Need help editing Multicam router post for Mastercam x5

[jbcourt]

The router is a Mulitcam 3000 series (see pix).

Tool changer


This machine does not read G like our others machines and the guys on the floor are not happy about it. But the boss wanted it and I need to make a header in the programs I post. Which the Post dosent do now.

For example:
Our haas post has pop ups that ask for the drawing REV and PL program name and programmer name. ect when you click the post button in the mastercam operations manager. And the programs come out looking like the one below.

O06611 ( 149U1760-9 REV- 5-AXIS PROVEN)
N1 ( DATE 13-07-11 TIME 11:10 )
N2 ( MCX- 149U1760-11 REV- 5-AXIS .MCX-5 )
N3 ( NC= 149U1760-11 REV- 5-AXIS .NC )
N4 (DRAWING INFO/DATA )
N5 (PARTS LIST INFORMATION/PL-A )
N6 (OPERATION DESCRIPTION/5-AXIS )
N7 (PROGRAMMER NAME/SEAN/J)
N8 (****************************************)
N9 ( G54 )
N10 ( XY0 = C.L. OF ROTATION )
N11 ( Z0 IS AT THE/C.L. OF ROTATION)
N12 ( MATERIAL SIZE =9.0X8.0X4.5)
N13
N14 ( T1 2.0 FACE MILL 90DEG /4.5 CL)
N15 ( T3 1.25 STARCHIP RUFF /4.0 LOC OOH)
N16 ( T2 1.0 SWIFT FINISHER /4FLT/4.125LOC/4.75 OOH)
N17 ( T4 1.0 INCERT RUFF/.250 RAD/3.0LOC/3.5OOH)
N18 ( T5 .75 BALL /1.0 LOC /3.375 OOH)
N19 ( T6 .75 2FLT BULL .125 RAD/1.625LOC/3.15OOH)
N20 ( T7 .5 90 DEG SPOT DRILL)
N21 ( T8 .531 JOBBER DRILL / 3.5 OOH)
N22 ( T9 .5 EXT FINISH /.75 LOC/3.0 OOH)
N23 ( T10 .75 FINISH BULL .19R/2.3 LOC/3.1 OOH)
N24 ( T11 .5 2FLT BALL FINISHER/.75LOC/3.375OOH)
N25 ( T12 .375 JOBBER DRILL /3.5 OOH)
N26 ( T13 .75 FINISH BULL/.25RAD/2.75LOC/4.OOH)
N27 ( T14 .375 BULL FINISH .06R/.625LOC/2.1OOH)
N28 ( T15 .375 BALL FINISH/2FLT /.5LOC/2.5OOH)

The programs for the Multicam router post out looking like this:
M90
G90
G70
G75
G97 S15000
G00 T8
( .1875 DRILL/FOR SCREWS )
G00 Z-2.
G00 X-1.1608 Y47.0197
M12
Z-.12
G01 Z.07 F.83
G00 Z-.12
X-17.1631
G01 Z.07 F.83
G00 Z-.12

I see the where the variables are at in the Haas post for the Information to be ented and gathered for drawing REV and PL program name and programmer name. ect but dont know how to get the router post to do it.


What will you need to help me? I can send copy of the posts and anything else you need.

[txcncman]

I use X3, but I can give it a shot and try to walk you through it if you can't find any other support.

Start trying all of the available Machine Definitions and Control Definitions and Post Processors you have and find the one that outputs G-code closest to what is needed.

Then make copies of that Machine Definition, Control Definition, and Post Processor and rename them MULTICAM 3000 ROUTER, keeping the appropriate extensions.

Open MasterCAM and under Settings, open the Machine Definition Manager. Select Machine Type to Open - Router. Then open your newly created router, MULTICAM 3000 ROUTER.rmd. Change the control definition to your newly created control, MULTICAM 3000 ROUTER.control. Open the Control Definition dialog and change the post to your newly created MULTICAM 3000 ROUTER.pst.

Once you complete these steps, message back and I will try to walk you through editing the post processor to change the G-code that is output as needed.

[jbcourt]

Let me be more clear. Mastercam ahas given us a Post that works for the router. But the post doesnt make a header. I want help editing the post to make a custom header.

The reason why I just dont ask symtec to help me with it is because I want to learn how to do it myself.

[txcncman]

If you don't know how to get through the above steps in MasterCAM, we may have to back up and review some basics. If I do not reply here in a reasonable time, email to txcncman@yahoo.com. Sometimes I will get the message quicker. Considering this is the weekend, I probably won't be at the computer as much as on weekdays.

What is your time line for getting this up and running?

[jbcourt]

No rush, the Post processor for the router works just fine, I can enter the program info in manually for now.

Will I still need to go though the step you laid out to make the Post Processor out put header info?

[txcncman]

Oh, and if you haven't yet, review the Multicam parameter specs at MultiCam - Support - M & G Codes.

[txcncman]

Well, maybe I misunderstood what you were really needing. If your G-code works fine, then it is possible in MasterCAM to enter Manual Entry under Toolpaths. Just enter the data you want "As Comment" at the first process. See screen shots attached.

[txcncman]

How much header information are you really needing? When manually g-coding, I usually include:

(Part number and info and date)
(Material blank info)
(Work zero info)

[txcncman]

Finally, to wrap this up for today, to get MasterCAM to automatically post this info, you will have to make a dedicated post processor for this machine and edit it appropriately. I just always go through the steps mentioned above so that everything is wrapped up in a nice little package with one name so when I choose my machine I do not have to run around MasterCAM changing the post processor and such. I do not know of any other work around for your situation unless you purchase a pre-made post processor for MasterCAM. Last I heard, I think I was quoted $800.00 for a custom post processor.

[jbcourt]

Yes txcncman I always use the manual code function when incerting M00 and and toolpath information.

But I want the router post to make a header like the fanuc post for the HAAS's has.

[txcncman]

The part of the post possessor for my Generic Haas VF-TR_Series 5X Mill.pst for beginning the header info is at line 891. See attachment.

Maybe you can zip the Machine Definition, Machine Control, and Post Processor files you are using to a zip file and upload so I can take a look at them.

[txcncman]

Also include a basic MasterCAM part file that we both can use for testing purposes.