I have searched the site for about 2 hours now and came up empty. Is there any source for the MC post code that explains what the symbols are and what they do?

I am an experienced cnc machinist that has switched to programing and I am running MasterCam X. I have a working post but I want to improve certain areas.

Examples I need help with,

1) how do I have the post add two number together, one is a variable and the other is fixed.

suotz = sthick + .750 #Adds table to part thickness

2) what are the different Format Statement numbers?

Thanks.

Steve

Steve,
Go to computer where mastercam is installed, programs, mastercam x, documentation, post paramater reference. Might be something there to help you. If this is not available, email me and I'll send you this pdf file.

Tom

Thanks Tom

I found that 400+ page document. This will be a big help. Now I have something to do today.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

I am new to MasterCam and am still feeling my way around.

Steve

svx-ff,

Why do you need to add numbers in the post?
What does the output acutally do for you?

Mike Mattera

Steve,

Try going to Emastercam.com, there is a forum for post questions and also other forums that are to help people with mastercam

Rob

Robert Timby,

We do help people here also. If you read this post, this guy is getting the help he's looking for.

Welcome to the forum.

Mike Mattera

svx-ff,

Why do you need to add numbers in the post?
What does the output acutally do for you?

Mike Mattera


Hey Matt, Thanks for responding.

Little background:
I am using a CMS Router to cut wood products. Out tables are vacuum tables with a hard Italian wood base followed by a "soft" MDF layer that is cut into.

I would like to add numbers in my post to help eliminate a step. All of our tools are touched off of the hard table. During the post I am asked "
ENTER UOT Z DISTANCE" This is the distance from the hard table to the top of the material. The soft table, for my programing state, is always .750.

I also enter in the material thickness using the "q" command in the post. I would like to add the material thickness to the .750 (constant) to equal my "ZUOT".

It is no big deal but it would be nice to have. I hope this helps answer you question.

Steve

So is this added to all the Z values?

Or are we just passing a value to a variable that gets used in the control?

You could enter this value in Mastercam.
You could have it prompt for the value when you post.

Mike Mattera

The ZUOT is the same as a G54 Z. It sets the work coordinate Z.

I have the material height a prompt and the ZUOT a prompt too. I would like to only enter the material height and have the post add the material height to a constant value. The sum of this would be the ZUOT.

example:
ZUOT = "material Height" + .750

Can this be done?

Steve

Yes it can be done.
It would be a PITA to add a +.750 value to every instance of a Z value output.
I have never tried to do what you want, but, if you attach a copy of your post file I would be happy to give it a try.
I think it would be easier to move your model so the BOTTOM is Z+.750
That way you would not need the prompts, unless, of course, your stock thickness varies substantially.

P.S. PITA = Pain In The A**

ObrienDave

I only need to add the .750 to one line of code not all the Z's. The ZUOT is a work coordinate at the beginning of the program to tell the controller were the top of my part is. My material does vary but not to bad. I would like the post to prompt me for material thickness and then add the .750 to it. The sum would be the ZUOT value.
Basically I need to add a prompt value to a fixed value.

Steve

OK Steve,

I think I understand what you need.
I will need a copy of your .pst file to attempt the changes.
Attach a ZIP file to a message and post it here.

I'm sure other people will have different ways to do the same thing.
It's good to see different styles of fixes so you can get a feel for making your own.

OK I am an idiot. Were do I place the file so that you can download it?

I could not find the download section.

Steve

At the bottom of THIS page, you will see a button that says "Go Advanced".
Towards the bottom of the next page you will see another button that says "Manage Attachments".
At the top of the NEW window You will see 6 buttons that say "Browse".
Find the ZIP file just like any file requester window.
When done hit the "Upload" button.
That is how you attach files to THESE messages.

Thanks ObrienDave,

I have zipped the .pst file

Steve

Ok Steve, got it.
I can't promise a fix real quick, but, I'll try.

Steve,
Could you post a small program and show me EXACTLY where and how you want the output code to read?
Thanx!

ObrienDave,

Here is the post.

Thanks for all your help.

Steve

Steve,
I have not forgotten you.
I have it working for the most part but, I can't get it to NOT output the new variable name.

;(P/N DAVID02 )
;(DATE - 20-01-07 TIME - 06:51 )
;(PROGRAMER - DAVE )
;(MATERIAL TYPE - ABS )
;(MATERIAL THICKNESS - thick .625 )
;(NOTE - TEST )
G00G79Z0
G16XY
(UOT,3,X-3,Y3,Z zthick 1.375 )
G79G00Z0
T7 M06;( 5/8 EMRFP )
G0 G90 X0. Y0. S0855 M3
h7
Z3.
X-2.75 Y-5.125
Z.1
G1 Z-.3 F4.28
Y-5.1625
G3 Y-5.0875 R.0375
G1 X-3.5
G3 Y-5.1625 R.0375
G1 X-2.75
G0 Z.1
X.85 Y-4.5
G1 Z-.3 F4.28
X1.1625
G3 X-1.1625 R1.1625
X1.1625 R1.1625
G0 Z.1
X3.5 Y-5.125
G1 Z-.3 F4.28
Y-5.1625
G3 Y-5.0875 R.0375
G1 X2.75
G3 Y-5.1625 R.0375
G1 X3.5
G0 Z3.
G00
h0
G79G00Z0
M05S0
G79G00X0Y0
M30

Still trying.
Dave

ObrienDave

I greatly appreciate you hard work. I am not in a hurry for it and it looks like you are were I got to on Friday. I have not tried anything more.

