Some machines offer a WIPS (Wireless Intuitive Probe System) option, allowing for the automatic tool calibration and setup of length and diameter offsets. This function is usually activated by a subprogram call (example: G65 P9023 T##). In order support this option in Mastercam, two actions are required: The first consists in customizing Mastercam to [...]
How to display the total cycle time at the beginning of a program It is a common practice for most NC programmers to include a series of comments at the beginning of all programs. These comments are used to provide useful information such as the part and program name, the date and time, the name [...]
Fanuc controls provide modal G codes that control where the tool ends up following a cycle. The G98 code causes the tool to return to the initial level after each canned cycle operation; the G99 code causes the tool to return to the R-point level after each canned cycle operation. NC programmers generally have a [...]
Machining tool paths are divided to cutting and positioning (i.e., rapid) paths. Positioning paths are non-cutting motions that must be minimized to increase machining efficiency. Path planning for multi-axis positioning motions is a challenging task. Programmers need to spend a lot of effort to adjust positioning motions in the CAM systems and later verify them [...]
ICAM's Manufacturing Extractor is an advanced tool allowing users to automatically pass information from the CAM system (tool, parts, fixtures, etc.) to ICAM's integrated post-processor and machine tool simulator, or to its G-code verificator. Steps for running the CATIA extractor: 1. Run CATIA/DELMIA 2. In the menu, go to "Tools" [...]
Did you know that ICAM Virtual Machine allows for Material Removal Simulation and 3D Measurement? ICAM Virtual Machine (VM) features Material Removal Simulation (MRS) to simulate the cutting action of the tool with respect to stock definitions and to perform collision checking between collision-enabled components and the in-process stock. MRS can be enabled from the [...]
The CAM-POST QUEST development module allows you to create dialog boxes that can be used in GENER to interactively query the NC programmer, during post-processing, for any required information. Creating a dialog is quite simple... Once the dialog is created, you can resize it and add "controls" such as check-boxes, radio buttons, drop down selections, [...]
For machines with right angle and other forms of exchangeable heads, it is recommended to define the head information using a TOOLNO post-processor command in the CL file (i.e., aptsource) or in the Machine:Startup macro of the post-processor. You can then simply use LOAD/HEAD,head_id to load the head, before using it. The TOOLNO command [...]
Workpiece compensation (e.g., G54, G55…) adjusts the axes of the CNC machine to account for the difference in workpiece origin between the as programmed origin in the CAM system and the as-setup origin at the CNC machine. Workpiece compensation provides the CNC operator flexibility in part setup, in much the same way as tool compensation [...]
CATIA uses a PPTable to create the aptsource file that is subsequently used as input to your post-processor. This PPTable defines post-processor commands for typical functions such as tool changes, speeds and feeds, coolant, canned cycles, and so on. Occasionally though, you may need to enter a post-processor command to produce special output or to [...]
