Need Help!- EIA Help needed!

[Gazaman]

Hello all...First post!

After using mazaks for several years, we have decided to use some cadcam software (featurecam) but I'm stuggling with a couple of things...

First of all I'm not sure how to go about using the workpiece coordinates.
I can either use mazatrols (G53.5) or cancel these (G52.5) and use G54,G55 etc.
But i'm not sure which is easiest for setting postitions for both the main and sub spindle. I would prefer to use G53.5 but I'm not sure the best way to set Z0 on the sub?
Also when machining on the sub spindle I have to use an "R2" when programming a surface speed. Why is this? I found the info on the net :-).
And when it does work it seems to only be a percentage of the speed I input.
Runs at 112m after I program 120m??

Machine is a quick turn nexus 200msy


Thanks in advance

[jolafson]

Wish i could help, I'll be watching this as well to see how its done? I know you need to use the g54 offsets for EIA style programming, so ?

[Gazaman]

Ive decided to stick with mazatrols coordinate (G53.5) and offset this position by the distance between main and sub.
To make things easier it would be handy to know where the Z0 set up data position is held. Obviously the data is input in the set up data page but surely then it would be 'held' in a macro variable.
I have looked through the macro pages but cant find the value I have input as my Z0 data.
Anybody know where it is?
I need it to be able to write a macro program to determain the subspindle Z pos without having to manually teach it.

Thanks
G

[camsys]

On a Nexus control, there are several coordinate system variables available
beginning at #5001 thru #5116 (incl. machine, workpiece, and skip coordinates)

Mazatrol setting for tools etc are stored in #600001 and up.

I suggest running a macro that queries the #5000 system variables and
see if they correlate with your g53.3 sets.

There are also a slew of system variables that read PLC registers and
input/output signals