How do I look ahead to see if I will have B axis cutting

[Lvee]

I have a Toshiba 4-axis mill with B axis cutting.
M10 (clamp) & M11 (unclamp) B axis

M10 is the default state of machine, meaning table will always unclamp, rotate and clamp after rotating.
I do not need to program M10 & M11.
We have never programmed M10 or M11 because we have always left the machine in M10 mode.

We now have a job with a lot of B axis cutting, so now the problem is very obvious.

If I only cut X-Y-Z everything is great, as below.
(ROUGH_BOTTOM_FACE)
S764M03
G57H901
G00X-16.3258Y17.0828
G43Z65.77H001
B0.0
Z50.77
G01Z50.52F22.92
X-12.0598
X12.0598
X16.3258
Z50.77
G00Z51.47

If I cut with B axis, machine will dwell prior to B cutting because of unclamping.
So that my cutting tool dwell and chatter for about 2 seconds.
If I add M11 (unclamp) before of after B-315.6076 rotation, machine will not hesitate during cutting.
(FINISHT_WALLS)
S9004M03
G57H901
G00X3.0099Y13.24
G43Z66.7116H002
B-315.6076
Z55.3116
G01Z51.9793F57.5
X.0099

X.0121B-315.6001F92.5
X.056Z51.9798B-315.4477
X.1Z51.9797B-315.2952
X.1439Z51.9798B-315.1428

Here is my wish list
1) I do not want to use a UDE in the start of events to control table clamping.
It would be to easy to forget when to turn clamping on or off.
2) I want the post to look ahead during this operation of cutting up to the next operation.
if the B axis does not change during any linear cut, output M10 in my initial move or my first move
3) If I did cut with the B axis, output M11 in my initial move or my first move
4) Getting M10 or M11 after the B is the easy part, deciding on which one is the tough part.

I have tried this, but variable_axis does not always cause a rotary change.
if { $mom_tool_path_type == "variable_axis" }

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Lvee

 

[joycejo]

You should be able the activate the Auto clamping at the start of the program. This should turn on and off the clamping codes when the post detects a 4th axis move.


John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6, NX7.5 & NX8.5
Vericut7.2.3

 

[Lvee]

I understand about auto clamp.
I want to set my clamp code relative to cutting that will happen during the complete operation.
Currently, I know that the unclamp code could happen in the middle of a cut.
The problem is that the machine will dwell waiting for the unclamp to happen.
I would want the cutting to start in unclamp state, with that the machine will not hesitate with any B cutting.

thanks for any input
Lvee

 

[joycejo]

Are you using Post Builder?

You can use the several mom variables to check if the 4th or 5th axis has changed.
mom_out_angle_pos and mom_prev_out_angle_pos for example.



John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6, NX7.5 & NX8.5
Vericut7.2.3

 

[Lvee]

I currently use these variables for the current cut.

What I would like to do is this

let's say my current $mom_operation_name is ROUGH_LEFT_SIDE_OF_AA
and all the cutting happens at B15.
I want to look up to the 2nd operation of cutting and know that the B axis never changed.
knowing that I would output a M10 in the first move or the initial move

my 2nd $mom_operation_name is ROUGH_RIGHT_SIDE_OF_AA
and all the cutting happens at B30
I would look ahead an do same as above, only use M10

my 3RD $mom_operation_name is ROUGH_CNTR_SIDE_OF_AA
this cutting has
X,Y cutting
X,Y,Z cutting
X,Z,B cutting, and so on.
I want to look up to the 4th operation of cutting and know that the B axis is changing during a cut only, not a rapid move.
knowing that I would output a M11 in the first move or the initial move

my 4th $mom_operation_name is ROUGH_POCKET_BB

 

[joycejo]

I don't think the mom_nxt variables will help with what your looking for.
Sounds like a lot of customization is needed to accomplish what you are looking for.


John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6, NX7.5 & NX8.5
Vericut7.2.3

 

[Lvee]

John,

Thanks for your input.
If I come across anything I will let you know.

Lvee