Multiple coordinate systems and setups for a single program.

[TXFred]

I'm a fairly new CNC programmer, with just over a year on the job.

I'm writing a program that makes a part in a vise, using a stop to position the part.

Two times during a cycle, the operator has to remove the part, reorient it, and put it back in the same vise against the same stop.

When setting this up in X4, Mastercam wants to assign a new work offset system each time the part is reoriented to match the new WCS. Or I can override that and put everything back on G54.

I am wondering what the industry convention is. I want to have programs that won't confuse the operators who come after me.

It is better to have three coordinate systems, each editable to allow the part to be tweaked? Or is it better to keep things simple for the operator, with a single coordinate system?

For what it's worth, tolerance on this part is +/- .010", and all of the critical geometries are created without refixturing the part.

Frederic

[-Chris-]

I my mind its allways best to have a different fixture offset even when useing the same vice and stop setup, because of the things you mentioned.Though somethings to watch out for is, if the last tool ran for g54 is the first tool on g55 force a tool change so the area is clear for operator to rotate part ect.And it also allows for notes to the operators on orentation or whatever it also imputs a m01 or m00 at the tool change wich can be helpful. Chris

[cadcam]

Fredric I would go with all G54 the tolerance is high. to do this you have created a few WCS's. go into View manager and set them all for Workoffset "0" and now all of the program will come out as G54...

[dean_ss]

Chris is right.
Unless your part is a perfect square, you want different work offsets for each face. That way the operator can adjust for the different heights of the different faces using a Z value in the work offset.

Also, try to program the same way every job, so the operators get used to your style.