The CAM Plan Manager is used to interface with the CAM Machine Manager using standard Object Editing techniques. Right-click on a machine in the manager tree and select an option from the popup menu. Left-click to execute the Select function (see below).

 

These options along with the CAM Machine Manager Form encompass the CAM Machine Manager. Each option is listed briefly in the table below.  Additional forms for defining various machine parameters such as axes and offsets are also available and documented below.

 

CAM Machine Manager Functions
Select	Displays the CAM Object Name List. Select a machine to assign to the active setup and the list will close automatically.
Edit	Displays the CAM Machine Manager Form and activates the current machine for editing.
Rename	Renames the current machine assigned to the active setup.  Enter a new name and pick OK.
Remove	Removes the current machine assigned to the active setup. The machine will be designated as (undefined).  You will need to Select a new machine. The machine definition is not deleted.
Manage	Displays the CAM Machine Manager Form for managing machines in the active CAM plane and other machine libraries (i.e., all machine defined in designated VX file).
Delete	Deletes a machine definition from the active CAM plane.

 

Invoked By

 

(On a CAM Machine in the manager tree)

 

 

 

(On a CAM Machine in the manager tree) > Select, Edit or Manage

 

Use this form to define and manage CAM machines for use in the active CAM plan and other plans through the use of CAM machine libraries.  Machines can be defined or selected from libraries of previously defined machines. A machine library is any VX CAM plan containing machine definitions.

 

The CAM machine contains information necessary to format an NC Program for a particular machine tool. It also defines the configuration of the tool changer magazine so that tool change statements can be inserted into the NC program.

 

 

 

Definition

 

Name...

For a new machine definition, enter a name for the machine.  Pick the button to select from the list of currently defined machines.  Its name and parameters will populate the form.
 

Class

Pick the Class button and select a machine class.  The following classes are supported: 2-axis M.C., 3-axis M.C., gantry mill, spar mill, drill or router.  You can enter your own classification name and filter by that class if desired.  See Apply Filter below.
 

Type

Pick the Type button and select a machine type.  The following types are supported: Rotating Head or Rotating Table.  You can enter your own type name and filter by that type if desired.  See Apply Filter below.
 

Subtype

Pick the Subtype button and select a machine subtype.  The following subtypes are supported: Rotating Head or Rotating Table.  You can enter your own subtype name and filter by that subtype if desired.  See Apply Filter below.
 

Post Processor

This is set to FlexPost by default.  It specifies the post-processor to be used. Select from the following:

 

• Pworks

• FlexPost

• Flexipp

• IMSPost

• SMB (see Tip box below)

 

 

Config Num

This defines the post process configuration. fanuc10 is selected by default. Different configurations (other than the fanuc10) can be created to customize the output for different controllers.

 

XY Interp, YZ Interp , ZX Interp

This defines whether or not the active machine can support circular interpolation in the XY, YZ, or ZX planes.

 

If yes, the circular interpolation records will be generated for all circular motion which lie in the respective plane of the Setup coordinate system. If no, linear moves will be output.

 

MULTAX

This defines whether or not to output tool axis vectors when creating NC Programs for CAM Plans which reference the active machine.

 

Tool axis vectors are relative to the coordinate system of the referenced Setup object.

 

MULTAX should be used if the Setup Frame used for NC Program creation is not parallel to the frames used for tool path creation. If there are tool paths in the CAM Plan which are not parallel to the output frame, I, J, K coordinates should be output to determine the tool axis.

 

Scale

This defines a scaling factor to apply to motion in an NC Program for CAM Plans that reference the active machine.

 

The scaling factor is applied about the origin of the referenced Setup object. It can be any decimal number greater than zero.

 

# .xxxx

This assigns the number of decimal digits to output for decimal numbers when creating an NC Program for CAM Plans that reference the active machine. For example, entering "5" in this field will cause numbers to have five decimal digits (e.g. 123.12345)

 

Rewind

This specifies whether or not instructions to rewind the tape at the end of the NC Program will be output.

 

Increment

This defines a tape block numbering Increment. The increment value is available as a CAM variable for use in Sequence Files.

 

CUTCOM

This specifies whether or not to output Cutter Compensation statements when generating NC Programs which reference the active machine. Cutter Compensation records will be output for planar motion in the XY, YZ or ZX plane of the referenced setup. You can also set Cutter Compensation for individual operation that support it.  See 2-1/2 Axis Milling Operation Form Parameters.  

 

Cutcom records have the following format:

 

CUTCOM/side,plane

Example: CUTCOM/LEFT,XYPLAN

 

Select from the following options:

 

• none - No cutter compensation

• length - Cutter length compensation only

 

Cutter compensation is now supported for output using the Flexpost post-processor. You can modify the Flexpost configuration file "fanuc10.fp" if different G codes are needed.

 

Mach Def File

Select this button to display a list of the Machine Definition Files in the active CAM Plan.  Select one and it will be displayed (i.e., machine_all.mdf).  Then you can use the Edit button to open the file in your local text editor.  Note that Windows may not recognize the *.mdf file extension.  You will need to select your local NC code editor so Windows can associate it with the new file extension.

