Probing Macros for Solidworks/Camworks use
Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2021 5:14 am
I am not sure how to word this. I am working with a person who wrote me a Post Processor so I can use SolidWorks/CamWorks CAM. It works and since CamWorks has a probing ICON I should be able to CAM the probe tool to do a function into the process.
Here is what I would like to do. I would program the probe in the CAM to find the stock center or a corner to set the WCS. Then do some removal of the stock in one side of the stock for operation1. The probe is called and the stock is re-positioned the cycle start is pressed, the probe finds the WCS from a feature to begin the removal of stock for operation 2. Then the same for Operation 3 and so on.
Is the Centroid control able to perform the functions needed? Or what info do I need to pass on to the person that is assisting me in trying to make it happen. Below is a reply I received form him that asks me for info and not sure where to direct him to. Thanks in advance.
Currently, CAMWorks Probing is designed around the Renishaw Inspection Plus probing system. I do not know which probing system you have nor which probing system the Centroid controller uses. I do know since your machine is a retro fit with this controller, I have concerns on if the machine and controller is configured to do probing. Additionally, the probing output essentially calls macro programs that are preloaded and configured on your machine. So that means you must have those macro programs preloaded and configured on your machine where it has all the necessary behind the scenes macros set and the probe wired and calibrated. Typically machine representatives come in and add this into the machine. Has your machine done that and have this ability? I would suggest hand writing a program to verify that and see if and how it runs. Just because the controller can do it, don't mean the machine can and is configured to do so.
I would need all the documentation that illustrates all the probing cycles that it offers, with a description of each parameter that needs set. Then we would review it and the compatibility between CAMWorks probing and then quote it accordingly. I'm not sure what this will take without seeing all the documentation on probing cycles and programs that run on this machine... but I've done probing on other machines where it can take a good day to write and implement into the post and I've done ones where it's taken 4-5 weeks. So what I'm saying is this could get rather involved.
For what it is worth, the functionality that CAMWorks is supporting for probing is that of a spindle touch probe, not to be confused with tool setters and it is currently only on mill machines. The probing cycles supported are:
• Single Surface (XYZ)
• Web/Pocket with or without island
• Boss with or without island
• Bore with or without island
• 3 point boss with or without island
• 3 point bore with or without island
In these above cycles are currently only supporting the ability to set the work coordinate fixture offsets (such as G54, G55, G54.1 P1, etc).
If you can gather up sample program that runs successfully and probes a part on your machine, a manual that illustrates each probing cycle and parameters, I can review it on my end to check for compatibility with CAMWorks.
Here is what I would like to do. I would program the probe in the CAM to find the stock center or a corner to set the WCS. Then do some removal of the stock in one side of the stock for operation1. The probe is called and the stock is re-positioned the cycle start is pressed, the probe finds the WCS from a feature to begin the removal of stock for operation 2. Then the same for Operation 3 and so on.
Is the Centroid control able to perform the functions needed? Or what info do I need to pass on to the person that is assisting me in trying to make it happen. Below is a reply I received form him that asks me for info and not sure where to direct him to. Thanks in advance.
Currently, CAMWorks Probing is designed around the Renishaw Inspection Plus probing system. I do not know which probing system you have nor which probing system the Centroid controller uses. I do know since your machine is a retro fit with this controller, I have concerns on if the machine and controller is configured to do probing. Additionally, the probing output essentially calls macro programs that are preloaded and configured on your machine. So that means you must have those macro programs preloaded and configured on your machine where it has all the necessary behind the scenes macros set and the probe wired and calibrated. Typically machine representatives come in and add this into the machine. Has your machine done that and have this ability? I would suggest hand writing a program to verify that and see if and how it runs. Just because the controller can do it, don't mean the machine can and is configured to do so.
I would need all the documentation that illustrates all the probing cycles that it offers, with a description of each parameter that needs set. Then we would review it and the compatibility between CAMWorks probing and then quote it accordingly. I'm not sure what this will take without seeing all the documentation on probing cycles and programs that run on this machine... but I've done probing on other machines where it can take a good day to write and implement into the post and I've done ones where it's taken 4-5 weeks. So what I'm saying is this could get rather involved.
For what it is worth, the functionality that CAMWorks is supporting for probing is that of a spindle touch probe, not to be confused with tool setters and it is currently only on mill machines. The probing cycles supported are:
• Single Surface (XYZ)
• Web/Pocket with or without island
• Boss with or without island
• Bore with or without island
• 3 point boss with or without island
• 3 point bore with or without island
In these above cycles are currently only supporting the ability to set the work coordinate fixture offsets (such as G54, G55, G54.1 P1, etc).
If you can gather up sample program that runs successfully and probes a part on your machine, a manual that illustrates each probing cycle and parameters, I can review it on my end to check for compatibility with CAMWorks.