GPP file, what variable determines rough, semi, finish op when milling?

[guru_florida]

In my GPP file, what variable do I use to determine if the milling op is a ROUGH, SEMI or FINISH op?

I messed with work_type, rough, semi_finish and finish variables but these seem to only related to turning. (they are always 0/FALSE regardless.)

Thanks,
Colin

[Brakeman Bob]

It is nothing in the GPP file. The decision is made by you in the CAM. The only operation types to offer rough, semi & finish is 3D milling and in the cutting data for rough and semi there is a field to set the amount ot offset from the surface. In Profile & Pocket jobs there is just rough & finish and in profile by clicking the rough checkbos a default value will be inserted in the offset field. What rough & finish also do is set the cutter speed feed defaults to the rough & finish parameters (assuming they have been set up for rough & finish).

[guru_florida]

Yes, I know, but in the gcode when an operation is output I need to know if it is a roughing or finishing operation so I can set my gcode interpreter (emc2) to "exact path mode" or "continuous path" mode. The continuous path mode is great for roughing it keeps the speed of the tool up higher sacrificing some precision but saving a lot of time. In exact path mode the tool slows down more, sometimes even stops in order to keep exactly to the path, slower but what is desired for finishing passes.

G64 = continuous path mode with optional precision
G61 = exact path mode

I did this before in my GPP file, but I had a hard drive failure and lost that GPP file and for the life of me I cant figure out how I did it! I could use user parameters, but I would prefer it to be implicit.

C

Originally Posted by Brakeman Bob It is nothing in the GPP file. The decision is made by you in the CAM. The only operation types to offer rough, semi & finish is 3D milling and in the cutting data for rough and semi there is a field to set the amount ot offset from the surface. In Profile & Pocket jobs there is just rough & finish and in profile by clicking the rough checkbos a default value will be inserted in the offset field. What rough & finish also do is set the cutter speed feed defaults to the rough & finish parameters (assuming they have been set up for rough & finish).

[Brakeman Bob]

Well, it occurs to me that there are a number of ways of doing it depending on what type of machining job it is. For example, in a profile or pocket job you could make the trigger for G61 tool compensation. Have a look in the trace at @start_of_job for different 3D jobs as see if if there is something there that you can use for a trigger when 3D machining.