Default Tool in Maz Unit.

[Wheelz]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me where I can change the default tool called up in a Mazatrol unit?

eg. When I set a M10 tapping unit it loads an 8.7mm drill. I'd like it to default to an 8.6mm drill.
I know it's a simple edit but I do a lot of M10 tapping and it's one of those little things that annoys me.

I'm using a 640M PC-Fusion.

Appreciate any help.

[jimiscnc]

a good place to start in is your parameter manuals.

i have a matrix para manual, so this may not be consistent with your 640 M, but the User Parameters "D" has a lot of info on point machining parameters.

The extended definition "in the book" is adequate, but, as always, record your parameter change so you can change it back if it doesn't work to your liking.

In other words, the sometimes vague parameter definitions can be misleading and changing parameters without a full understanding is playing "parameter roulette", in my book.

On the matrix, you can peek into your tool data when your cursor reaches the area in your point unit when defining tools. Rather than trying to reset default drill selection parameters, I just picked the best tool from the tool data window. Never bothered to master the auto sets for drill size selection, although I do think it's possible.

metric? We Americans still use our horrible fractional inch system for most CNC machining over here.

-jim

[Wheelz]

Thanks Jim,

I'll have a look at the manual and see if anything looks obvious.
I remember changing the default behavior of taps a while ago, but blowed if I can find where now.

Used to bother me that a tap could run up to 2 threads past it's designated depth. Got caught badly with this once.

Cheers,
Pete

[jimiscnc]

Pete - it's obnoxious to tell people merely to "look in the book". That is a popular cop out on the customer support side when the tech likes to play passive-aggressive with his companies customer's.

But, in this case, the mazatrol programming manual, which is a dense and ghastly read, does indeed cover RELATED PARAMETERS when dealing with all the info and settings possible in mazatrol.

Once you note this parameter from the program manual, the parameter as defined in the PARAMETER BOOK usually gives a more robust and full definition to the parameter. I always suggest that when you learn something profound about a parameter, write your info in pencil in your parameter book, as the situation will come up again.

Additionally, the TPC page available for almost all mazatrol program units affords you the possibility of "temporary parameter change" or "tool path control".

To get there, get into the mazatrol editor (not display) where the cursor can manuever all through your program. cursor to the FIRST LINE of your point unit, then hit the rightmost button - aka menu, that should display the additional editing softkeys, which include a TPC softkey on the lower right. Hitting this key will reveal the TPC page that is possible on almost all mazatrol units. (Not possible on first (common) unit or end unit, for some reason) (also not possible for manual unit or sub program unit or indexing unit)

TPC is a carefully chosen set of USER PARAMETERS that mazatrol will let you tweak, that would apply to THIS UNIT ONLY. This leaves your global defaults intact for everything else you will be doing. if there is TPC in effect, there is a white cross in a blue field on the left most side of the first line in the unit.

TPC is a good way to learn about parameters that could be tweaked to enhance the machining of specific units. It only lists the most pertinent parameters for the unit, which saves you from slogging through an entire book to find related parameters!

-jim again.

[Wheelz]

Yes, I've found TPC VERY useful. Particularly for specifying an alternative route for the approach and departure of a tool to navigate a pallet that's in the way at A-90.0!

[Wheelz]

User Parameters D would appear to be the correct area (Point Machining) and there are a few options there, like pre-diameter for reaming, depths for tapping and drilling etc. but nothing for pre-diameter of tapping.
Oh well, just have to keep doing it the same old way I guess.