Some machines with Fanuc controller have tool tip programming mode G43.4. But this mode only provides tool tip linearization not full linear interpolation: the controller keeps the tool tip moving on a straight line, but performs constant interpolation of the rotary axes. If from start location to the end location there is large rotary [...]
Regardless of the CAM system used, programmers often omit to set the value of the tool length and/or diameter offset when programming toolpaths. CAM-POST can easily compensate for these slips by using the tool number as default offset number. This option can be set in the Questionnaire for both the length and diameter offsets. This [...]
Starting with build code 1405 of CAM-POST v20.0, users can now select several STL files and import them together inside the Virtual Machine model. From the Simulation menu, pick the option Construct Entity, then Import. In the file browser, select all the STL files you wish to import. Note that this strategy will only work [...]
The standard ICAM PPTables (inches and metric) included with the default CATIA installation may not be always up-to-date with the particular version of CAM-POST you are running. Therefore ICAM strongly recommends replacing them with the PPTable files provided with each release of CAM-POST. The following steps outline the procedure for updating the ICAM PPTables for [...]
When configuring a Virtual Machine model in CAM-POST, the users normally select which objects should be checked for collisions during machine simulation. However, some of these objects may be touching each other, therefore will be displayed as colliding. In such a case, users can disable collision detection between objects related to each other. This is [...]
Have you ever wondered how CAM-POST calculates feed rate values? The first step in computing the machine feed is to determine the velocity of the cutter as defined by the CAM system. The distance of the move (from one GOTO to the next) divided by the programmed feed (from the FEDRAT command) gives us the [...]
If you are using a CAM-POST floating license, you may encounter situations when your network configuration has changed and the license server needs to be refreshed. This may have happen for various reasons such as computers being moved from one location to another, or IT having changed your network settings. The procedure below outlines the [...]
Automatically applying the best path forward. BY RUSS WILLCUTT Jerry Gustafson, manager of NC programming at Valley Machine Shop, says that SmartPath saves him time both in terms of setups and reprogramming code every day Machine programmers and operators know that valuable production time is lost due [...]
On mill-turn machines equipped with a B-axis head, it is now possible to generate turning toolpaths where in addition to the X- and Z-axes, the B head can be used to control the turning tool orientation. This type of turning can improve the chip load and optimize the use of cutter nose radius compensation. The [...]
Using tool length to improve linearization "Linearization" is a function of post-processing, for machines with rotary axes, which subdivides a motion into smaller steps to ensure that the tool tip follows the path intended (i.e., a straight line). Many modern controllers have an RTCP function that does this automatically (e.g., Siemens TRAORI, Fanuc G43.5, Heidenhain [...]