Steve

Got it!
That was fun!.
Please check out the code below and if you like it, I will post your post file here.

There are a couple of things I don't like in the posted code.
I'll point them out.
I can fix them before sending you the modified post.

;(P/N DAVID02 )
;(DATE - 27-01-07 TIME - 05:51 )
;(PROGRAMER - DAVE )
;(MATERIAL TYPE - 4130 )
;(MATERIAL THICKNESS - .625 )
;(NOTE - TEST002 )
G00G79Z0
G16XY <=========== I don't understand this line.
(UOT,3,X-3,Y3,Z1.375 )
G79G00Z0
T1 M06;( 1/2 SPOTDRILL )
G0 G90 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 S0534 M3
h1 <===============Is the lowercase h ok?
Z3.
Z.1
G99 G81 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 Z-.075 R.1 F2.14
X-1.2374
X-1.75 Y0.
X-1.2374 Y1.2374
X1.2374
X.625 Y0. Z-.25
G80
G0 Z3.
G00
h0 <===============Is the lowercase h ok?
GG79Z <=========== I don't understand the double G or the Z without a value.
M5S <============= I don't understand the S without a value.
T2 M6;( #7 DRILL )
;
G0 G90 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 S1330 M3
h2
Z3.
Z.1
G99 G81 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 Z-.35 R.1 F4.26
X-1.2374
X-1.75 Y0.
X-1.2374 Y1.2374
X1.2374
G80
G0 Z3.
G00
h0
GG79Z
M5S
T6 M6;( 5/8 DRILL )
;
G0 G90 X.625 Y0. S0427 M3
h6
Z3.
G98 G81 X.625 Y0. Z-.5625 R.1 F4.27
G80
G00
h0
GG79Z
M5S
T7 M6;( 5/8 EMRFP )
;
G0 G90 X.625 Y0. S0855 M3
h7
Z.1
G1 Z-.3 F4.28
X.9135
G3 X-.9135 R.9135
X.9135 R.9135
G0 Z3.
G00
h0
GG79Z
M5S
T8 M6;( 1/2 EMRC )
;
G0 G90 X.8703 Y0. S2674 M3
h8
Z3.
Z.1
G1 Z-.3 F26.74
G41
X.9056 Y-.0354
G3 X.991 Y0. R.0501
X-.991 R.991
X.991 R.991
X.9056 Y.0354 R.05
G40
G1 X.8703 Y0.
G0 Z.1
X.8753
G1 Z-.3 F26.74
G41
X.9106 Y-.0354
G3 X.996 Y0. R.0501
X-.996 R.996
X.996 R.996
X.9106 Y.0354 R.05
G40
G1 X.8753 Y0.
G41
X.9106 Y-.0354
G3 X.996 Y0. R.0501
X-.996 R.996
X.996 R.996
X.9106 Y.0354 R.05
G40
G1 X.8753 Y0.
G0 Z3.
G00
h0
G79G00Z0
M05S0
G79G00X0Y0
M30

The machine that I program for is a CMS router. The controller is a 10 series Allen Bradley. Good controllers but have strange codes. I answered you questions.

;(P/N DAVID02 )
;(DATE - 27-01-07 TIME - 05:51 )
;(PROGRAMER - DAVE )
;(MATERIAL TYPE - 4130 )
;(MATERIAL THICKNESS - .625 )
;(NOTE - TEST002 )
G00G79Z0
G16XY <=========== I don't understand this line.(Needed to set the correct table)
(UOT,3,X-3,Y3,Z1.375 )
G79G00Z0
T1 M06;( 1/2 SPOTDRILL )
G0 G90 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 S0534 M3
h1 <===============Is the lowercase h ok? (Must be lower case. h value is both tool height and diam.)
Z3.
Z.1
G99 G81 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 Z-.075 R.1 F2.14
X-1.2374
X-1.75 Y0.
X-1.2374 Y1.2374
X1.2374
X.625 Y0. Z-.25
G80
G0 Z3.
G00
h0 <===============Is the lowercase h ok? (Tool height and diam.)
GG79Z <=========== I don't understand the double G or the Z without a value. (neither do I but it works :))
M5S <============= I don't understand the S without a value. (This stops the spindle. S without a value = 0 rpm's)
T2 M6;( #7 DRILL )
;
G0 G90 X1.2374 Y-1.2374 S1330 M3
h2
Z3.
.....

Thank for the help. Do you have a private e-mail that i can talk to you on?

Steve

Ok then, since you are happy, I'm happy.
Your welcome in advance ;)

I just finished adding the post to my controller and no problems.

Thanks again for you help.

I am not much of a cnc program but if you need anything on the pc side let me know.

Steve

No prob.
Glad it works for you.