[jamessiffel]

I am hoping to start a brainstorming session by asking what are some of the ways you guys are utilizing the "open architecture" side of the controller? Basically the Windows capabilities, I am familiar with most of the obvious uses but I've been reading different posts here and there stating tons of different ideas and was hoping to get a good discussion rolling from everything from the programming to the communication(rs232, email,alerts, maybe even live tech support chat?) to any and all possibilities! Thanks ahead of time to all you guys who give and share unselfishly so that we all can move forward and become even better at what we do! P100 controllers can be included!! And any juicy info on the next generation, the P300!

[Tancuda]

Good idea "jamessiffel",
I have some experience with the U100L, and been working with the P200L for one month now , sounds very good, but would really
need advice on how the machine "think". I'm only working with the one touch IGF (process decide), I've been throught a lot of parameters to set up the machine nicely, I have over 150 tool data in the tool registery, it's pretty
good now, but could need some tweaking again.
So my question for expert in that kind of programming would be : What is the difference (for the machine) between HSS drill or Carbide drill in the tool data registry if I enter the good speed and feed for both ? Which drill will take the machine if they are the same diameter after the process decide ? One thing I know now (after trying to know for many year) is that with a carbide drill in a blind hole the machine will generate an end-mill after the drill, I suppose to remove the angle left by the drill, but in the data of that drill the angle is 180 degrees !! If I use HSS drill, no end-mill is generated !!
I'm comfortable to answer some question too, but excuse my english, it's not 100 % good.

[Tancuda]

Too bad there's no answer, I've search the net for "Automatic decision"
programming with IGF, but no luck, it seems that not too many people are
programming this way, but when the tools and the parameter are set,
that's so easy to get all the process generated in a second with the tools you want, and the way you want the machine to cut.

I'll keep watching .....

[OkumaWiz]

I've pretty much used one touch as "re-touch IGF. Use auto decide to get good code fast and then use that base to create what you actually want. You can also skip the auto decision and create programs like old IGF , but much more efficiently since there are less screens and more capability with One touch software. If you spend enough time in "parameter hell" you can get One touch to think like you do, but getting there is challenging to say the least.

I've since switched to using a cad/cam since I can import solid models and post for more machines, and use it's report generator to make XL setup sheets. I then use the P control and XLVIEWER on the control to view the sheets. Still working on going wireless so that I can print and send/recieve e-mail or order pizza directly from the machine. :-)

Other than that I do use the USB to upload/download with a flash drive. and have hooked up a mouse just for fun.

Wouldn't recommend playing with upgrades though or you can mess things up pretty fast. Just my 2 cents worth.

Best regards,

[Tancuda]

Hi guys,

would like to know what would be the best way to program
this shape (see drawing attached). I want to program it by
adding process (one touch igf), and leave stock on X and Z .
I want to use a round tool.

So I use "ROUGH OD ←", or can I use "COPY" ?

Tool: Round or Multi fonction ??

Tool Tip ?

Any special parameter to set ?

Thanks

[OkumaWiz]

For right portion to top of "bump" use rough OD process. For left portion use groove OD and define groove to include the radius to the top of the bump. One touch should be able to do the auto decide if defined like that.

Best regards,

[Tancuda]

Like your idea, I'll give it a try.

And do you think I can use Rough OD → for the left portion ?

Thanks OkumaWiz.

[OkumaWiz]

No I don't think that will work because of the wall on the left side. If you we're processing the shaft between centers with out the wall on the left side, I believe you could do the rough OD ->.

Best regards,

[Algirdas]

do you think I can use Rough OD → for the left portion ?
no way with IGF. even manually built GM code part program can fail when approaching or retracting the tool. The wall is an obstacle on rapid approach/ retract path

[Tancuda]

Hi, like to know if everyone has the same problem on the p200l(a),

When you create a wide OD, ID or face groove process, you set the tool data :
tool lenght, tool width, offset#1 and 2 etc, after that, in the offset page,
under "TOOL SHAPE", in the upper left corner I select the station number of the tool and all data in there should update (that's what a saw in the manual), but in my control only the upper data will update, tool lenght, tool width, but not the 2 offsets !!!!!! So if I do a graphic simulation in "machine lock" the groove is not representative, the real part will be ok but it's confusing.

Any idea ?

[Bodaddy]

We dont use the auto decide part of igf. We have also spent a considerable amount of time in parameter hell as well lol.
We do how ever use the crap out of process record / call function! We use for any thing needed to be manualy G-coded, all labeled (so i can remember 6 mo down the road lol) & most based off of a few common variables.
What i like the most about it is if you have muliple processes that you need to insert you just make your universal "base" program & walla!
You can label these what ever you want so its easy to remember.
A few examples are: barfeed program (w/ top cut)
barfeeder push only (no top cut) we schedule these as well
use sub spindle as a puller
transfer part to sub spindle
zero shift offset loop
ect..
Now i realize that you can copy & paste or call a sub program, but in 3 button pushes you have a base g code program that is now ready to be set up for each individual part! No more forgeting to change a sub program or having to go find it.

We have an older LC30 with out igf that we program from our newer one. All of our machines are networked, we use an old pc to send programs to the older LC30. We only have one seat of mastercam, but you can keep mastercam editor open with out having the dongle in that particular pc. This is how we open, edit & send to our older machine.
I hope this helps some one.

[Algirdas]

tool length, tool width, but not the 2 offsets
Let me guess. The data on tool offset page is managed manually (or by means of touch setter) and it's necessary for cutting accuracy. It could be corrected on the flow.
The tool shape page contains some settings used for animation (and collision avoidance). The data on this page maybe omit - the machine will work without it.
Take care - check this in safe mode. I don't know if this is true.
And one more thing.
Check according manual, where you set tool offset itself - dimension, and where you set number of tool offset. You can use T010203 which means tool 3 in the turret with offset number 2 and nose radius compensation 1.
It's easy to check, don't take my word as final truth

[Jashley73]

In my previous experience using a P200 control, we had the machine wired into the network, and our program files were stored on the company's file server. To import part programs for a new job (up to 200 or more individual part programs) we'd simply open two different "My Computer" windows, highlight our program files on the server, and drag them into the machine's memory folder. And any editing done at the control could be saved and updated in the same way. It was a very, very sweet way to transfer files.

Oh yeah, and of course playing with MS Paint using the touch screen while a long part ran...