Need Help!- using variables and subprograms to drill in 4th axis

[ggamalski]

Fadal 40/20 w/mp32 multi control
Tecnara 4th axis
Format 1
Mastercam V9.sp2


I need to write a program that would have operator-defined variables. The parts are cylinders of various diameters and lengths having holes drilled in a grid around then periphery. Rows of holes will be staggered/shifted from each other. Number of holes in each row will vary for 5-20 holes, based on workpiece diameter, as will the depth of the holes, distance between the holes and the numbers of rows. Larger diameter = more holes per row and more rows per part. Some larger parts may have 5000-8000 holes. Y-axis value will always be Y0.00

I.e.;
A pattern like this around the part

. . . . . . . .
_. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
_. . . . . . . .


I'm thinking the operator would have to input the following:

1. Diameter of part (?)
2. X-axis location of first hole
3. Number of holes per row
4. Distance between holes (in x) in row
5. Number of equally spaced rows and/or angular distance between rows.
6. Stagger/shift amount (in x) between alternating rows
7. Depth of hole

Ideally I would like to make only one lap around the part but, will do 2 laps if I need to in order to accommodate the stagger/shift of the rows.

Hopefully, I can do it using variables and subprograms and the program would be very short. I'm fairly adept at using the subprogram (i.e.; L101) features, however I have never written using variables. If I can do it in Mastercam that’s fine but would like to be able to re-write programs fast, as needed.

Any help is appreciated.

[Scanfab]

Hello, I have made programs like you need with stagger. 960 holes last time.

My program did not use variables, just subprograms like this:

L100
G91X10.L19(DOES TOTAL OF 20 HOLES 10MM APART)
A10.L0
X5.
X-10.L19
A10L0
X-5.
M17
M30
T1M6
G0G90G54X0Y0S3000M3
G43Z10.H1(YEP, 10 MM'S!)(FRIENDS CALL ME METRICMAN)
Z2
G81Z-1.R1.F100
L118(WILL DO 18 SETS OF STAGGERED ROWS, 36 AROUND PART)
G80M5
G090G49E48Y0Z0A0
M30

It's late, program prob has typo mistakes, sorry.
Try that, just changing those G91 X10.(10mm shift between holes and L for amount of holes in row -1 of course, first positioning drill first:20 holes = L19)

[ggamalski]

You sure simplified that for me. Thanks

[Scanfab]

No problem, I only program at the machine by hand so my inherent lazyness has driven me over the years to utelize the L101 subprograms. Just have a cheat sheet next to the machine to say which row ie. N30 Xvalue is distance between holes ect. The main program will always stay the same if using 1/2 pitch stagger and even amount of rows. Also instead of using for repeating

L118 (18 times subprogram, 36 drilled rows)
try:
L101
M1
L117

Then you can check after first set of rows to see if ok and can for example continue (Auto, option 3) from middle of program(after first row) to do last 17 rows.

Subprograms like that will also work with multiple tools, countersink, drill, reamer, tap just using tool calls and hitting L118 after each.

Happy drilling!!