 

Tool Changer

This displays the Machine Tool Changer Form for the active machine (see below).  Use this form to define tools and their locations in the tool changer.
 

 

Options

 

Parameters...

This displays the Machine Details Form for the active machine (see below).  Use this form to define machine details such as speed units, accuracy, precision, etc. for the active machine.
 

Limits...

This displays the Machine Axis Limits Form for the active machine (see below).  Use this form to define the axis limits information for the active machine.

 

Sequence Files

This displays the Machine Sequence Files Form for the active machine (see below). Use this form to define text which is automatically inserted into NC programs for the active machine.
 

Axes and Offsets

This displays the Machine Axes and Offsets Form (see below). Use this form to manage table axes for the active machine.

 

Add to Library ->

This adds a copy of the active machine to the active machine library.  Use the Library options below to first load a machine library.  This button is only active when the Manage function is selected.  See Interfacing with the CAM Machine Manager above.

 

Apply Filter ->

This filters the list of machines in the Library section (see below) by one or more of the Definition parameters above.  First place a check in the box to left of the parameter (s) to filter by and then pick this button.  Only those machines matching those definitions will be listed.  This button is only active when the Select or Manage function is selected.  See Interfacing with the CAM Machine Manager above.

 

 

Library

 

Use this section to load CAM machine libraries.  A machine library is any VX CAM plan containing machine definitions.  Here are list of things you can do.

 

• Pick the filter icon to display the CAM Browser and select a CAM plan. The machines contained in the plan will be listed.  You can close the browser when you’re done.

• When you select a machine from the list, its definitions will populate the form.  If you select a machine from a library for use in the active setup, its definition will be copied to the active CAM plan (i.e., it will be added to the library of the active CAM plan).

• You can pick the Add to Library -> button (see above) to copy a machine in the active CAM plane (if it’s active in the form) to the active machine library.  It will be added to the list.

• You can pick the Delete button to delete a machine definition from the active library.  This button is only active when the Manage function is selected.  See Interfacing with the CAM Machine Manager above.

 

Other Options

 

• OK - Accept the machine selection for the active setup or accept changes to an existing machine definition.

• Apply - Apply changes to the machine definition without closing the form.

• New - Clear the form for a new machine definition.  When you select OK the new machine will be created.

• Reset - Reset the current machine definition to its previous defaults.

• Cancel - Close the form.  All changes will be lost unless OK was selected first.

 

 

 

You can combine all of your sequence files into one Machine Definition File for easier storage and maintenance.  Just follow this simple procedure.

 

 

1. Open the CAM Machine Manager and select the Sequence Files... button under the Options section.  This will display the Machine Sequence Files Form.
   
   
   
   
    

2. From the Machine Sequence Files Form select the Merge All Seq Files button.  This will display the File Browser.  Select a folder and enter a file name for your Machine Definition File (i.e., my_machine_def.mdf).  Be sure to include the *.mdf file extension in the file name.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

3. Select the Open bottom from the File Browser to create the file.
   
    

4. Now, in the CAM Machine Manager, select the Mach Seq File button near the bottom of the Definition section of the form.
   
    

5. This will display a list of the Machine Definition Files currently defined for the active CAM Plan.  Select your definition file from the list.
   
    

6. The name of the file will be displayed in the appropriate field in the CAM Machine Manager.
   
   
   
   
    

7. Now you can pick the Edit button to open the file in your local NC code editor.  Note that Windows may not recognize the *.mdf file extension.  You may need to select your local NC code editor so Windows can associate it with the new file extension.  You will only have to do this one time.
   
   
   
    

    

Tips & Techniques

 

 

 

 

CAM Machine Manager Form

 

Use the Machine Tool Changer Form to define tools and their locations in the tool changer for the active CAM machine. Use the CAM Machine Manager Form to define the active machine and then pick the Tool Changer button to display this form. Changes to this form will be applied to the active machine when the Accept button is selected from the CAM Machine Manager Form.

 

1. Use the form options described below to add or remove tools to or from their locations in the tool changer.

2. When you are done, pick the close button in the upper right corner to close the form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Add- Displays the Available Tools & Quantity Form. Use this form to select a previously defined tool and add it to the tool changer.

 

1. Select a tool from the list.

2. In the For Station field, enter a number where the tool should be located in the tool changer. If no number is specified, the next available location is used.

3. In the D register and H register fields, enter the tool diameter and height cutter compensation (CUTCOM) registers if desired. The default registers equal the station id.

4. Pick OK, Apply or Cancel as desired.

 

• Add All- This adds all available tools to the tool changer in alphabetical order by the tool name.

• Remove - This removes a selected tool from the tool changer.

• Remove All- This removes all tools from the tool changer.

• Reset- This resets the tool changer from to its previous defaults (i.e., those currently defined by the active CAM machine).

• OK - Accept the tool changer definitions and close the form.

• Cancel - Close the form without saving any changes.

 

 

 

CAM Machine Manager Form

 

Use this form to define the machine parameters of the active CAM machine displayed in the CAM Machine Manager Form. This form and settings are displayed when the Parameters button from that form is selected.

