TRICO MD-1200

[glenneaux]

Originally Posted by cpworkshop Hi Glenaux, Thanks for the reply. I too run an Australian Multicam from home as part of a weekend business. I have a full engineering workshop set up in my garage for one off prototypes. Where do you work? Are you in Melbourne? What type of parts do you produce? Do you personally run the multicams? What year are your machines? Sorry about all the questions but its great to hear from somebody who has the same machines as me since there is not a lot of information on the web about them. What diameter cutter are you using for aluminuim? What feedrate for that cutter. I haven't got or fitted the Trico unit yet as it's still coming from the U.S. In future would you mind if I picked your brains with any questions with the Multicams? Thanks very much, Regards, Chris

Hello there Chris,

"Full engineering workshop" is intriguing! I work at a company on pier 35 (port melbourne)(not boeing) and we make aeroplane parts on our routers. Yes, I do run our machines, i run the 3 multicams and our techni waterjet. I'm also in charge of all the programming on them.

In regards to cutters/feedrates im actually in the dark a bit. We just run what was historically run so we're actually a bit behind in those areas.

Most of the parts we did for hawker de haviland had 3/32" (2.4mm) pilots so the parts were generally cut with 2.4mm cutters at 400/500mm/min. The parts were in thicknesses ranging from .020" to .080", some even at .125" etc.

Our machines range from relatively new (not the current generation mind you), 5meters long, twin head with quick tool changers (not automatic) with the tooltip sensor. Our oldest machine is the older generation again.

We're programming with multicams software but that means we have to program to suit the oldest machine which means we miss out on a lot of nice things. we're soon going to be getting MasterCAM which will let us do some nice things and really good nesting.

[cpworkshop]

Hi Glenaux,
How do you find the multicam toolpath software? I find it good and easy to use but very lacking in 3D viewing etc. I have a copy of mastercam X10 (for evaluation purposes) but found this very difficult to use. I use autocad now and are trying to learn solidworks. I found a great program on the web called cut3D. It is so easy to use and has all the post processors avaliable (even Axyz post processor). I plan to buy it along with Ccarvepro which is made by the same company. Occasionally I get some weird stuff happening with my router when it just decides to drive the tool into the table, even after doing a funtion 4 lift bottom and top and setting z zero.
Cheers,
Chris

[glenneaux]

Originally Posted by cpworkshop Hi Glenaux, How do you find the multicam toolpath software? I find it good and easy to use but very lacking in 3D viewing etc. I have a copy of mastercam X10 (for evaluation purposes) but found this very difficult to use. I use autocad now and are trying to learn solidworks. I found a great program on the web called cut3D. It is so easy to use and has all the post processors avaliable (even Axyz post processor). I plan to buy it along with Ccarvepro which is made by the same company. Occasionally I get some weird stuff happening with my router when it just decides to drive the tool into the table, even after doing a funtion 4 lift bottom and top and setting z zero. Cheers, Chris

Just a quick response,

this is something i just modelled in catia, programmed in mastercam and cut on our multicam



Press tool for that aluminium part... I have no actual training in catia, and no training in mastercam, just playing with it.

I'm sure the accuracy isnt really up there with our multicam but good enough for this job

[cpworkshop]

Hi Glenaux,
Hey, that little job was great. I have a question that you may be able to answer. The trico system I purchased is the one that has solenoid on/off. How do I switch this on and off with the multicam software?
Thanks,
Chris

[glenneaux]

Originally Posted by cpworkshop Hi Glenaux, Hey, that little job was great. I have a question that you may be able to answer. The trico system I purchased is the one that has solenoid on/off. How do I switch this on and off with the multicam software? Thanks, Chris

Hi there again Chris,

First off, where are you located??

2nd, our trico setups are wired up to our machines, we have 3 way switch on the side of the machine for on/off/auto.

due to the simplicity of these machines/the controller you dont actually program the coolant to turn on or off. When these machines do a G1 I believe they turn the coolant on.

ie our programming knows nothing about coolant, when you run it you just put it on auto and it'll have the coolant on when it descends down to the material, plunges and cuts.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

[cpworkshop]

I am located in Rowville. Not being a programmer I assum a G1 is the material surface? My machine already has the air output and power etc to take a trico unit or similar. Once istalled I will see how it goes.
Thanks
Chris

[glenneaux]

Originally Posted by cpworkshop I am located in Rowville. Not being a programmer I assum a G1 is the material surface? My machine already has the air output and power etc to take a trico unit or similar. Once istalled I will see how it goes. Thanks Chris

Our Trico unit and Unist systems only run on air, it has a solenoid internally somewhere it switches on/off.

G1 = feeding, as opposed to rapid move

[cpworkshop]

Originally Posted by glenneaux Our Trico unit and Unist systems only run on air, it has a solenoid internally somewhere it switches on/off. G1 = feeding, as opposed to rapid move

Ok, thanks. I will let you know the outcome.

Cheers,
Chris