Adding custom buttons to operations to draw from database

[jordan83]

I am working on customizing an EDM operation and post. I would like to use something like the standard milling "set machining data" button. I want to build a data base in excel and have the button pull EDM machining parameters from the data base based on tool diameter and work piece material. I know how to set this up to just have the post pull from the database, but I want the operator to have the choice to use the defaults or to alter them based on machining scenario. I attempted doing this with UDEs. The problem I have doing it that way, is I don't think it is possible to write to the UDE dialog boxes once added to the operation. It seems I can only pull variable info from them and not assign values to the dialog boxes themselves. Basically, when the button is pushed, it would automatically populate the boxes with the default values. If the operator chooses to, they can use the defaults or alter. Hope this makes sense! I attached a pic of an example that represents something Id like to incorporate into the operation dialog.

Perhaps I could just alter the standard "set machining data" button and calculation?

 

[markrief]

I think this would be simpler and safer to do from outside the operation, instead of from the operation dialog. The user would select the operation, then hit a button to run an API program (vb journal). That program can do whatever you want, and when finished, set operation parameters, or add a UDE.

Mark Rief
NX CAM Customer Success
Siemens PLM Software

 

[jordan83]

that makes sense. At first thought I'm not sure how that method would work if there were multiple operations. I'll have to start experimenting to see what I can figure out.

If I have existing ude's with user input boxes, is it possible to use API to write values to those boxes. I assume that I cannot write values into a ude dialog box with API but only pull from the variables associated with them.


I was thinking if I can write to a UDE dialog box with API, I could make the cutting parameter setting operation dependant.


Thanks for all the help!