 

1. Complete the form for the active CAM machine. See below.

2. When you're done, pick the button in the upper right corner to close the form.
    

 

 

 

• Speed Units - This defines the units in which the spindle is programmed.

• Maximum Speed - This defines the maximum allowable spindle speed.

• Spindle Dir - This specifies the supported spindle directions. Select CLW, CCLW, or both.

• Feed Units - Defines the units in which the feed rate programmed.

• Maximum Feed - This defines the maximum allowable feed rates.

• Accuracy - This defines the realistic accuracy (i.e., the limits of machining precision) of the machine positioning mechanism measured in the defaults units.

• Precision - This defines the precision of the current accuracy value.

• Horse Power - This defines the spindle horsepower.

• Rigidity - This defines a rigidity factor for the active machine. All spindle speeds and feed rates specified for operations will be multiplied by this factor when NC programs are created for CAM plans that reference the machine.

• Program Mode - This defines the program mode used by the active machine. This field is currently for user reference only. Post-processor commands to control Absolute or Incremental output must be included in the Startup Sequence for the Machine.

• Tool Change Time - This is how much time is wasted while the machine is changing tools. This value should be supplied by your machine manufacturer.

• Machining Cost - This is the total machining cost including labor, facilities, machine,etc. Measured in currency units/hour. This is used in determining the amount of cost is incurred to run a CAM program on this machine.

 

 

CAM Machine Manager Form

 

Use this form to define the axis information of the active machine displayed in the CAM Machine Manager Form. This form and settings are displayed when the Axes button from that form is selected.
 

1. Complete the form by entering the maximum, minimum, and home location values for the X, Y, Z and A, B, and C axes for the active machine.

2. When you are done, pick the close button in the upper right corner to close the form.
   
    

 

 

 

CAM Machine Manager Form

 

Use this form to define text which is automatically inserted into NC programs to perform various operations for the active machinedisplayed in the CAM Machine Manager Form. The sequence files have the extension ".def" by default. These files should remain located in the "/output_def" sub-directory of your VX install directory.

 

If you copy these files to your User Directory and then modify the copies, the modified versions will be used. VX CAM will first look in your User Directory to locate the files. If found there, they will be used.
 

1. Enter the sequence file names with ".def" extensions (e.g., start_up.def) for each sequence type shown for the active CAM machine.

2. When done, pick the close button in the upper right corner to close the form.

 

 

 

 

Merge All Seq Files

 

Use this option to merge all sequence file into one Machine Definition File (i.e., machine_all.mdf).  This makes it easy to edit the sequence files from the Machine Manager.  See Machine Definition Files for more information.

 

 

 

CAM Machine Manager Form

 

The Machine Axes and Offsets Form allows for the management of table axes and will be used to determine how output will be created. Zero, One or Two axes may be defined. The orientation of each axis should be parallel to the machine's X or Y axis. By convention, the A axis is considered to be parallel to the machine's X axis and B parallel to the Y axis (but you may change this).

 

You may define a point through which each axis will pass. The order in which the axes are listed will define the order in which rotations will be applied for output. Follow the operational sequence and refer to the table and Notes section below.

 

1. Select an available axis for the active machine using the Axis button.

2. Adjust the X, Y and Z offsets for the selected axis if desired.

3. Pick Add to add the axis definition to the list or Reset to return the values to their previous values.

4. Once the available axes and offsets for the active machine have been define and added to the list, you can use the Edit, Delete, Up or Down options as defined in the table below.

5. Pick the close button in the upper right corner to close the form.

 

 

 

 

 

• List - The axes and offsets currently defined for the active machine are listed.
  
  The following buttons will operate on the highlighted member of the table axes list. Select an axis from the list to highlight it.

 

• X, Y, Z - Specify the X, Y and Z offsets for the selected machine axis.

• Edit - Copies the parameters from that axis into the input fields. After modifying the axis name or point coordinates, the Add button will assign these new values to the selected axis.

• Delete - Removes the highlighted axis from the table axes list.

• Up - Moves the selected axis up the list so that it will be the first axis to which a rotation will be applied in output.

• Down - Moves the selected axis down the list so that it will be the last axis to which a rotation will be applied in output.

• Axis - Select the button to display the available axes for the active machine. Select the axis to define.

• X,Y,Z and I,J,K - You can use these fields to define points through which the axis will pass.

• Add - If no axis is highlighted and the defined axis is not already in the table axes list, this new axis information is added to the list. If an axis is highlighted, you will be asked to confirm that these values should replace the highlighted axis.

• Reset - Restores the contents of the form to reflect the axes already defined for the active machine. The input fields are assigned their default values and any highlighted axis is unhighlighted.

• OK - Accept the changes and close the form.

• Cancel - Close the form without saving any changes.

 

Notes

 

• The Machine Axes are written out as part of the Machine definition when Machines are exported out in a library or when a Tooling List is requested from the NC Program Output Form.
   

• If Axes are defined for a machine, then they are always used for output. That is, table rotation commands will be written into the output CL file whenever necessary to align the part correctly with respect to the tool axis on the machine.