Month: July 2024

CNC Macro Programming

CNC Macro Programming

Category : Macro

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CNC Macro Programming an Introduction

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CNC Macro programming is sometimes thought of as a bit of a black art in CNC programming. 

CNC Macro Programming

Macro programming is sometimes known as parametric programming.

 It means you are controlling a program by external parameters.

Its Easy

In fact the use of macro programming in its simplest form is very easy and the rest is shrouded bullshit.
Macro programming uses the #(variable) sign to represent values.
Historically macro programming was used for things like bolt hole circles and cycles that machines didn’t have built in. Most modern controls have this kind of functionality as standard so you might think why would I need to learn macro programming.

CNC Macro Programming
 Good question. If you have a touch probe on your CNC machine you almost definitely will have the use of macro programming.
Oh by the way before you read anymore of this just check if you have macro programming on your machine as it is usually an option. I would hate you to read the whole of this very boring article only to find you can’t do any of the stuff I am talking about.

CNC Macro Programming
A bit like reading the manual for your car only to find you bought the one with the small engine and you can’t actually get from 0-60 in under 5 seconds.
You can use a variable to replace any number in a program and then define its value externally.

Here is an Example

The macro programming example shown is for drilling some holes. Initially just using a cycle to spot drill and then another cycle to drill.

This macro uses a sub program. The first time it’s called we want a depth of 5mm and a feed-rate of 100mm/min. The second time we want a depth of 15mm and a feed-rate 200mm/min.

#1 represents the depth
#2 represents the feed-rate

So you can see that in the sub-program the depth and the feed-rate are defined as variables. So, each time the sub-program is called it will look to see what is in variable 1 and variable 2

Here is the program as it would be normally
O0001(Macro Programming Demo)
G21 G90 G40
T01 M06 (20mm Spot Drill)
G90 G0 G54 X0 Y0 S2546 M3
G43 H01 Z15.0 M8
G81 G98 Z-5. R1.0 F100.
X25.
Y25.
X-25.
G80
G0 G53 Z0 M9
T02 M06 (16mm Drill)
G90 G0 G54 X0 Y0 S1000 M3
G43 H02 Z15.0 M8
G81 G98 Z-15. R1.0 F200.
X25.
Y25.
X-25.
G80
G0 G53 Z0 M9
M30

Here is the program as CNC Macro Programming 


O0001(Macro Programming Demo)
G21 G90 G40
T01 M06 (20mm Spot Drill)
G90 G0 G54 X0 Y0 S2546 M3
G43 H01 Z15.0 M8
#1=5.
#2=100.0
M98 P500(Call Programme 500)
G0 G53 Z0 M9
T02 M06 (16mm Drill)
G90 G0 G54 X0 Y0 S1000 M3
G43 H02 Z15.0 M8
#1=15.
#2=200.0
M98 P500(Call Programme 500)
G0 G53 Z0 M9
M30

O500(Sub Programme)
G81 G98 Z-#1 R1.0 F#2
X25.
Y25.
X-25.
G80
M99

Advantages

There are a lot of advantages to using a basic CNC Macro Programming.

1.When you prove it out the first time you know the positions will be correct for the second time.

2.Much less code.

3.You can change your mind without too much code alteration.

4.Sorry I can’t think of a number 4 but 3 advantages didn’t look enough.
Macro programming is sometimes known as parametric programming.


As you get more and more into macro programming you start to realise the massive potential it unlocks. You can interrogate the control for example:

What speed is the spindle running at?

What tool is in the spindle,?

What is the current position?

What are the winning numbers on tonight’s lottery?

You can carry out mathematical calculations with variables, adding, subtracting, simple trigonometry etc.

Taster

This is just to give you a taste of what macro programming can do. Try some of this out it’s very addictive. You will find you will get better and better at using it and I’m sure you will have loads of creative ideas as you unlock it’s supernatural powers.

It seems rather daunting at first that’s why I demonstrate a really simple example. It is best to start with small steps that you fully understand and gradually build on your skills.

Good luck.

Other Macro Information

Macro Training

Macro

More**Free**Macro**Stuff

Haas spindle warm up.

Mazak Spindle warm up.


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  • Any type of CNC course.

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Classroom programmer training.

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CNC Programming and Training on all controls and machines.

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CNC Machine Vice (Never Clock Again)

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Category : Useful Stuff

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This video explains how to set a CNC Machine Vice so that clocking is a thing of the past.

CNC Machine Vice

 

 

 

 

You all know this but I am going to tell you anyway. If you don’t then it’s OK to pretend you knew anyway.

It’s just a gentle reminder of what to do when work gets slack.

CNC Machine Vice

I want to make Clocking a CNC Machine Vice a thing of the past. At the risk of repeating myself (and I am allowed to at my age). At the CNC Training Centre we call it wasting time to save time. You could spend a day sorting some of this stuff out and the boss will be on your back saying “I need work out and you are playing around making tenons I can’t sell”

Firstly tell him to fuck off. Then explain that this will save you ten times whatever you spent on it and once it’s done, it’s done, no turning back.

By the way if he fires you for swearing at him then I agree. It’s not clever to swear.

