NX2 multi-axis, sequence mill

[pamccrac]

does anybody know if it is possible to Copy then Edit a toolpath? ie: create a toolpath to cut a 1" slot on OD of cylinder, then copy and reselect "drives" to cut 2" slot on OD 42 degrees away from 1" slot....

is there some association when the copy function is used to prevent selecting new drives and checks???

 

[wmalan]

You should be able to copy, paste, then edit any operation. Your saying you can't reselect the drive and check surfs in the copied operation? Perhaps your creating an instance? Even then, it would just prompt you that your changing the origional as well. If not, I think you should contact GTAC. Copying pasting and reselecting surfaces is pretty normal for UG.

What kind of messages do you get when you try to select?

--
Bill

 

[pamccrac]

"the processor is unable to compute a cut vector that keeps the tool within tolerance of the drive and part surfaces"

I continue to get this error message (after selecting new desired guides) unless I delete all steps after the engage step. Once all steps are deleted, the exact same steps are then re-created with the desired guides.


What is GTAC??

 

[wmalan]

It's not a problem of copying and pasting the op its an issue with the selection of the new drive and or part surface based on the existing engage from location amd or vector (I think).
The one thing about copying Seqmill is you pretty much must reselect all the way from the first engage move otherwise the tool is trying to come from the start location of the first slot. Does that make sense? Seqmill can be very fussy about this.

GTAC is UGS's Global Technical Access Center:

http://support.ugs.com/

I see you have a past message where you had some license questions and were given the Webkey address as well. Sounds like you need to pony up with some license money...

--
Bill

 

[pamccrac]

ok, but if I have already reselected the new engage point and vector, and the display shows it in the desired position and looking in the right direction, the only thing left is to pick the next desired check.... which is assigned to the next continuous path motion. This is where the error message comes up, when I try to accept this move. The display shows correctly from the engage point to the first drive, part, check positon. The next move won't take, unless I delete everything but the engage block. And then recreate it - identically - as to what I tried previously.

As to your suggestion to "pony up", in my previous posts you would see that I am a few weeks into a new job, new industry, and new geographical location (due to wife's relocation) where my previous experience is with primarily Catia V5 in the power generation and aerospace industry. Now working in the oil industry / drill tool technology, I'm learning this new package only to switch by the end of the year to Delcam. That is the plan of my new employer, which was recently bought out by a multi-billion $ company. As the merger continues, all NC code will be generated by Delcam. To top it all off, the programming manager resigned 6 months ago to leave a solid, yet selftought subordinate in charge. Now that is he and I to get the job done. At this point in time, this forum has been a better resource, for some questions, for now... ya see???? So learning the quirks of UG is my task until I get into Delcam with the proper training. I'm sure a license of UG Design and Manufacturing will be kept for legacy stuff as well. I don't want to ruffle any feathers, just yet... they seem to be getting the job done, I'm the new one here and trying to get Catia out of my mind so to speak.

My box shows Unigraphics NX, NX 2.0, V15, & V17 with my coworker stating that NX is what I should be using??? I assume that there are multiple license for these packages with Design Dept. maintaining them...

Now that I have shared my more recent life story, please bear with my remedial posts....

 

[wmalan]

Hmmm, sounds like there is something simple in Seqmill we're missing here. OTOH, can't you just use fixed contour or even Planermill? Just set the proper tool vector first. If the slots are not wrapping around the part why not? Those operations work great for any axis as long as it's a single axis. Just a though...

Sorry I missed your message previous about the job/sofware change...<inserting foot>... Until you switch to Delcam, if you have a design dept UG using it why not see if they have maintanence paid up? Heck, you can just shoot the file to UGS and they'll look at it and have a quick answer. Use the NX 2 version since it's the latest you have.

On a side note, I find it odd when companies break the design thru manufacture chain from a single system (a very robust one at that) to a translated environment. I'm in just the opposite position integrating NX in my company that previously used separate cad and cam. They've grown so fast they need a single system to capture data both upstream and down. I guess it's not for you or I to ask eh? <g>

Sorry I couldn't be of more help here.

--
Bill