A few concerns about Quick Code.

[l u k e]

I'm in the middle of researching my HAAS purchase and was wondering how quick I "should" be able to start making chips using the Quick Code programing?

I've never ran a cnc machine and what I know about machining in general is completely self taught. I've pretty much ran my manual mill 5 days a week for going on 5 years, so I know my way around a knee mill.

I do understand the importance of G code and do plan on learning it in the future. But, I would like to make the transition into CNC and be able continue to make my current products utilizing the Quick Code. The stuff I currently make is not complex at all so I'm hoping the quick code will help me get out of the gate.

I guess I'm concerned because the questions I see asked involving programing a HAAS has to do with G code. I don't believe I've ever seen anything about Quick code. I've searched for video to review online involving QC but haven't found any. It seems like HAAS would have this info out there for potential customers to review, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

[Geof]

......I do understand the importance of G code and do plan on learning it in the future....

Here is my standard response. Why waste time learning Quick Code if you plan on learning G code in the future? Everything that can be done in Quick Code can be directly programmed using G code.

Even if you get into CAD/CAM you need to know G code...otherwise how do you know you have optimized your CAM output, particularly for simple programs.

[l u k e]

Because I have a slew of products I currently make and I would like to make a quick transition to CNC. I'm under the impression that quick code can be picked up in a few days, where as g-code could take years to master.

But then again that's why I'm asking, I really don't know. At this point I have found ZERO information on VQC.

I get the impression you're not for the quick code program?

[Geof]

....where as g-code could take years to master....

Whoever gave you this impression is totally out to lunch. I am a Machinist, the proper full apprenticehsip kind, so I do know machining, but I had never touched a CNC machine until I bought a Haas HL1 in 1999. It took me six weeks to get a working program; since then I have written hundreds of lathe programs. I bought a VF0 in March of 2000 and this time it took me three weeks to get a working program. G coding is dead simple if you are at all logical and can follow a sequence of operations.

It is possible you will have a program quicker using Quick Code I have no idea, I took one look at all the gobbledy gook and figured it was a waste of time learning it when I got the VF0. One thing I am sure of is that for the most efficient programs hand coding is the way to go if it is possible to hand code. For complex 3D contours you have to use CAM, but Quick Code is no help here either.

[l u k e]

I've started designing in Solid Works and have the majority of my parts designed. Would I be further ahead in making chips by sending those drawings to a CAM program to generate the g code, instead of utilizing the QC?

[zedzero]

I'm with Geof on this one...while QC looks good to a new machine buyer it also reduces your "knowledge",if you learn G code(which aint that hard on a lathe)..you should be ble to run most any machine.

If you've access to a cam package,then run with that....just jump in!

[Geof]

If you are not doing large numbers of each part and if you have drawings for all of them it will certainly be quicker to go the CAM route. Your CAM programs will run slower than a hand coded program but when part numbers are low what you gain in time saved up front can compensate for time wasted in the machine running time.

If your numbers are large, i.e. many hundreds or even thousands, and if it is possible to hand code, i.e. no complex 3D contours, then hand coding will probably be better. You do spend more time up front, but this is recovered with the faster running programs over a large number of parts.

[Donkey Hotey]

You'll need to know G-code to use any programming method (Cam program, Quick Code or Visual Quick Code). The advantage of QC and VQC is quick setup of basic operations. I've assembled some simple programs at the control using VQC.

Most times, I forget the 'form' that a canned cycle needs. So I can call it up with VQC, then tune the G-code it generates. Or it can automate tedious tasks such as facing a part. It'll generate all of the back & forth passes for you without typing them over and over.

There is no way you can use QC or VQC to completely program an actual part, unless the part is a rectangular plate with a regular hole pattern on it.

Have you actually downloaded the Mill programming manuals from their website? G-code is not that complicated. Of course, the more complex the parts, the more likely you will need a CAM program.

The training page:
http://www.haascnc.com/custserv_training.asp#custserv

The Mill manuals:
http://www.haascnc.com/training/Mill...m_PDF/xMcb.pdf
http://www.haascnc.com/training/Mill...m_PDF/xmwb.pdf
http://www.haascnc.com/training/Mill...PDF/xmtips.pdf

[Geof]

......I get the impression you're not for the quick code program?

Obviously even people who have used Quick Code are not for it either. Makes me glad I didn' waste my time.

What I have done is prepare my own template programs for doing routine procedures. I described someplace a template facing program that I can adapte for a single pass over any rectangular area by entering two work zeroes, G54 and G55, and editing three places in the program. If I want to take multiple passes to remove more material I have to edit a couple more places. I doubt that it would be any quicker with Quick Code.

[l u k e]

I started out looking at the TM's. They are marketing these with "Intuitive Programing Systems". "No G-code knowledge necessary for full CNC operation."

Is the "Intuitive Programing System" just the QC or VQC program?

[Donkey Hotey]

No, Intuitive Programming System (IPS) is a third method. It's been discussed on here. IPS on the mill sucks. IPS on the lathe is useful.

You still can't produce complex parts on it. Squares, hole patterns, simple pockets: yes. Tapers, rounded surfaces, irregular bolt patterns: no. And even if you do, you'll very quickly find yourself learning G-code just so you can understand why the cutter traveled up when you wanted it to go down.

[l u k e]

OK, as of right now I'm not trying to get out of learning G code. (LOL) But trying to understand the different machines and programing software.

Is it safe to say that the VF-2 does NOT have "Shop Floor Programing"?

Is the QC and VQC considered "Shop Floor Programing"?