MacTurn Post

[goulyd]

Hi
I am a newbie to this forum and just feeling my way around.
I have been a Gibbs user since the days of the early Macs when that was the only platform that Gibbs used. My problem is with a new Okuma Macturn 250 MTM with gantry loader, tool monitering and probing that we have. The post Gibbs supplied for this machine is real bad. About the only thing I use is the tool paths generated and then a lot of copying and pasting to existing NC programs. I have worked with Charles Winston of Gibbs debugging this thing but I just don't have the tme for it. Does anyone know of a working post.

Dave ould

[moose]

goulyd,
Are you still using the Mac version of Gibbs? If so, coming across a working Mac Post for this particular machine is going to be next to impossible. All of Gibb's MTM are custom built using only the Window's format. This is because most MTM's are different and unique to each, and the Mac version is now obsolete. Your best bet is to go ahead and upgrade your Gibb's and have your Post Header custom built. This is going to be a major investment, however, you'll get the most out of your machine and less time programming. The Return Of Investment can be seen within a year if used properly.

[goulyd]

Dennis
No we switched from the Mac platform about 6 years ago to the windows version. As I stated in another reply, this is a new 8 axis Okuma MacTurn 250 multi task machine and Gibbs say they must build custom posts for these machines. The problem is I can't spend the time to troubleshoot the thing. There are so many new features it is going to take a long time to get it right. These machines are meant for long runs, so it is while between setups to try to debug it.
Thanks
Dave Gould

[Gibbsgod]

Dave,

I understand about not having time to trouble shoot and get the post fixed but, on the other hand- How do you learn a new 8 axis machine. I'm sure that you don't put it on the floor and push the "Make Part" button. There is, like everything else, a learning curve and training time.

The post stuff is the same thing. You really need to make the time (which is NOT much at all) to get the post to output correctly. What I usually do is make a GibbsCAM file with everything in one file. (every milling/turning, utility operation, sub spindle handoff, bar feed, pinch turn (if you have 2 turrets) and any other operation. Then use that file to test the post. After finding problems, mark them up and send the VNC file and the before and after code to Gibbs.

When they make the changes and send it back to you you can within an hour (most of the time) open the test file and post the code with the modified post. Then compaire the output to the correct end result code you want. Mark up any thing else and send it back if needed.

Im sure that you can afford 2 hours out of your week to get this right. If time is that importaint, do this during lunch whild eating a sandwich. Then there is NO TIME LOST.

By the way there are several MAC Turn posts done at this time, but, with many different models and sizes avalible, you probably can use any other ones for your machine.

Good luck

GG

[goulyd]

Gibbsgod

Thanks for your input. . However if canned cycles were the problem it would be easy to solve. We have 40 machines with posts that were that simple. "Tool management", "Tool Monitoring" and "Part Measuring" A gantry loader that requires 12 lines of info when Gibbs outputs an "M" code just to call the subroutines is. "P" wait coding is a real pain as the lower turret must not be cutting whenever the upper mill head is tool changing or machine alarms out. The mill head has 2 separate magaines with 5 loading positions. 2 hours many many times over have been spent on this machine. I have been working with Charles Winston of Gibbs ( their post GURU ) for the past year on this. I think Gibbs needs to do their homework on MTM posts. For the money they charge and then ask me to debug it they should pay me.