Is there a way to add or change the name of cooling types?

[tcom-frazzled]

I have a cnc router that can control the aspirator and dust hood via custom M codes that I've added to the ladder. Depending on the job, material, and tool involved, I may want either of these to be on/off, or up/down. For the time being, I have stolen the machine active air (aspirator) and turret active air (dust hood) coolant function to represent these function in my custom post processor, which gives me the control that I need. The downside it that it really seems like a kludge and I end up having to explain repeatedly to other folks how to use these functions. Is there a way to rename them or add another set of cooling options that I can appropriately call aspirator and dust hood?

[Adam Lilja]

I believe if you go into your post processor mac file to this;

;Coolant_Options
Flood_coolant = Y
Mist_coolant = N
HP_Flood_coolant = N
LP_Flood_coolant = Y
HP_Through_coolant = N
LP_Through_coolant = Y
Air_Blast_coolant = Y
Minimum_Quantity_L = N


and turn w/e ones you want to Y it will allow you to select them in your Solidcam Options. Now, I'm not sure if you can rename them but you could trying doing so. You might want to trace them in your Gcode file. After you turn those on and go into your gpp file and mess with this section of your processor;

@tool_coolant

if Flood_coolant eq true
{nb,'M08 (FLOOD COOLANT)'}
endif

;if Mist_coolant eq true
; {'xxx'}
;endif

;if HP_Flood_coolant eq true
; {'xxx'}
;endif

if LP_Flood_coolant eq true
{nb,'M50 (CHIP WASH)'}
endif

;if HP_Through_coolant eq true
; {'M8'}
;endif

if LP_Through_coolant eq true
{nb,'M88 (COOLANT THROUGH)'}
endif

if Air_Blast_coolant eq true
{nb,'M152 (AIR BLAST)'}
endif

;if Minimum_Quantity_L eq true
; {'xxx'}

NOW, if for example you selected air blast for your dust hood, put in the appropriate M-code and DUST HOOD in the comment or w/e you want!

{nb,'M152(or other custom m code (AIR BLAST)(Or other custom function name)'}

Hope this answered your questions.

[tcom-frazzled]

I had modified the post processor for the machine to generate dust hood extend/retract and aspirator on/off commands. I used the machine air blast and chuck air blast, as those were the most appropriate existing ones I could think of. Adding comments into the generated code is a good idea as well. I'll definitely borrow that one..

I wish coolant mechanisms were laid out like drilling cycles where the available types are defined in the machine definition file. That way, I could just remove all of the unused ones and add in custom, named coolant types that are appropriate for the machine.

Thanks for the assistance!