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Simtech

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Posts posted by Simtech

  1. Sometimes, writing out the post line like this can make for a cumbersome logic and also not permit to re-use the info in some other location in the post.

     

    I would prefer to create a new post block alltogether and call it up on the outputted post line ... something like this:

     

    phood #Hood Adjustement Height

    if mi4$ = 1, "E=TLLEN" #Auto height adjustement

    if mi4$ > 1, *mi4$ #Custom height

     

    And access this information in the posted line as Paul had it before:

     

    n$, "XG0", pfxout, pfyout, pfzout, phood, *feed, *speed, *t$, *zclear, strcantext, e$

     

    It makes it much easier to read, easier to re-use the "phood" post block somewhere else and also isolates the programming logic in one area.

     

    Also, if needed, easier to copy from 1 post to another.

     

    This also allows commenting the new post block for futur reference (we do forget things years down the road!)

     

    Hope this helps!

  2. Turk,

    Ron has it on the mark.

    I used to be a college teacher in mechanical engineering, self taught in all CAD/CAM/CNC stuff. After a few years, the challenge of learning new stuff was fading so I decided to start my own business.

    No steady pay, no insurance, vacations, medical leave, office, equipment, co-workers ... nothing but a leap of faith in my ability to make it work.

    Became a Mastercam reseller for about 8 years where I learned a lot of CAD/CAM/CNC stuff, but also in HR, finance, managing people, negotiating with customers and so on.

    If you're job security lies in your own abilities, I beleive you're on the right track.

    If you depend on others for a living - it can fall short on very little notice.

    BTW, never had a 5 axis machine to "play" with on a day to day basis but I've trained many, done posts for many, banged my head on the wall a few times, but all in all, always managed to figure things out.

    Have luck with your search ...

  3. The variables allow you to have the output to dynamically change according to there values.

     

    You could also assign this macro with addresses and call it out like this:

    M98 P9999 A0 B0 C4 D3 L0 M0 N4 P3

     

    Each value assigned to an address could be used in the macro.

     

    Hope this helps!

  4. How about something like this? Haven't tested but use with caution!

     

    %

    #101=0 (X POSITION)

    #102=0 (X COUNTER)

    #103=4 (X SPACING)

    #104=3 (X QTY)

     

    #105=0 (Y POSITION)

    #106=0 (Y COUNTER)

    #107=4 (Y SPACING)

    #108=4 (Y QTY)

     

    G54

    #106=0 (Y COUNTER SET)

    N1 (RETURN FROM Y INCREMENT)

    IF [#106 EQ #108] GOTO 20 (REACHED Y QTY - END LOOP)

    #102=0 (X COUNTER SET)

    N5 (RETURN FROM X INCREMENT)

    IF [#102 EQ #104] GOTO 10 (REACHED X QTY - END LOOP)

    G52X#101Y#105

    M98P1000

    #102=#102+1 (INCREMENT X COUNTER)

    #101=#101+#103 (ADD X SPACING)

    GOTO N5

    N10 (END X LOOP)

    #106=#106+1 (INCREMENT Y COUNTER)

    #105=#105+#107 (ADD Y SPACING)

    GOTO N1

    N20 (END Y LOOP)

    M30

    %

  5. You guys are a Cimco Reseller and Mastercam Reseller.

     

    You should check to see if you are running cimco from Mastercam's Common directory or trying to run a standalone version of cimco V5 using a licence file... Try getting this solved to start with.

  6. If all other code is the same, why not just ask a question when posting to select correct machine and modify the output accordingly.

     

    This makes it much more easier if you are to change anything else along the way ... just 1 post to edit.

     

    My 2%

  7. Look into a cabled/wireless DNC system. A lot depends on how many machines, distances between PC and machines and also plans for futur expansion.

     

    For now, you seem to have 8 machines (if my math is correct). RS-232 cabling from PC to machine should not exceed 300 ft. If using this type of cabling, I recommend using sheilded cabling to hinder any interference.

     

    Another solution is putting an RS-232 HUB on the shop floor with RS-232 drop downs to each machine.

     

    To combine Ethernet capable machines and some that might not have this capability, you could string Ethernet cables from your PC to a hub on the shop floor and from there ethernet cable to each machine. Moxa has some NPort5110 converters that will convert a TCP/IP address into a COM port. This will allow you to use standard cabling all across the shop.

     

    We often use DIGI Acceleport XEM or CX modules for direct RS-232. You can also put in a PCI multiport card in the PC (Rocketport, Startech, ...).

     

    Wireless is another route, instead of using ethernet cables you would use a wireless bridge ... and at the machine use the Moxa units.

     

    As far as software is concerned, we are in a Mastercam forum so many are already use to using the Cimco Edit software supplied with Mastercam. Cimco DNc-Max will handle many transfer protocoles and needs pertaining to your transfer needs. Take a look at the documentation at there website http://www.cimco-software.com

     

    If you need more info, send me an e-mail ...

     

    Hope this helps ...

  8. I'll give a shot at an answer for the z_min/z_max:

     

    During execution of the post, the pwrtt section is being called out first, before the first operation is being output to the post.

     

    It runs thru all operations and gets info for tooltable, tool planes, and x,y,z min/max limits by calling ptravel and writes out the info by calling pwritbuf5.

     

    After this parsing is done, ptravel is re-called from the psof section.

     

    hope this helps...

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