Hey, finally a section for one of my favorite lathes.

[g-codeguy]

And I get to be the first to post a thread...if I can type fast enough. How come it took so long to start a Hardinge lathe section? Must be not many people are running these machines.

I like their safe index subprograms, and use them on all the Fanuc controlled lathes I can. I also use their Deep Drill cycle on all Fanuc controlled lathes. Sorry Hardinge! Maybe you don't want me to.

Okay, whose going to be the first to post with a problem on these machines?

[duenow]

Originally Posted by g-codeguy And I get to be the first to post a thread...if I can type fast enough. How come it took so long to start a Hardinge lathe section? Must be not many people are running these machines. I like their safe index subprograms, and use them on all the Fanuc controlled lathes I can. I also use their Deep Drill cycle on all Fanuc controlled lathes. Sorry Hardinge! Maybe you don't want me to. Okay, whose going to be the first to post with a problem on these machines?

Problem, they last forever. Running my 1992 CHNCI I bought new. still will hold .0002. Also love the safe index & use it on my other fanuc lathes..

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by duenow Problem, they last forever. Running my 1992 CHNCI I bought new. still will hold .0002. Also love the safe index & use it on my other fanuc lathes..

I started here in 1985. They were running 4 CHNCs at that time. No longer have any. Couple years later the company started replacing them with Conquest 42's. Have one Conquest 51. Still have the 1st 42. Like you said, still running jobs with .0005 total tolerance in materials such as Pyrowear 650.

Only problem we've had lately with this machine is setting work shift. Occasionally it doesn't accept the tool's geometry when you do the MZ. No error message, but you know when it happens as soon as you go to run the first tool.

[DOA]

Problems with Hardinge machines? Come on! lol. I have a Conquest 42, bought it used 5 years ago and had just basic maintenece issues. I have encountered a disater when your in edit mode and the power fails or the machine is shut down. It wipes the system memory clean! You have to reload all the parameters and any part programs. Hradinge Bros walked me thru resetting everything, but after the 3rd time, one of the service techs explained the shutdown problem. Havn't had any trouble since.

[howd]

what is this 'safe index subprograms' you guys are talkin about? I have a Fanuc 18T that I am 'discovering'.

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by howd what is this 'safe index subprograms' you guys are talkin about? I have a Fanuc 18T that I am 'discovering'.

Can't do it now, but Monday I can post the programs here if you'd like. Hardinge calls the program O1, O2, O3, O4, O998, & O999. I stuck the first four in 9001-9004 protected programs. Left the last two as listed for the set-up/operators to modify the Z-axis clearance. I could have also put them in a protected program, and used a variable to set the Z with. Trouble is we sometimes have to reverse the X/Z positioning to avoid hitting a subspindle or tail stock. Programs 1, 2 & 999 are used for the main spindle. Others for the subspindle.

Basically these subs cancel G80 series drill/tap cycles, tool compensation, set G0, G97, IPR, etc. 998 & 999 contain the index position. Set-up/operator looks at the longest tool's geometry, and modifies the Z to be an inch (in most cases) longer. Turret will index with one inch clearance from face of part. Provided of course that you use the face as Z0.

Their deep drill cycle is pretty darn good, too. It uses a G65 macro call to set variables for drill depth, distance tool rapids to from the previous cut, feedrate, depth of first pass, minimum DOC (except for the last peck), dwell at retract point, and where the material starts in Z-axis.

If you were running a casting with a counter bore .750 deep, you can program the drills retract point at Z.5, and tell it to start drilling at Z-.75 (minus the tool rapid distance).

So

X0Z.5
G65P9136K-2.265B.02F.008W.65C.25A.2Z-.75

would position drill, set final drill depth at Z-2.265, a rapid clearance of .02, F.008 feedrate, .65 for first peck, .25 minimum peck, .2 second dwell at retract, and start the first drill peck at Z-.73 (.75-.02).

[g-codeguy]

My complete operation for drilling would look like this:

N1000M91 (23/32 HSS DRILL)
T1010S265M13
X0Z.5
G65P9136K-2.265B.02F.008W.65C.25A.2Z-.75
M91
M1

A rough bore would look like this:

N500M91 (ROUGH BORE)
T0505S2500M63
X.747Z.5
Z.03
G1U#510Z-1.96F.01
U-.02
M92
M1

M91 & M92 call up safe index programs 9001 and 9002. Subs are set in M-call parameters. M91 sends tool directly home. First block in M92 is G0Z.5. Therefore it isn't necessary to program a separate clearance move.

These examples are for Hardinge and Daewoos with Fanuc controls.

If I were facing using a G96, I still wouldn't need a G97 in the block where the tool and spindle speed are as it is in the safe index program. I think it makes for a cleaner looking program. Less typing. I'm lazy!

EDIT: I should add that I always start the spindle up with the correct RPM for where I position the tool, then program the G96 block after the approach move. Yes, I am aware that many would simply program a G96 & SFM in the same block with the tool.

[DOA]

Originally Posted by howd what is this 'safe index subprograms' you guys are talkin about? I have a Fanuc 18T that I am 'discovering'.

It is a subroutine program that positions the turret in a preset or defined position in the X and Z axis to allow for indexing without tool to part interference. Look in your manual for Safe start program. It is called by the M98 command. Look up the M98 and M99 code descriptions. You may not have the subprog stored in the buffer either, as well as the subprogs for deep hole drilling.

Sorry for the repeat, lol

[g-codeguy]

Originally Posted by howd what is this 'safe index subprograms' you guys are talkin about? I have a Fanuc 18T that I am 'discovering'.

What machine is this 18T control on?

[TARIQ08]

HI

[TARIQ08]

I am trying to thread aluminum tubes on a conquest 42 lathe and i am getting a lot of burrs. I am doing acme thread form, 4tpi. What are the best possible G code

[TARIQ08]

anyone can help me out here, thank you