[DIFF OVER]

Can BobCad support live tools? I thought is us to, but was told the new version does not. Can anyone validate this? Thanks in advance.

[tobyaxis]

Can BobCad support live tools? I thought is us to, but was told the new version does not. Can anyone validate this? Thanks in advance.

No Bobcad does not support live tooling for Multi-Tasking Lathes.

[Allen123]

BobCAD for lathe is only 2 Axis:

No C Y B programming.

From what I hear they are re vamping the lathe software at this time and adding some really needed tools and fixes.


I have been told for years they are coming out with live tooling but have yet to see that come to light. Maybe next year...

[PinMan]

While BCC does not support live tooling on the lathe, I do find it interesting that some of the post processors made by BCC do.

For example:
Taken from Fanuc 21i-TB LATHEPST File

30. Tool change for live tooling.
   n,coolant_off
   n_forced,rapid_move,"G28","U0.","W0."
   start_comment,comment1,end_comment
   start_comment,comment2,end_comment
   n,"M45"
   n,"G28","H0"
   n,rapid_move,"G54","G97","S100",t,live_spindle_on

31. Next operation same tool live tooling.
   start_comment,comment1,end_comment
   start_comment,comment2,end_comment
   n,"M45"
   n,"G28","H0"
   n,rapid_move,"G54","G97","S100",t,live_spindle_on

32. Start of live tool face milling.
   n,crl,xrl,coolant_on
   n,zrl
   n,"G98",s
   n,g112

33. End of live tool face milling.
   n,g113
   n,rapid_rplane_face
   n,"G98","M46"
   n,"G28","U0.","W0."
   n,optional_stop

34. Start of live tool face drilling & tapping.
   n,crl,xrl,coolant_on
   n,zrl
   n,"G98",s
   n,g112

35. End of live tool face drilling & tapping.
   n,g113
   n,rapid_rplane_face
   n,"G98","M46"
   n,"G28","U0.","W0."
   n,optional_stop

36. Start of live tool diameter milling.
   n,crl,xrl,coolant_on
   n,zrl
   n,"G98",s

37. End of live tool diameter milling.
   n,rapid_rplane_diam
   n,"G98","M46"
   n,"G28","U0.","W0."
   n,optional_stop

38. Start of live tool diameter drilling & tapping.
   n,crl,xrl,coolant_on
   n,zrl
   n,"G98",s

39. End of live tool diameter drilling & tapping.
   n,rapid_rplane_diam
   n,"G98","M46"
   n,"G28","U0.","W0."
   n,optional_stop

40. Live Tool Spindle forward.
   n,"M13"

41. Live Tool Spindle reverse.
   n,"M14"

42. End of program Live Tooling.
   n,spindle_off
   n,rapid_move,"G28","U0.","W0."
   n,"M30"
   "%"

[Allen123]

Yup! It looks like the post variables are there, just nothing in the software to use them.

I guess this is a good sign, at least we know they are working on it.