Could I add it to the null tool change section in a non-logic form, just a forced output? This is going to be a separate saved post from my normal one, where every toolchange and end of operation has the head retract move

I often work with large parts/fixtures that require moving the Z axis to its max height limit before moving over top of the part. On our HAAS VF8 that max height is actually about 4.25 above the tool change home. The move is done by switching to mach cords G53 Z4.25 I have incorporated it into my post at each tool change: N1 T01 M06 (4.0 FACE MILL | H01) N2 G00 G90 G53 Z4.25 (RECTRACT HEAD) N3 G00 G90 G54 X-13.0399 Y-13.5563 A0. S4000 M03 N4 G43 H01 Z11.1563 But I need help also adding the same move immediately after the Z rapid rectract after each operation. I've added the same post line at the beginning of the "pretract" section, but it doesn't post the line until after the moves to the reference pos.: N15 X-3.3401 N16 Y11.5563 N17 X-.9151 N18 Y-13.5563 N19 G00 Z11.1563 N20 Z20. N21 X-23. Y16. N22 G00 G90 G53 Z4.25 (RECTRACT HEAD) N23 M09 N24 G91 G28 Z0 M05 N25 A0. N26 M01 pretract #End of tool path, toolchange pbld, n$, "G00 G90 G53 Z4.25", sopen_prn, no_spc$, "RECTRACT HEAD", no_spc$, sclose_prn, e$ sav_absinc = absinc$ absinc$ = one sav_coolant = coolant$ coolant$ = zero # if nextop$ = 1003, #Uncomment this line to leave coolant on until eof unless [ # explicitely turned off through a canned text edit if all_cool_off, [ #all coolant off with a single off code here if coolant_on, pbld, n$, sall_cool_off, e$ coolant_on = zero ] else, [ local_int = zero coolantx = zero while local_int < 20 & coolant_on > 0, [ coolantx = and(2^local_int, coolant_on) local_int = local_int + one if coolantx > zero, [ coolantx = local_int pbld, n$, scoolantx, e$ ] coolantx = zero ] coolant_on = zero ] ] #cc_pos is reset in the toolchange here cc_pos$ = zero gcode$ = zero pbld, n$, sccomp, scoolant, psub_end_mny, e$ if nextop$ = 1003 | tlchg_home, pbld, n$, "X0", sm05, e$ pbld, n$, sgabsinc, sgcode, *sg28ref, "Z0", sm05, e$ if nextop$ = 1003 | tlchg_home, pbld, n$, *sg28ref, "Y0", sm09, protretinc, e$ else, pbld, n$, protretinc, e$ if (subactv = zero & use_g52_shft & wrkofs_num = zero) | shft_flg = one, [ n$, *sg52, "X0. Y0. Z0.", e$ #Cancel Work Shift shft_flg = zero ] absinc$ = sav_absinc coolant$ = sav_coolant Is this a post issue, or some way I could work this out in MMD or the operation itself?

Thank you. I figured it out by loading up the Generic HAAS 4axis MMD, looked at the settings in there. For some reason, in the "axis combinations" page, you have to uncheck the table, then it lets you check the A axis and chuck. Went back to my MMD, did the same, now its posting out. By the way, how do I upload files, I tried to attach my MMD to this post and it said not authorized for this type of file?

I don't know if I am missing something in my Post, MMD, MCD or just some setting in the operations themselves, but I'm not getting any A axis output for my rotary All I use it for is indexing to certain angles, then just 3 axis milling from there. In my MMD it has an A axis in the machine configuration tree, but in the axis combinations page its red slashed out

I took some time to search around the forum, and didn't find a whole lot of info. I keep having issues with the Verify saying "tool for opxxxx has undercuts, select 5 axis" I go and select 5 axis check box, then re-run the verify and it pops up again with the same warning, and I go to look at the 5 axis box and it is unchecked. It mostly does this with my face mill. Is there something about this tool? Why doesn't it stay selected on 5 axis verify? also, I have to turn the Precision slider all the way down or it always gives "failed allocation of memory chunk" errors constantly. Do I have some setting wrong? Is it just my computer? running X7 SP2

Thanks for the suggestions/discussion. I ended up going with the idea I mentioned in my OP and it worked just fine. But I can see the 3d contour method working much easier. You just need to first draw the centerline of the groove, and a vertical plunge line, which I will try next opportunity.

