2-Axis Program

[dsmithcmw]

We are a small machine shop in Columbus OH. We recently purchased Solidworks and CamWorks to help increase our CNC programming capability. We are in the process of buying a 4-Axis machining center, but in the meantime we also use Prototrak NCs with MX2 Controllers.

The mills are three axis but only X and Y are NC. The Z-axis is controlled manually by the operator. What we want to do is use CamWorks to write programs and exclude all z-moves. We have accomplished this once as a simple profile, but it was a little cumbersome. What I did was make the part only a 1/4 inch thick, and set my origin to the bottom of the part. For a simple profile this worked well, but if I added pocets and other features it could get out of control really easily. Essentially I had to trick the software.

Sice I am new to CamWorks (I have a 3-day training scheduled for next month) is there an easier way to do this?


David Smiith
Mechanical Designer
Columbus Machine Works
Columbus OH
614.409.0244

[vincent.pomerleau]

You have to modify your post processor to do this.Nothing in the software interface allow you to exclude de Z axis

[bsuchland]

David,

It is my understanding that now that you have completed CAMWorks training and have received a 2 axis post processor for these machines that this issue is resolved and is no longer a concern. Should you have any additional questions and concerns regarding this, please feel free to contact your CAMWorks reseller.

Regards,
CAMS CAMWorks Support Team


PS. We apologize for the delay in response to this forum posting, for we do not usually check 3rd part sites for technical support inquires.