But he is right about making the tenons for your CNC Machine Vice .

If you can buy them, then it really does work out cheaper. Like washing up liquid we all know the disaster and chaos that ensues when you buy a cheap brand washing up liquid.

Personally I use a dishwasher.

This is a true story, my mate Garry once threw all his dirty dishes in the dustbin because his dishwasher broke.

All you young people out there who wondered how we managed to fuck the planet for you. Well that’s how.

The irony is that now we blame you for not recycling your fuckin pot noodle containers.

The healthy alternative to Class A drugs

Does anyone know if you can recycle pot noodle containers?

 

The video demonstrates setting a CNC Machine Vice. How to use G10 to input the datum in the programme so that the vice can be easily positioned and re-positioned if you have to move it part way through production.

Setting The Vice, The Program

CNC Machine ViceIf you don’t know how to use G10 in a programme read this.

Basically what it means is instead of going to your work offset page and writing it in, you input your offset in the programme with this nifty G10.

CNC Machine Vice

When the programme runs it writes to the work offset page. Effectively your offset is now fixed in the programme. You could go and alter it on your offset page but as soon as you run the programme it will replace it.

It’s like pulling the hairs out of your nostrils they just keep growing back.

The vice is located on the machine table with tenons and tee nuts.

Here are load of them spinning around for your entertainment.

Clocking Machine Vice Clocking Machine Vice Clocking Machine Vice

Clocking Machine Vice Clocking Machine Vice Clocking Machine Vice

You can buy these in as standard items or you may have to make them. It’s probably best to write a CNC programme and cut them off a bar in programme that way you can make as many as you want. You may even want to harden them for a long life.

My mate sells em down the pub and makes a fortune, real entrepreneur.

Setting A Vice (It’s So Easy)

Once these are attached to your CNC Machine Vice the position of your vice, and therefore your fixed jaw, will never change so you can fix the datum in the programme.

So that’s Y taken care of.

Slide the vice up to a solid tool-holder of your choice. The tool-holder is sent to a known position and the datum in X can be a fixed position too.

You can use G53 to send the machine to this known position.

Clocking Machine Vice? No thanks.

Don’t use G53?

Sorry, if you really must clock the vice and get it within nanometres then go ahead and clock out those tiny bits, it will still move a small amount when struck with a blunt object.

Just One Other Thing

Notice a G90 at the beginning of the G10 line?

What’s that all about then?

You didn’t know? Shame on you.

Well….. If you programmed a G91 (Incremental) it would actually add that amount to your existing datum.

So just in case, it’s best to have it there. Mummy knows best.

Please contact me if you require:

  • Fanuc training.
  • CNC programming training.
  • Want to learn CNC programming.
  • Fanuc programming training.
  • Yasnac programming training.
  • Any type of CNC course.

Services offered at CNC Training Centre

Edgecam Training.

Classroom programmer training.

Onsite CNC Machine Training.

CNC Training on all controls and machines.

Mazak Training Fanuc Training

Don’t forget we offer training on all types of Mazak Machines and all Fanuc Controls 6m to 31i Oi old to young.

 

Use What You Have

Category : Useful Stuff

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Use What You Have

Use what you have, 10 years ago my big gripe with companies when I was looking at increasing productivity and improving production methods, was that there was little investment in new technologies.

I think that now things are a bit different, although there is still room for improvement.

Being the grumpy old, ageing, failed, rock star that I am, my moan now is that the technologies that people have invested in are not being used to the maximum capabilities.

These are some of my suggestions and your MD will love the fact that they all cost little or no money:

(1) Read the manuals on your CNC machine just the first few pages (not the boring health and safety shit, the next bit) bet you will learn something you didn’t know.Use What You Have

Maybe there are a few little gaps in your basic knowledge of CNC Programming?

(2) Now, about that probe in the carousel (covered in swarf and coolant) that no one knows how to use. Learn to use it. Come on there are loads of idiots like me posting free videos on this stuff. Once you use one I will guarantee you will never go back.

Use What You Have

(3) Use What You Have and check out the settings on your Haas machine (I can always get people excited about what these can do) look at the Haas tips n tricks page on their website (you will learn loads of stuff to impress your mates, not at the pub though please.

(4) Make sure you are using the latest version of Edgecam (or your chosen CAM system). Edgecam and all software is evolving rapidly and you’re really missing out. Oh and if you have a maintenance contract check it out there is all sorts of free stuff (like training and user meetings).

(5) Try to make a point of learning something new every day. (I am 86 and I still do) write them all in a book so you can look back.

Please let me know how this goes, enter your comments below.

Please contact me if you require:

  • Fanuc training.
  • CNC programming training.
  • Want to learn CNC programming.
  • Fanuc programming training.
  • Yasnac programming training.
  • Any type of CNC course.

Services offered at CNC Training Centre

Edgecam Training.

Classroom programmer training.

Onsite CNC Machine Training.

Onsite CNC Training on all controls and machines.

Call David : 07834 858 407

Mazak Training Fanuc Training

Don’t forget we offer training on all types of Mazak Machines and all Fanuc Controls 6m to 31i Oi old to young.

Onsite Training

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