So then I probably should make a copy of my tool library with speed/feeds for the slower RPM machine

A follow-up question: If I have a tool setup for, let's say, 10k rpm and 50ipm, but I want to use it in another machine, which has a max spindle of 3500rpm set in the Machine Def. will it automatically update the feedrate when I select that tool for an operation?

That is the same thing I was thinking, to make a library for each material. I don't see the point of basing it off the material, because how can you set a base chipload for all tools used on any given material? every tool needs a specific chip load based on its diameter.

Now that I have some parts under my belt, and I'm understanding alot of the different toolpaths and how they work, I want to make a tool library for myself. My question, is it better to tweak the speeds/feeds by material settings or speeds/feeds by the tool settings. It seems to me, that the material speed/feed settings don't give you much flexability. For instance, for drilling, it wants to set % of base SFM at 60%. Well, if I set the base for 6061 alum. to 1000SFM then it would recomend a drill run at 600sfm? seems high, and I don't see how I can change that percentage I don't want to get halfway thru my library and have to go back and change it all again.

Thank you all for your help. I ended up going with the Flowline toolpath that John helped me with. with a .0001 scallop it came out quite smooth, with a light zipper line. No problem for our Prep department. Thanks again

I searched the forum and couldn't find anything. I do alot of Parker Hannifin dovetail o-rings and I'm just not sure of a good toolpath to use to run the dovetail cutter. It basically needs to plunge in and follow the centerline of the groove. The only thing I can figure is to use a contour and pick the outer wall and "leave stock" 1/2 width of groove. Anybody else come accross this problem?

Just for kicks, I tried the contour finish toolpath, with ramp, but it has a ton of rectracts. Thoughts? Also, how can I rough this taper. The stock has a 10.0" thru hole in it already from the waterjet. Which toolpath can I use that will pocket all that out, but also realize there is a hole already in the stock? M00006033-1.MCX-7

Ok, yeah I missed that I still had it on spiral. Just seems counterintuitive, it should be if you select spiral and the geometry is a round, non-spline arc, it should come out one smooth cut, with one z move per pass around, kinda like a lathe. I don't understand why it has to break it into line segments oh well Thanks so much for the help!

Got it, here you go Yes, I re-loaded my mach def and it still came out short just like you sent it.

ugh, forums.....how do I delete my old attachment, its saying I don't have enough space to attach another one?

John, That is perfect, thank you! But I don't understand, I put in your exact settings into my program and it comes about 1652k and yours is only 39k What am I missing?

Ok, I have G17 18 19 on now. Made it alot better. But still about 40k lines of code. Here are my current settings. total tol. = .010 stepover, distance .005 50/50 cut tol. line/arc tol min arc rad .5 max arc rad 100 the surface finish needs to be 32. and my spindle is max at 3500rpm How to I attach a pic of my desktop screen?

Thanks for the replies. The Issue I am having with the Flowline is that it gives nice smooth toolpath, but its all tiny line segments. But one I turn up the tolerance larger than about .005 it starts adding a bunch of rapid retracts. I don't understand why its creating line segments, the geometry is a true circle all the way down The program can't be too long because its going into an ancient controller/machine '82 matsuura with Fanuc 11 Is the Solid messed up maybe?

I could use some help in learning about finishing strategies. In the attached file I have three different finishing toolpath strategies I am working on. So far the flowline toolpath seems the most simple and smooth, but I don't know if it is better than scallop or contour. This 45 degree "cone" is a common feature on several other parts I need to program as well Thanks,

Nevermind, got it Thanks Colin!

That worked! Now I am noticing that my two 2D Dynamic toolpaths are not rapiding to clearance plane at the beginning or end of their operation

More issues: It is not posting a retract and toolchange between all operations as I would like. But its weird it's only skipping the retract/tool change return when the next op is a 2d dynamic HST. If I de-select those ops in my MC program it puts a retract/tool change return/m01 between every operation

Thanks JParis, Yeah I'm starting to realize that working with solids is not quite as easy as the Youtube videos make it look. I was able to figure it out, I had chained the lower edge of the part as the "machining region" and didn't have any "avoidance". Then I looked it up in the MC help and realized I needed to chain the stock as the "machining region" and the lower edge of the part as "avoidance" then it worked

Having trouble chaining a basic solid part for a 2d dynamic core toolpath. When I go to chain geometry, I used solid chaining, then make sure edges and loops is my active pick, then I chain the outermost, lower most solid edge of the part. But then it gives me a toolpath that cuts away the entire part?