that can be used by our setup guys without having to be decrypted....: