Tried outputting smcpath$ in header section to test like this: "SMCPATH=", *smcpath$, e$ Variable does not come out??? Mastercam X2 MR2

Hi guys, Is there a variable for the install path of the Mastercam application in the post, ie, smcampath = "C:mcam-x2sp1"? Using function result = launch(slauchapp, snewfile), where the variable slaunchapp needs to point to the installed mcam folder to get the MCX Editor. BTW, would have prefered to use Cimco Edit but Mastercam just hangs when defining Cimco as the editor ... if someone has an answer to that it would be great. Thanks!

What is the controller of this machine? Fanuc? Take a look at the Receive settings, under Save file linefeed, ie, right click on machine --> Port --> Configure Port --> Receive. Are you using V4 or V5?

Got it working, but the lathtype variable seems to be messed up between different operations ... need to get that fixed first. Thanks

Hi guys, Is there an easy way to reverse the Z-Axis sign when working on the sub spindle so that moving away from the chuck I'm in Z+, moving into the part it's Z-? Tried modifying the KNQ values in this section without success. #Columns- ABCDEFGH.IJKLMNOPQ scase_tr_c1 10000222.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Turning cut >>>> CHANGED FOR MACHINE CONFIG scase_tr_c2 10000012.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Right Face cut scase_tr_c_2 10110012.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Left Face cut scase_tr_c3 11010102.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Cross cut scase_tr_c3r 11001102.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Reverse Cross cut (cuttype = -3) scase_tr_c4c 11000222.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Y axis subs. Cycle scase_tr_c4 11000222.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Y axis subs. scase_tr_c5 10000222.000000000 #Top turret/Right spindle, Multisurf Rotary

Roger, I've tried outputting the FD inside a set file without success. Is there something that should be looked at. Thanks

Update note for version X2: change the following: pscomm0 --> pscomm0$ yes --> yes$ no --> no$ scomm0 --> scomm0$ comm_cnt --> comm_cnt$ e --> e$ add: stemp = ucase(stemp) #Capitalize string output Thanks Roger.

Thanks for the reply Alex ... Lets say the operations have workoffsets in this order: G54 - G56 - G58 - G55 - G54 - G56 - G58 etc ... I would want my setup sheet to list as follows: G54 X Y Z G55 X Y Z G56 X Y Z G58 X Y Z As you can see, G57 wasn't used on this part, no need to list it. Also, for some parts, we use multiple G54 P1 to G54 P20 The setup person will fill in the correct X Y Z data after install on the machine.

Thanks Roger ... The actual updating of the File-Save Descriptor after modifying it in the posting dialog box doesn't display until doing a File-Save-As like mentioned in your reply. I guess it would have been really simple to allow editing the File Descriptor directly when doing a File-Save or a File-Save-As. We are using this area to identify the Part Name and the Part Number of the piece being cut. We sometimes need to post out with different G-Codes depending on operations (ex.: 2 different files for a Horizontal Pallet changer) and don't want to prompt for this info each time. I've read your post on the comments being output before processing by the post and using buffers to handle the FD from the first operations comment. I will implementing this to fill in the header of the NC file with the info in it for program tracability. Thanks!

