CNC LATHE PROGRAM TIMES

[gogsie]

Can anybody lend a hand?
I am looking to purchase some software that will enable me to input existing cnc lathe programs and output them with a goal to achieve accurate cycle/operation times. I currently have over 10,000 cnc lathe programs (fanuc). In addition i have been given a budget of £3,000 ($4,500) but this budget is negotiable.

Thanks in advance,

Gogsie.

 

[steveh]

There are any number of programs out there for I/O of CNC programs. The former ProComm is one, EasyTalk another. These programs are not necessarily expensive. Go to

http://www.cncci.com

and check out some of the links to software there.

Steve

 

[knobhead]

Before you get carried away though, test out the result the program gives you against the real world. My only experience of this is the built-in timers on CAM programs, and they're always MILES off.

Excessive accuaracy is a sign of poor breeding. -Socrates.

 

[FrostySoft]

A few years ago I wrote software to time CNC lathe program for a Swiss style machine. I've considered doing something more generalized for all fanuc lathes. There are many factors to consider in generalizing this program. For example, each machine has different rapid speeds. In addition, determining the acceleration can be difficult. Timing a short rapid move may be difficult. M code execution times vary from machine to machine. Anyway, I'm always looking for interesting and challenging projects. Please send me more information about your needs.

 

[Mechineer]

In my opinion nothing can beat experience. I multiply my RPM by the feed rate(in/rev) to get in/min then divide the length of cut by the in/min to get cut the time in minutes then at 15% to this to account for any problems that may arise causing the cut time to increase. Note each tool will be different. I must agree with knobhead, most CAM systems are notoriously inaccurate.