Post Problems

[rfstar]

I am going Gibbscam on a Hitachi Seiki Super Hicell 250 Mill/Turn with B-axis and the post I have for this Machine is Terriable and Im not getting any help for Gibbscam, or my local Rep, because they believe the post is Edit free, which is fear from the truth,

What Im looking for is the post editing tools so I can change some of the Format, can anyone Help ?

Thanks in Advance

[mtlmnchr]

Gibbs has a new feature I found out when my rep demoed the new package to me ....called POSTHASTE I believe ...check it out with him ....if he doesnt respond ...let me know maybe I can get you in-touch with my dealer.

[cadman]

The version of PostHaste that comes bundled with Gibbs is for basic 2D & 3D programming and doesn't support mill/turn machines. I believe you can buy developer's software from Gibbs that will allow you to edit Composte, but one of the prerequisites is you must go to Gibbs for training.
The alternative is to edit the NCF file manually with Predator Editor, which is also bundled with Gibbs.

[Gibbsgod]

The current post haste will not help you for this machine type. They are (gibbs and Ground support, the makers of Post Haste) adding support for Mill/Turn machines. This is an upgrade that you can buy and do the post work yourself. Post Haste would be MUCH more user freindly than Gibbs's Compost.

As for the predator editor, DON'T GO THERE. There are TOO many things to edit there, 2 files, sync codes, wait statments and many more.

Check with your reseller and find out when the mill/turn support for Poste haste will be avalible.

Also, Keep on Gibbs for the changes/fixes on your MTM post. You paied for it right? Don't let them get away without making it right for you.

Try to contact Gibbs Directly, ask to speak to the Sales Manager for your area.

GOOD LUCK

GG

[Shop Rag]

rfstar
I talked with this fellow about a week ago and he said they specialize in multi-axis machining post. Here's his e-mail address see if he can help. I used to work for Hitachi and If you need some tech help on your machine give me a ding.
Here is the e-mail address:
Andy Brewster [andy@ims-software.com]

[pounce]

I would talk to someone different @ Gibbs....
I have been using there software and posts for 15 years and NEVER had any problems with posts or getting posts tweaked.
Stay on them. they'll get you straightened out.

Question: Did they offer you the names of their "3rd party" post writers??
If your interested, let me know and I can get you in contact with them. They are guys that were with Gibbs in the beginning, then have since gone off on their own and write/modify posts for Gibbs.

[cadcam]

If you go to the links page on my website you can contact my freind the owner of Post Hast.
He is vary supportive.

He most likly be able to get you another option.

My site www.ppcadcam.com

[TAB]

You could try looking at icam or IMS post software packages. They are graphical and are flexible. You will need a licinse for each machine, but it may save you money in the long run vs. spending big money on a post. I think the going rate is$1000.00 per axis for a stand alone post.

If you are working with gibbs, send them a file with the output you want and a fiel showing the output you are getting or, just flag the output you are getting. They seem highly willing to work with me.

Addtionally, I had a toolchange issue and after sending them a copy of my file, and the output, it was a snafu on my part in the prgramming of the software which was the issue. Your situation may be the same.

Good luck

[Rekd]

Agreed on keeping on them about fixing your post. If you bought it, they need to make it run they way you want it to run, NOT what they think is best.

This was one of my bigger complaints when I was using Gibbs/Virtual Gibbs and GibbsNC/CAD/CAM over the past 10 years or so. I much prefer having complete control myself out of the box without having to buy 2nd or 3rd party products.

'Rekd

[Gibbsgod]

I agree with everyone, they all have valid points but, there are a few things to think about.

If you go the ICAM route the cost will be more, the interface integration for your machine paramaters will NOT work with the post. You will need to buy a APT-CL option for GibbsCAM to output the code needed to get ICAM to work. This is also a BIG expense.

When using an ICAM post, you might NOT get the machine motion to match the rendering/simulation in GibbsCAM. They (ICAM) are changing the outcome of the program after the simulation. There is no way to check to make sure that the code is coming out correctly or not. If you are using Gibbs post, they make sure everything is working to gether.

Also, with an ICAM post if a function in Gibbs is added/fixed/modified in future versions, they will corect the post at no charge. You will have to go back to ICAM for fixes, which I assume will cost you more money.


Seecond thing for Rekd, I agree that being able to build/modify your posts is a big deal. This all depends on who the person is and if they can do it or not. Most people would NOT have a clue on building a 3 or 4 axis post, let alone a post that needs to program spindle sync, turret syncs, wait codes and get everything to come out correctly aligned between two programs that are needed to run a mahcine like this one.

Gibbs will be offering Post Haste with support for ALL GibdsCAM modules including multi spindle/ multi turret machines as well as 5 axis simultanious milling.

So if you really like to do it yourself, there are the tools, so have at it.

GG

[cadcam]

(Gibbs will be offering Post Haste with support for ALL GibdsCAM modules including multi spindle/ multi turret machines as well as 5 axis simultanious milling.)

So I will ask why not contact post hast now.
He does support multi axis.

I am working with him on ones for other softwares..

Just thought..

[Gibbsgod]

When Gibbs builds a Multi axis post for a mill/turn multi-spindle machine the do customizing to the interface and the machine setup files. These all need to work with the post or you will have issues.

On a standard mill/lathe with one cutting tool (spindle/turret) and one spindle (lathe) there is not a big issue. On a mill/turn machine with 2 turrrts and or spindles there are other things to consider.

#1 Machine size and travels of all axies.
#2 What things move, and how.
#3 Syncronizing of spindles and Turrets
#4 Extra Machine options (not in standard Gibbs) like;

Bar Feeder
Bar Puller
Part Catcher
Sub-Spindle Control
a. Sub Spindle In/Out
b. Part Shift (incrament pull with sub spindle)
c. Syncronized turning (both spindles on the part)
d. Using sub-spindle as live center
e. bar pull with sub spindle

Robot Programing
Steady rest in turret (fixed or chasing cutting tool)

Calculation of each turret position while using Constand Surface Speed.

Setting up machine size for length of travel from main to sub spindle. And last but not least PROPER RENDERING.

So as you can see there are MANY things that need to be custom added to the software to get the Multi asix lathes to work.

I would hate to try and do any of this without getting the software options in and then working with the post. Ground Support needs to make sure that they have all the paramaters in their product to support all possible funciotns of these mahcines.


Hope this helps.

GG