How did you learn Parametric Programming?

[MaCroB]

I'm just curious, how did everyone here learn macro programming?

Myself; I read a couple of books, spent a few weeks writing and testing programs...Now, it's no different to me than G-Coding...

[stevo1]

About 15yrs ago we started a new depatment. A branch off of our main business. I was there from the ground up. I was just a mahcine operator but the people setting up the department were some of the smartest guys I have ever seen. We got to work through and were taught to understand the logic of macros. These were guys that wrote there college thesis's on machine tool programming and had doctorates in mathematics. I just studied code and learned the tricks. Because they had such machine knowledge a lot of what I learned about what you can do to the machines you can never find in a book. I eventually took over as the ME in the area.

It sounds sick but thats were I get my jollys. Probing macros are the most intense that I like to write. So involved and crazy a## calculations. I even get as anal as to find ways to shorten my macros even if they have been proven and running. This type of programming is the most effective. However it is also the most under used form.

Stevo

[neilw20]

You can even write a program to 'design' an airplane propeller.
Just feed in the diameter, pitch, chord and clock diameter and it is a wonderful use for an underutilized CNC between jobs.
Good use for the trig and other functions.
Just clamp down a piece of wood. Insert ball nose cutter and have lunch.
Insert clock in the hub after varnishing or french polish.
Hang on the wall with the rest of them.
Cleaning up is the hardest bit, but once you can't see the raw material the dust stops flying.
Just suck it all up at the end of the job.

[g-codeguy]

Learned originally from the Fanuc manual. Recently purchased Peter Smid's book. Learned a few more tricks from it. One thing I probably never would have thought about was including code to make sure code is within a certain range, or that it is even included in the G65 macro call.

I am like stevo1 in that I really love this type of programming. Only wish I programmed for more than lathes so I could use it more often. I also envy him his roots in learning. From what I've seen so far, I think a person's imagination is the limiting factor in what can be done.

Of course, I'm sure the company wouldn't appreciate the time needed to write one that wasn't used very often.

One important limiting factor is the operators you have. They have to be a bit more knowledgable. I use macros to help eliminate some of my involvement in the simple things...and to eliminate writing more programs. One of the easiest for the operator is running different size material for the same job. Operator changes one variable to the stock size, and the program figures new DOC and a possible feedrate change. Doesn't matter how many sizes he may use to finish the job. One program instead of 4 or 5 as I use to have to make.

Unfortunately I have to be very careful in how complicated the macro programs are, or I am out there making the necessary changes anyway, tho it is still quicker than a new program.

It all goes back to that old bug-a-boo of not having decently qualified operators. Even those who take pride in their work seldom have a sufficient understanding of machinging to be making many decisions on what to change the variables to once you get past the simple things like stock size, drill type or size, etc.

[MaCroB]

Originally Posted by g-codeguy One important limiting factor is the operators you have. They have to be a bit more knowledgable. I use macros to help eliminate some of my involvement in the simple things...and to eliminate writing more programs. One of the easiest for the operator is running different size material for the same job. Operator changes one variable to the stock size, and the program figures new DOC and a possible feedrate change. Doesn't matter how many sizes he may use to finish the job. One program instead of 4 or 5 as I use to have to make.

I know where you are coming from...Out of a shop of 8 machinists that I supervise (along with 6 grinders and 5 welders), I'm the only guy who knows anything! Everyone else is basically operator only level. I created setup sheets and wrote in directions for setting the job up, including steps showing how to get to the variables page and how to change the right variable. Seems to work well, with only a little instruction on my part. Most of our jobs are production, dedicated work. Any setups are merely a program change only (now, just a macro switch...).

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by MaCroB I know where you are coming from...Out of a shop of 8 machinists that I supervise (along with 6 grinders and 5 welders), I'm the only guy who knows anything! Everyone else is basically operator only level. I created setup sheets and wrote in directions for setting the job up, including steps showing how to get to the variables page and how to change the right variable. Seems to work well, with only a little instruction on my part. Most of our jobs are production, dedicated work. Any setups are merely a program change only (now, just a macro switch...).

Not quite that bad here. Two of us programming (& helping with setups) for 29 CNC lathes. Only one foreman left over from days gone by. He turned 65 last month, & may retire anytime the mood hits. One very good set-up/operator for the 3 Hardinge EMAGS. One new guy who looks like he is also going to be a good setup/operator, but never used macros before.

One very conscientious setup/operator, but doesn't really understand machining very well & doubtful he ever will, but definitely a good worker who takes pride in his work. Because of the 3 machines he sets up and operates, he gets to use all of my macro routines. I help him quite often. The macro subroutine for roughing is actually a help to him, because although he can't grasp the concept of what to change when SFM is used, he can grasp the fact that "M" controls the maximum RPM. Nice guy who really tries hard, just won't ever be a good machinist. I like him a lot. You don't mind a little extra work for someone like him.