Decimal output is deal with the format statements and format commands. Look at these sections: # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Format statements - n=nonmodal, l=leading, t=trailing, i=inc, d=delta # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Default english/metric position format statements fs2 1 0.7 0.6 #Decimal, absolute, 7 place, default for initialize ( fs2 2 0.4 0.3 #Decimal, absolute, 4/3 place fs2 3 0.4 0.3d #Decimal, delta, 4/3 place #Common format statements fs2 4 1 0 1 0 #Integer, not leading fs2 5 2 0 2 0l #Integer, force two leading fs2 6 3 0 3 0l #Integer, force three leading fs2 7 4 0 4 0l #Integer, force four leading fs2 8 5 0 5 0l #Integer, force five leading fs2 9 0.1 0.1 #Decimal, absolute, 1 place fs2 10 0.2 0.2 #Decimal, absolute, 2 place fs2 11 0.3 0.3 #Decimal, absolute, 3 place fs2 12 0.4 0.4 #Decimal, absolute, 4 place fs2 13 0.5 0.5 #Decimal, absolute, 5 place fs2 14 0.3 0.3d #Decimal, delta, 3 place fs2 15 0.2 0.1 #Decimal, absolute, 2/1 place (feedrate) fs2 16 1 0 1 0n #Integer, forced output fs2 17 1.4 1.3lt #Decimal, absolute, 4/3 trailing fs2 18 6 0 6 0l related to: # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Toolchange / NC output Variable Formats # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt T 4 t$ #Tool No fmt T 4 first_tool$ #First Tool Used fmt T 4 next_tool$ #Next Tool Used fmt D 4 tloffno$ #Diameter Offset No fmt D 4 tlngno$ #Length Offset No fmt G 4 g_wcs #WCS G address fmt P 4 p_wcs #WCS P address fmt S 4 speed #Spindle Speed fmt M 4 gear #Gear range # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt N 4 n$ #Sequence number fmt X 2 xabs #X position output fmt Y 2 yabs #Y position output fmt Z 2 zabs #Z position output fmt X 3 xinc #X position output fmt Y 3 yinc #Y position output fmt Z 3 zinc #Z position output fmt X 2 xofs #X position output fmt Y 2 yofs #Y position output fmt Z 2 zofs #Z position output fmt A 11 cabs #C axis position fmt A 14 cinc #C axis position fmt A 14 cout_i #C axis position Format Statement 11 is for 3 decimal places. You can format a variable by using the FMT command as in: fmt Q 11 var_name #Comment

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-hum- anyone ???

Awesome ... Thanks

- bump - Anyone have an idea on this one???

OK, whats the difference between the File Save File Descriptor and the Output MCX File Descriptor??? I was looking at the File Save value. Thanks

Hi all ... Is it possible to edit the File Descriptor after it has been entered initially? Thanks!

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Hi guys, I'm trying to produce a HTML setup sheet that will output a page containing all UNIQUE work coordinate system values. When using a buffer, the repeated work offset doesn't come out with a negative (-) value to be omitted like in the case of the tool numbers. Does anyone have an idea on how to solve this problem? Thanks

I still havec a V7.2C dated 31 Aug 99. If possible, drop me a line and I'll see if I can get a copy out to you.

Another thing that happens from time to time, mostly with Mazatrol controls, is that some PC's COM ports don't send out a strong signal, so it may communicate for a certain period of time and then the signal seems to fade out. Adding a separate PCI COM port or using a multiport serial board can sometimes solve this type of problem. Shielding is a must for most shop environemments, make sure the shielding is being used (soldered to the machines DB25 metal connector). Also, look out for things out of the box, once installed a wireless system that went down every weekend, only to find out that a big metal foundary close buy did there metal meltdown by arc electrodes on the weekend creating havoc with wireless signals (cellular, internet, you name it ... and DNC!!!) hope this helps ...

Hi guys, When using the MPLFAN with Lathe Default machine/control, I'm programming a misc.ops Tailstock Advance and it's coming out before the pheader section. Is there a way to get the output after the pheader section. It's OK at the end of the program for the tailstock retract. PS: Don't want to use the canned text or manual entry methods. Thanks

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Here's a question for all the Mastercam guru's out there: I'm trying to figure out the best way to create a tool library/setup sheet that will take into consideration the following practices: lets say I have a 4" Fly cutter using the following: - Holder Sandvik A392.4505-40-38-061 - Tool Sandvick RA390-102R38-17M - Insert Sandvick R390-17-04-08E-NL-H13A As we all know, the same cutter can be installed with a different holder and/or inserts depending on reach and material requirements. We are using the setup sheet/tool list to provide information to the tool store personnel for proper preparation of tooling. The tool list could be provided from the GUI or SET file formats or also, the Excel application with the X+ Chook. The only problem here, is that the X+ Chook doesn't work with the Lathe tooling. I also would like to link this with a Jobboss ERP database where we hold tooling information. Also, in the HSM toolpaths, it's possible to define holder geometry ... how do I go about using tool information for Shrink Fit tools, Flexible Collet tools, multiple adapter Boring bars, etc .. if I cannot get the assembled info into Mastercam. Any help would be appreciated. Regards,

Looking at the X+ setup sheet option - just starting checking this out ... Is it possible to get data from lathe operations output to the Excel format? Thanks

Tried with multiple posts - using basic MPFAN the output is correct. Tried also with different versions of MPMASTER Heid-Conv post with no success. One things for sure, the MCX file, planes and toolpaths are OK. Just doesn't output correct for the 270 degrees ...