Quick programming question

[mhackney]

I know this is a bit off topic but the folks here are the best

I use CamBam and Mach 3. I need to ramp up production a bit and decrease machining time and setup time as much as possible. I could save quite a bit of time just having the machine (currently an X2 maybe someday when my order arrives a G0704), move out of the way once a part is cut so I can remove it and insert material for the next part. Currently CamBam just leaves the mill at the finish spot. What I want to do is move to an X, Y & Z that lets me access the fixture clamps.

So the question is, how would most people do this? I can easily add the code to the GCode output by CamBam. Or is there something I can do in CamBam to set this up so I don't have to edit if I need to change the program?

thanks in advance,
Michael

[pete from TN]

I am just starting with Cambam so I am not sure about it just yet but I mostly use sheetcam for my stuff and I have it configured like you are talking about. Basically when the machine finishes the last line of actual code there is a spindle stop command, then I have the parking position or toolchange position setup which is basically to raise the head four inches positive and stop. There are also X and Y options that you can setup in the machine parameters section. I would be surprised if Cambam does not have this same feature. As I said in Sheetcam it is called parking and or toolchange position. It adds that bit of code automatically to every file. Just gotta make sure you do not add a lot of distance because if you are cutting a large part at the extremes of your travel you can run into a limit if you are not careful. Sheetcam has a section about machine envelope, material envelope, and part envelope that you can set for your particular travels and whatnot. This has been very useful. I am no expert but sheetcam makes even me look pretty good. I am quite sure Cambam has some similar setup. Peace

Pete

[Hans_G]

In CamBam you can modify your post processor to send it to a specific location at the end of a program. Either G0 X Y Z or use G28/G30 to move to stored positions.

Or you can use the CustomMOPFooter to send it to a location after a MOP is complete

I know that isn't an exhaustive How-To, but hopefully enough to get you started with the help files and/or searching on the CamBam site.

[Starleper1]

Under homing/limits there is a G28 with dialog boxes for each axis. These work from the machine coordinates. Just enter the desired value in the X,Y,Z boxes and then add a G28 to the end of the program before the M30.

It raises the Z first and then moves the X&Y simultaneously to the position you put in those boxes. Of course this method does require homing switches.

[mwood3]

Under homing/limits there is a G28 with dialog boxes for each axis. These work from the machine coordinates. Just enter the desired value in the X,Y,Z boxes and then add a G28 to the end of the program before the M30.

It raises the Z first and then moves the X&Y simultaneously to the position you put in those boxes. Of course this method does require homing switches.

It will still work without switches...I have been using it that way with good results...just enter the G28 at the end and make sure you have the home locations set

[Starleper1]

That's true it would work.

[mwood3]

That's true it would work.

all that being said, I do belive home/limit switches would make the whole process more accurate/more repeatable...

has anyone made any home switch mounts for the G0704 yet? Id bet more than a few could benefit from some examples or prints even. I have a set of the cheap switches from keling...gonna try those first but was really thinking of going to prox switches or opticals...

[mhackney]

Thanks guys. I do not have home or limit switches (yet). I mostly work in the central volume of my mill - 4 x 4 x 2" so I never really set them up. It probably makes sense to do that though. But knowing about the post processing option in CamBam helped too.

regards,
Michael