Two guys with almost 40 years, but don't let that fool you. I knew more after 3 months than the one does now. Absolutely cannot turn the insert lock pin in the correct direction on the rough turning tool even tho the bottom is face up and has an arrow on it. Should replace the LP holder with a KL one so he couldn't possibly turn it the wrong way! It is a left hand one in a head-on station always in the machine. The other can set-up alright, but doesn't understand machining nearly as well as he should with 39 years in. Doesn't understand macros, and doesn't want to.

One of the other operators doesn't know which insert to change when you tell him to replace the threading insert...and there is only one being used. English isn't very good either, tho better than his wife's from what I can tell, and she has been in this country longer.

Some I have to make offset changes for.

I have some master programs for a family of studs we make for a sister company. I put a drawing on the machine that runs them showing exactly what each macro controls. This even tho everything is explained in the program header...but first you have to be able to read English. In this case a picture is definitely worth a thousand words.

But do I like my job? Maybe a surprise, but yeah, I do. Occasionally get feed up with babysitting, but what can you do? Keep plugging away, that's all.

[ZenOrbit]

Man, I wish my company could see the value of macros.
We've only got Haas machines, and they don't want to shell out the dough to buy the option.

I learned macro programming from manuals, and experimentation.

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by ZenOrbit Man, I wish my company could see the value of macros. We've only got Haas machines, and they don't want to shell out the dough to buy the option. I learned macro programming from manuals, and experimentation.

That's how I learned them. Macro programming is fun, huh! Does your company produce any family of parts? This is an excellent use of macros. We produce studs for a sister company ranging from 10-32 to 1/2-20 UNJF-3A size. I have master programs for each size. (I also have other master programs.)

I did part-time work for another company. They were looking to bid on a family of parts. I wrote a master program for the parts, and cut air on a few different sizes so I could give the owner an accurate cycle time for bidding purposes.

Are you always switching types of drills on jobs? We have a limited number of insert drills and spade drills. Program may be for an insert drill, but that drill (or drills) is (are) being used. I wrote a little subroutine to run any type of drill we might have. Saves a lot of work for me, and the operators seem to be pleased with it.

I haven't gotten as involved with macros as I'd like, because (as I previously stated) they can require a bit more knowledge from the operators.

Do you make multiple parts per barfeed? We run a lot of washers. Usually make 5 per barfeed. Say I program the job for .079 c-o, but the operator has a .094 c-o already set up, and doesn't want to change it. I almost always accommodate him, but it requires me to re-figure the workshift, drill depth, rough turn depth, rough bore depth (if being used), c-o position, and amount of incremental shift. Make the c-o insert width a variable that the operator has to change when he sets up. Voila! Done. All is figured by the program. Course it does require a bit more work for the incremental shift if the machine uses G54-G59 instead of G10P0.

Or if he finds the insert style being used isn't cutting it (excuse the pun ), then he can change the tool, change the variable (usually it will be a different width), hit cycle start, and be making parts. No further program modifications needed.

[ZenOrbit]

Most of the stuff we do are onesee - twosees,
so bar feeders wouldn't make much sense in our shop.

I must admit, I want macros more for my own amusement than for any practical purpose in the shop. But, I'm sure I could put them to good use one way or another. I'm in love with their versatility!

[Rob H]

This is my first time posting. I get the impression that some of you take pride in your macros, do any of you ever discuss them? I to enjoy a perfect probing program. Some of the old school guys laugh at me when I just don't have to indicate the vice. I pride myself on making it as easy as possible or my operators.

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by Rob H This is my first time posting. I get the impression that some of you take pride in your macros, do any of you ever discuss them? I to enjoy a perfect probing program. Some of the old school guys laugh at me when I just don't have to indicate the vice. I pride myself on making it as easy as possible or my operators.

Welcome to the forum, Rob. I take pride in my macros as well as anything else I do. I only program for lathes, so I am sure you are way ahead of me in macro programming. Macros don't seem to be discussed very often. Maybe no one wants to give away their hard-earned knowledge. Maybe there just isn't much interest in them. I don't know.

I do know that I really enjoy writing them. Wish I could find more places to use them on our lathes. What type of operations have you used macro programming for? Currently I am using them for the barfeed op on the 4' barfeeders, c-o op on all barfeeders, stock size, G71 canned cycle, drilling, plus a few master programs for families of parts.

Maybe you could give me a few ideas on what else I could try macros on.

[warfreak]

im actually still learning through CAREFUL trial and error.....