BCC and "gear change commands -M-"

[tubeguy]

Hello all: Im sure a few of you guys have tackled this issue that Im facing. Im not quite sure how to implement or select when BCC post should engage low gear on my mill. M41 low M42 high, the tech thats helping on the post thinks I should just keep it in default M42 high range and do a manual insert when needed for tapping reaming functions etc. Well thats OK to get going for now but I would like it as complete as possible and to get it right.

How have you guys handled this?

[SBC Cycle]

I've done something similar to force my machine into high gear. It changes by default into high gear at 2500 RPM.

I had to script it but I don't recall it being difficult. Can you zip up your post processor and upload it. I'll give it a shot if you have a couple days.

[The Engine Guy]

Hello all: Im sure a few of you guys have tackled this issue that Im facing. Im not quite sure how to implement or select when BCC post should engage low gear on my mill. M41 low M42 high, the tech thats helping on the post thinks I should just keep it in default M42 high range and do a manual insert when needed for tapping reaming functions etc. Well thats OK to get going for now but I would like it as complete as possible and to get it right.

How have you guys handled this?

If you know the correct spindle speed at your machine for Low/High Ranges or it is what ever you can set then you may be able to do it this way.

Go to line 431 in your post processor, should look like this :-

431. Spindle speed for high rangle? 1500

As you can see (Don`t worry about the "typo" there, it still works ) I have it set to 1500rpm, this means that any speed set at your tool that is below 1500rpm the Post will output "M41" LOW RANGE SPINDLE in your code, choosing any spindle speed above the set 1500rpm and the post will output "M42" HIGH RANGE SPINDLE.
all you need to do is insert this command

spindle_range

in your post on the same line as and directly after your "spindle_on",s

Here is a small sample of code I generated using this method:-

G90G80G40G21G17

(JOB 1 CONTOUR)
(FEATURE PROFILE)

N01T01M06
N02G00G90G54X-25.Y34.1S1000M03M41(LOW RANGE SPINDLE)
N03 G43H01Z2.M08
N04G01Z-1.25F203.2
N67M05
N68G49
N69G91G28Z0.
N70G91G28Y0.
(END OF FILE)
(END OF PROGRAM)

you will need to also insert in you tool change area of your post, again directly after the spindle speed and on commands, that should automatically put you in the correct Range M41/M42 whenever you choose spindle speeds at your tools that are above or below the rpm you have set on line 431 in your post.

Hope that works for you


Regards
Rob

[SBC Cycle]

Good call Rob. I forgot about those commands. If he can make that work it would be a lot cleaner.

[tubeguy]

Thanks for the info guys, I havent got the re fixed post back yet as there are some other issues. When I do I will try it or at least recommend it to the tech.(you would think they would be able to figure it out without resorting to a plain default) If it gets fouled up maybe I can post it and you guys could poke at it.. I love the idea of haveing a range select without having to hand insert it, thats the way it should be.

Thanks again SBC and EG