Haas VF6 Macro Programming

[warhippie]

Hello all,
I'm new here and am eager to get started. First off I am a 47 year old Journeyman machinist who just rececntly started into the whole cnc programming world. We have a 2007 Haas VF6 and are in the proces of recieving 3 Haas TM3's. I'm wanting to make full use of the memory in these machines so I'm wanting to learn about and use the Macros to fullfill that. How do you access the macros on my controler(VF6)? Also how do you go about giving each macro a variable? In order not to get to much information all at once and overwhelm myself I'll stop here for now.

Thanks

[Geof]

I wonder how many people will disagree with me on this.

To answer the question about accessing macros on Haas machines. You pay around $2000 to get an access code that is entered into the Parameters.

And why do I say probably not worth the time and effort?

Your Haas machines will have at least 1 meg of memory. This is oodles more than in the old days when writing macros was almost essential because machine memory was so limited. So it is not worth learning to write macros to save on memory.

Haas machines have all the standard canned cycles, drilling, boring, tapping and some that are not so standard such as drilling on a bolt circle, drilling around an arc and drilling along an angle. They also have pocketing routines where you just define the perimeter of the pocket and the machine figures out how to chew everything out with that region. These are essentially pre-written macros that come included with the basic machine. So it is not worth learning macros to do this sort of thing.

Haas machines have very powerful subroutine capabilities and subroutines can be nested very deep allowing may things to be done that may need macros if these subroutine capabilities did not exist.

If you are not already fully up to speed on writing standard hand coded programs for simple parts you need to spend your time becoming fully proficient in this before even thinking about macros.

If you are up to speed on hand coding and can write programs for complex parts that are hand codeable you need to spend your time becoming proficient in CAD/CAM.

Once you are proficient with CAD/CAM macros are not really applicable and you have to become proficient in CAD/CAM if you want to have a future in CNC machining.

And I haven't even mentioned the Haas editor which makes it so simple to copy and modify programs that you don't need 'family of parts' macros. You simply copy and edit the base program to create a family of related programs. And store them on usb memory sticks away from the machine.

[warhippie]

Geof, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns I really do But I realy need to learn how to access and program using macros. Hand writing isn't realy all that hard but macros would make it possible for me to have the machine do multiple functions at the same time and that is what I am needing out of our machines. I am going to be installing a punching program and tooling that will punch out rivets (with a delay) at the same time the machine is drilling out the heads. Macros will alow me to write these types of programs and make more use out of our machines inorder to stay ahead of our competition in the aerospace industry.

[mariojl]

I more that agree with Geof, I've been a machinist for 40 years, and owned a tool and die shop for 35, with 4 Haas Vmc's in it; and a SURFCAM dealer for the past 20 y. I believe you must re-think your career; if you want to compite in the CNC world you must became an CAD/CAM expert, no doubt about it.
You may start with a 2D module, that will let you create most of the parts you'll need.
Mario

[dertsap]

the use of macro variables are very efficient if used properly .
a simple peck tapping cycle can be created with the use of one simple variable and a looping sub routine , its dead simple to chance the peck depth with the variable and the desired depth with the number of loops
eg; to peck tap to -.5

g0g90x0y0
blah
blah
#101=0
m97p1000L5
g0x2y2
#101=0
m97p1000

N1000
#101=#101-.1
g98g84z#101r.1F??
g80
m99

Macro variables also allow for one simple x0y0z0 work shift to be picked up on a rotary , lets say x0y0z0 is picked up at A0. , with a couple variables at the program header which contain the distance of the part zero points to the center of rotation , then a simple sub routine can trig out that point to any rotated position , and a g52 shift can be calculated and implemented . Because haas allows for custom g codes then the sub can be replaced with a simple g code at each rotation and will reduce editing
So now with the cam , the part only needs to be rotated at the part zero points and toolpaths generated and then a few simple edits at each rotation are needed . The time saving is in only needing to pick up one work shift , otherwise if there are many different angles being cut then there can be a lot of work shifts to pick up and there is large room for operator error . Now if a guy knows the distance from the center of rotation that the part is sitting then all of this can easily be done in the cam system , but most times this is not the case and if the part is off a bit from the center of rotation then the program needs to be redone on the cam system .
A few simple variables and a few calculations are very beneficial on complicated rotary jobs . The argument that can be made against this is that a cam program shouldn't need to be edited , and editing takes time and leaves room for error , but so does setting up a job with multiple work shifts

these are only a couple of examples of how beneficial macro variables can be done . I've got other uses for them that save me loads of time ,but the use of variables in rotary programs has proven to me over and over again to be one the the most valuable

[exhaustgases]

I wonder if Geof could explain how to create a tool setter program, and or program a probe with a CAD system? If the CAD will do that then I guess he be right, there is no need for macro's.
Anyone that says macro's and the variable system is not needed, has very limited knowledge of what and how it is all used. And has not dealt with castings and 4 axis horizontal machining centers, much either.

[txcncman]

I wonder if Geof could explain how to create a tool setter program, and or program a probe with a CAD system? If the CAD will do that then I guess he be right, there is no need for macro's.
Anyone that says macro's and the variable system is not needed, has very limited knowledge of what and how it is all used. And has not dealt with castings and 4 axis horizontal machining centers, much either.

Wow. You really want to revive a thread from last December? I do not think Geof said there was no need for macros. You might want to re-read the entire thread. What the original poster wanted to do could be accomplished with sub programs easily enough. Maybe what the original poster meant to inquire about was the macro language itself. Since he is an admitted novice, maybe you would better serve him by offering the requested information. So, going back to that, how do you access the macros on a Haas VF6? (Assuming the original poster meant how to access the existing macros.) And, how do you go about giving each macro a variable? (This last question is very freshman in nature.)

[exhaustgases]

Not looking at dates. I'm just responding to a bit of illogic, that always gets me a bit excited. It was someone basicly saying macros are a joke and not worth the time and effort.

[Geof]

Not looking at dates. I'm just responding to a bit of illogic, that always gets me a bit excited. It was someone basicly saying macros are a joke and not worth the time and effort.

You might be worth listening to if you read all the words someone wrote and did not insert your own.

I did not say "macros are a joke" and I said "probably" not worth the time and effort. Other posters, constructively, pointed out circumstances in which the time and effort to learn macros is justified.