I am not a post guru, but I think this one even I can do with a little help. I need to change the post to produce B axis moves instead of A.

The material is 6061 aluminum. I'll check out any brands that you guys can come up with. One that I called yesterday won't do a hole that small. So I may be SOL.

I guess they are called reverse spotfacers? maybe?

We have a part with 6 counterbore and clearanced holes for 1/4-20. the way that we hold the part we can't put the counterbores in. We have to later setup on a bridgeport to do these counterbores. I have been told that there tools available that I could drop into the clearance holes. Turn on the spindle and the cutting edge of the tool will pop out, allowing me to do the counterbore. Does anybody have experience with this type of tooling? Who might carry these?? MSC? Kenneametal? Thanks for the help

This is what the code looks like now code: G0 G54.1 P31 G90 X-7.1455 Y0. B90. S6000 M3 G05.1Q1 G43 H3 Z9. M8 G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 N110 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y0. B180. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y0. B270. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y0. B360. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 M9 M5 Code using millmans method of retract points code: G0 G54.1 P31 G90 X-7.1455 Y-8. B90. S6000 M3 G43 H3 Z9. M8 N110 Y0. Z3. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 N120 Y-8. Z9. N130 B180. N140 Y0. Z3. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 N150 Y-8. Z9. N160 B270. N170 Y0. Z3. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 N180 Y-8. Z9. N190 B360. N200 Y0. Z3. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-8. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 Y-16. G98 G81 Z-.4161 R.9875 F75. G80 N210 Y-8. Z9. M9 M5 Notice the reference plane on the first is Z9. This allows clearance for the B axis to index. The reference plane on the second is Z3. then moves to a safe location to allow the B axis to rotate.

my post says code: # Post Name : MPMitsubishi # Product : MILL # Machine Name : GENERIC Mitsubishi FANUC 18i This line may have been changed by the programmer before me. I don't know if it has the capability to send the spindle home before indexing.

How do I know if my post is MPMASTER?

Crash averted. This method of retracting the spindle works very well. But you have to be sure the program is reviewed THOROUGHLY and nothing is overlooked (programming 101). I had the tool plane and construction plane wrong for 1 of the (20+) retract points..CRASH!!! Just wanted to pass along my findings. Like I stated before I am open to any other ideas.

Sorry to do this, but would someone care too look over this thread and give any other ideas???

Only if I could modify the post to rapid to a X,Y,Z position before ever rotating the B axis, I think my problem would be fixed. Come on Millman I know you got this one..??

Worked! But man I'm not sure if it is worth all my time... It'll take me some time to fix all the programs. ±10 minutes x 3-6 operations x 8-10 programs = alot of time The programs aren't broke, they work fine now... Point toolpaths worked great. but is there an easier way? less time consuming?.... modify post somehow??

Had to jump through hoops to get it this far. But still not right. The drill retracts to Z9. but then wants to rapid to Z2.0 B180. simultaneously (CRASH!!) So I'm thinking.. .. point toolpath before and point toolpath after..??

GREAT TIP MILLMAN! This may take me a little bit to get the kinks out. but looks like it will work.

We have a Mitsubishi HMC with pallet changer. The pallet has 4 sides with 3 stations on each (12 fixtures). I have a drill toolpath that I "transform by toolplane-translate rectangular-" down x3. Then I "transform by toolplane-rotate about origin-" the "translated" toolpath x3. Then I ghost the original drill toolpath, posting only the "translate rectangular" and "rotate about origin" toolpaths. (I hope I've explained well enough). This may not be the best way but without getting into what way is better..... My question is this: I would like to put the retract plane at 2" above the part when translating down (x3), but make the retract plate 9" above the part before rotating the B axis. Is there an easy way to modify the post to retract to 9", for example, before ever rotating the B axis? Is this a good idea? Is there an easier way? Works the way it is but I would like to cut out some of the redundant rapid moves. If I could improve this, the boss will be very happy

Thanks Charlie that isn't something I thought of doing. Tim, I don't want to modify my post, to add these two lines, every time I post a program using this post. It is only for this one part. Isn't there some way I can add my own canned text to each operation??

I'm not sure of what you mean but it is for a Fanuc 18i controller. The code now... code: N600 T9 M06 T8 M52 G05.1Q0 G0 G54.1 P31 G90 X-7.1455 Y0. B450. S7155 M3 G05.1Q1 G43 H9 Z12. M8 G98 G81 Z-1.0609 R-.265 F71. I want it to be.... code: N600 T9 M06 T8 IF[#503NE2]GOTO99 N99#3000=1(WRONGPALLET) M52 G05.1Q0 G0 G54.1 P31 G90 X-7.1455 Y0. B450. S7155 M3 G05.1Q1 G43 H9 Z12. M8 G98 G81 Z-1.0609 R-.265 F71. @ every tool change. This is to allow the operator to start at any tool change while at the same time making sure they don't start with the wrong pallet in the machine. The other thing is that this is for one part. I don't want to modify the post for one part. I have tried entering it in as a canned text but couldn't get it to work. Any help would be great...

We have a HMC with a 2 pallet changer. I am going to run two programs using two sets of fixtures on each pallet. I have a variable set to identify which pallet is in the machine. What I need to do is add a command at the beginning of each tool change to check this variable before running. Is there an easy way to add code to the program without having 25 manual entries or editing the posted text.

Has anyone out there ever programmed a gantry to put parts on and pick parts off a two spindle lathe. From what I have seen so far it looks pretty difficult. Any suggestions would be helpful.