[gizmo_454]

I have been writing programs for our E32 for the last year and have been doing so successfully. I have not, though, written a program in which I would have to re-chuck to make the part due to its length.

The part I am trying to make is is roughly 6 feet long. I understand the basics of doing an "inchworm" kind of deal to get the correct length. My dilemma is what to do with Z dimensions. For instance, if I tell the machine to go to Z12., that is not a problem. When I unclamp to move Z, where do I tell it to go? Back to 0? Do I do a coordinate shift? Is there an easy way to keep the dimensions straight?

Any ideas/help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[ProProcess]

as you are "inch worming"...

G0 Z10.
(HOLD THE BAR IN SOME WAY)
M7(OPEN COLLET)
G0 W-10.(BACK UP HEAD STOCK 10 INCHES)
G50 W10.(SHIFT YOUR Z COORDINATE SYSTEM)
M6(CLOSE COLLET)
(REMOVE THE BAR HOLDING)
G0 Z20.
(HOLD THE BAR)
M7(OPEN COLLET)
G0 W-10.(BACK UP HEAD STOCK 10 INCHES)
G50 W10.(SHIFT YOUR Z COORDINATE SYSTEM)
M6(CLOSE COLLET)
(REMOVE THE BAR HOLDING)
G0 Z30.
(SO ON AND SO FORTH)

(AT THE END )
G50 W-{TOTAL OF ALL THE APPLIED SHIFTS}(CANCEL ALL SHIFTS)
M7(OPEN COLLET)
G0Z0(OR WHATEVER END POINT YOU USE)

[gizmo_454]

Excellent! That was not so difficult. Citizen made it sound lots more difficult than that! Thank you very much!

Mike

[ProProcess]

You're welcome, I hope it works out for you.

[MCImes]

My tsugami only has a 3" travel on the main so I will pull with the sub at the same time as I move back on the main allowing me to regrip 8" at a time instead of 3. This might work well for you considering you have a 6' part. It will save you a few pulls at least.

Also, if your bar is slightly short does that mean you would get 1 part per bar? if so thats funny.

It looks like this for me:

M505 (wait code for sub to approach)
M510 (sub in place)
G0 Z3. (max z)
M20 (sub close)
G4U.4 (wait)
M11 (main open)
G4 U.4 (wait)

M511 (sub moves back 5")
G0 W-3. (main back to max z)
M512 (sub in place, ready for main to clamp)
G50 W8. (3" on main + 5" on sub)

M10 (main close)
G4 U.4 (wait)
M21 (sub open)
G4 U.4 (wait)
G0 Z11. (8" pull+3" max z stroke on main)
repeat

[gizmo_454]

Actually, the finished part is just about 6-1/2 feet long, so, yeah. Only 1 part per bar. Fortunately our customer sent us material that is about 1 foot longer than the finished dimension so we have something to hold on to for parting off to the correct length.

Mike

[MCImes]

just thought of this too... how are you measuring the length? whats the length tolerance on a 6' part?