Set up question

[Craigpat]

Im not sure if this is the right area but here it goes. Say you have made 6 sided blanks to make dice out of meatl (hypathetical) You have programed the holes in a cad program and gcoded ect. You mill the first side; then you have to either stop the program and re adjust the material to do side 2 3 4 5 6. does the software know to stop for a setup change or is it part of coding ?

This is put forward that a 3 axis cnc mill is being used

Craig

[JDenyer232]

Typically it's part of the codeing, on a three axis machine you would need to write a seperate program for each side, especially if the part is not a cube with all sides equal, if all sides are equal it would be possible to add in an M01 which is an optional stop, thus allowing you to flip the part.

[big_mak]

The stoping is part of your code. IMO, I'd face one side, then profile the outside. Do what ever Dots you have to do. Flip it Face it, DO the dots, Then Flip each time to drill the dots for the other 4 faces.

that's just my .02

[DareBee]

3 axis CAM software will not allow you to program from more 1 than approach angle.
You will need to paste together 6 programs with appropriate stop codes in between.

I would just run the 6 programs seperate and be done with it.

If you are looking to run production then it is a whole new ballgame.

[big_mak]

The different approach angles could be done with work cordinates. Just insert an M00 in between for each change in orientation, and you will have to pick up each g54-59, or whatever you are using. There are ways, you just have to be creative.

[Mitsui Seiki]

If you're just drilling holes,make one program with all 6 holes.
Put a block skip ( / ) before the holes you're not drilling.Then you turn the piece,remove the block skips you don't need.

[swarfmaker]

Depends how many your doing?
If 50+ then i would set up 6 vices,(or maybe 3 vices with centre jaw.)
then 1 off every cycle, bish,bash,bosh.

[HIRAH]

if they are like dice, i would skim/machine the top,do the outside and cut off with a saw cutter in the 1st op.the 4 outsides would then only need what you are machining into them. then for the saw cut off side, skim it and machine.
this would also insure that the square is actually pretty square.