Hand writen G-code VS Cam

[HuFlungDung]

I agree wholeheartedly with Michael T.'s methods and reasons. If you have a good cadcam, you'll just like it more if you practice with it on the simple things to the point of getting really fast. If you save the cadcam for only the hard jobs, then that just makes them harder to carry out.

[ger21]

If you have a good cadcam, you'll just like it more if you practice with it on the simple things to the point of getting really fast. If you save the cadcam for only the hard jobs, then that just makes them harder to carry out.

And even the simplest CAD/CAM is always going to be faster than hand writing the code, as long as you are proficient with the software you're using.

Some of the posts so far have mentioned simple or simpler programs; how do you define simple?

Simple can mean different things to different people. But like the previous two posts, I'd recommend doing everything in CAD. You still should know how to read and write g-code, and know it well. But the CAD/CAM route will be faster, and less prone to errors (typos).

I don't have cam so I hand write it I have one code that is 374 lines and not even an 1/8 done IS IT WORTH IT????

No. Spend that time learning some CAD/CAM, even if it's A9CAD http://www.a9tech.com and ACE http://www.dakeng.com
You'll have a lot more time on your hands once you let the software write the code.

[mannster]

I do all hand coding using cad drawings as a reference tool. All the parts I have to do are relatively simple, just turned and bored, and threaded on our Lathe. So I don't think we are going to purchase a cam $y$tem (sic)
I just hate having to go to the lathe for backplotting...

Is there a free or cheap backplotter for CNC lathes ??? Everything seems to be
made for CNC mills.

What I do like about hand coding is that I am becoming very familiar with all the codes and canned cycles, and I can control tiny little details...cuz I am a control freak ><;

[mrainey]

Discriminator works just fine for lathes. It won't draw the tool, just the toolpath, but you can usually visualize the tool clearances in your mind. I don't see much value in solids for backplotting turning programs, so no loss there.

The program is a free trial that doesn't time out. My all-time favorite free backplotter, even though it's apparently not supported any more.

http://www.cncedit.com

[mannster]

to: Mrainey

I tried Discriminator out, I'm not sure I like the backplotting style it uses,
but I really like the editor ! I think I will use that instead of notepad (LOL)

AND... I saw your Thread Data Program ! I think I wanna buy it if I get approval.

later !

[miljnor]

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I do all hand coding using cad drawings as a reference tool. All the parts I have to do are relatively simple, just turned and bored, and threaded on our Lathe. So I don't think we are going to purchase a cam $y$tem (sic)

What I do like about hand coding is that I am becoming very familiar with all the codes and canned cycles, and I can control tiny little details...cuz I am a control freak ><;

You should realy try and get even a cheap cad system for this. Relying on hand programing limits your ability when it comes to the complex stuff and saying that your shop will never do the "hard stuff" (especialy if your a job shop) is a good way to go out of business. Everyone will pass you by! If down the road you decide to take on more complex work your learning curve will be that much harder and your mindset will not be complementery to learning a new cad system.

And like Hu said just doing the simple stuff will make you much beter when it comes time for the hard stuff.

If it just the money justification, then look at the cheaper systems out there.

No. Spend that time learning some CAD/CAM, even if it's A9CAD http://www.a9tech.com and ACE http://www.dakeng.com
You'll have a lot more time on your hands once you let the software write the code.

who couldnt use more time?

and if your excuse is "I like doing it the old way" then your are a "Hobbiest" and don't realy have the mindset for the business end. (gee did I say your just a hobbiest, my appologies, there probably arn't any around these parts anyway! )

[cadfish]

My new book Machining and CNC Technology 2004 by Michael Fitzpatrick finaly came in the mail with a student version of Mastercam. now i just need to learn the program.

[mrainey]

mannster,

I tried Discriminator out, I'm not sure I like the backplotting style it uses,
but I really like the editor ! I think I will use that instead of notepad (LOL)

AND... I saw your Thread Data Program ! I think I wanna buy it if I get approval.

Whatever works for you.

I'll be releasing a new version of the thread data program in a day or two - adds form tap data, buttress thread data, and some interface improvements.


Mike

[MetLHead]

I do all hand coding using cad drawings as a reference tool. All the parts I have to do are relatively simple, just turned and bored, and threaded on our Lathe. So I don't think we are going to purchase a cam $y$tem (sic)
I just hate having to go to the lathe for backplotting...

Is there a free or cheap backplotter for CNC lathes ??? Everything seems to be
made for CNC mills.

What I do like about hand coding is that I am becoming very familiar with all the codes and canned cycles, and I can control tiny little details...cuz I am a control freak ><;

Check out www.ncplot.com

It has a basic lathe backplotter, but there's no canned cycles for lathe yet. I'm still working on this, I should have them ready for the next beta release.

Regards,
Scott

[Brian J]

Depends I program both in cam and by hand depending. Parametric programs almost entirely get written by hand. Cam provides a good template though if you have multiple programmers so that the code is in the same format when it comes out and if multiple controllers so that the little diffences in some of the cycles don't cause headaches, ie G76. Also makes it easier to troubleshoot on the floor if you know where in a line you are looking for info. Still end up editing cam posts to remove some of the wasted motion you can't edit out of the template files. Have to agree though the more you use the cam product and get familiar with it the faster you become with it.

[NeoMoses]

mostly CAM, but I continuously edit programs that I frequently use. I find that each time I run a program, I find another spot that I could speed it up. I also become more comfortable with seeing tools rapidly approach workpieces, etc...

CAM for quick and dirty stuff, hand edit for optimum speed.

[Somle]

99.7% by hand. Directly on the machine (Okuma MC-400H). It is an older machine, so it can't read MS-DOS formatted floppies. We have newer machines that can read both MS-DOS and OSP-Formatted floppies, which can then be used for copying programs written or generated on a PC.

Guess i should be overly happy by doing it all by "hand", but it is slow and generally lots of errors/typos. Good for making some smaller programs, like a few holes, threads ,
simple facemilling. We had edgecam a few years ago, but gave it up since the one who could use it left, and it costed quite a bit to use (yearly fee or something), and we didn't use it enough to cover the cost, .. or so they said. And it generated very large programs , which the little memory on the okuma had a hard time to digest.
No parametrics i guess. But the 4 - 9 jobs we used it for turned out very well. Now and then, quite often actually, i wish we still had it. Or something simular.