UDE in postbuilder 1

[Jaydenn]

Hi,
I'm using NX6

OK, I have no trouble creating a UDE in NX. I can even get it output in postbuilder no problem.

But the result is not what I want.

Here is what I need. Super simple.

I need to have a "safe tool change" position in my program.
This position is different for every program(fixture dependant, tool length dependant, etc..)
What I want to do is this; Create a user defined event where I can input an X and Y coord.(one time only!!!!!) and then using the post, have this X&Y coord. output BEFORE every M06 line.

How can I do this?

It would seem that if I put the UDE in the "Program group" it is only available in the start of program event.

How can I define these variables to be active for the entire program?
Also, is there a trick to get it to output BEFORE the M06? no matter how I order the events in postbuilder nothing ever outputs before the M06.

Hope this makes sense.

J

NX 6.0.5.3

 

[shags72]

Well I will try to answer this.


I need to have a "safe tool change" position in my program.
This position is different for every program(fixture dependant, tool length dependant, etc..)
What I want to do is this; Create a user defined event where I can input an X and Y coord.(one time only!!!!!) and then using the post, have this X&Y coord. output BEFORE every M06 line.

How can I do this?


RESPONSE
If you want this to only change once per program, create and set a ude to these special coordinates. Then in the auto tool change area I would create a block template that the words would all be optional so that it wouldn't error if not set.

It would seem that if I put the UDE in the "Program group" it is only available in the start of program event. Not necessarily true.

Response
If you global these they will be available throughout the program.

How can I define these variables to be active for the entire program?
Also, is there a trick to get it to output BEFORE the M06? no matter how I order the events in postbuilder nothing ever outputs before the M06.

Response
If you are doing your tool changes in the auto tool change area, you can use the tool change marker to have your ude's used before tool change, but it will come before anything in the auto tool change area. If you aren't talking about ude's then all you do is set blocks of desired code before your actual tool change line of code inside the auto tool change area.

If these comments aren't what you are talking about then you need to give code examples and explanations on what you want and how you want to get it whether through ude's or just post coding.

 

[Jaydenn]

Shags,

I actually already did every, single thing you posted...

It doesn't work. Thats the issue.

1st off, No, I need the position to occur on every tool change. This is why I want to develop a UDE. So I can easily do this if necessary. Also, without custom programming there is no way to get linear motion before the tool change.

2nd, all my variables are Global. But it still doesn't work. That's a big part of the problem.

3rd, I know the UDE works. That's not in question. There are no errors there.

That being said,

OK, scenerio 1. UDE set in the main program group.
I have a block template in the START OF PROGRAM event. Works Perfectly.
I put the same block template in the AUTO TOOL CHANGE event. No output.

Why won't the UDE see the global variables from program group?

Scenerio 2. UDE set in the operation. same post as above.
Now, the post will output the code for the tool change (one operation only...) But in the WRONG spot!!! It totally ignores the order defined in the post. It outputs the UDE after the M06 even though the post has the event before the M06.
Also, this method is useless because I need to define the UDE in every operation thus defeating the whole point of making a UDE.

I know, it's hard to trouble shoot this kind of thing online.

I'm hoping someone has some insights.

J


NX 6.0.5.3

 

[joycejo]

Without having the post it will be difficult to see what has already been set that may be causing you problems.

Some things to check.
Make sure the tool change event under the Tool Path - machine control - Tool Change does not have the M06 this may be causing the M06 to be output as soon as there is a tool change.

Have you tried creating a mill control operation at the start of the program to contain the UDE with your safe start block?

Have you tried creating a second block or template to output the positions?



John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6.0.5.3

 

[Jaydenn]

John,

The post is a virtually untouched NX6, 3 axis post.
I have done NOTHING to it.

Just for fun, I created a new generic post, added my custom event before the M06, and just as expected, it output the code after the M6

This must be some sort of ingrained behavior in the base post preventing anything from coming out before the M06.

I did try making a mill control and it doesn't work either.

I can't upload and files because my company has banned me from using the internet on my work PC.

It just seems like such a basic thing... Move the machine to a specific(but variable...) point before a tool change... Why is it so difficult(rhetorical question)?

J

NX 6.0.5.3

 

[shags72]

How are you creating your ude's? Using postbuilder interface or editing the cdl? If you are editing the cdl, are you upleveling and globaling the variables to make them available throughout the program? Like John said it is hard to blindly shoot at a problem without seeing some code and know where it is placed.

 

[Jaydenn]

Shags,

Well, In order to have the UDE appear in the NX side, You need to edit the "ude.cdl"
So I did that.

In Postbuilder, I created the process that is triggered by the UDE.

I am unaware of any way to make a UDE from postbuilder. Is it possible?

I have no idea what "upleveling" is. An explaination would be great.

I'm sorry I can't provide more info. I cannot upload anything, I cannot follow any links, I am totally locked out except for this site. Stupid Managers who know less than nothing...

Jay.



NX 6.0.5.3

 

[joycejo]

OK then don't use the auto tool change event

Put all the "start up" blocks in the Initial Move event.
Place your positioning Proc first then an MO6 etc..

I share your frustration with PB and NX - It's a blessing and a curse!

John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6.0.5.3

 

[miked64]

Jaydenn,
I am doing exactly what you are asking for but setting a hard number in X and Y. I have a G90 X0. Y7. move before the M06. if you dont want the hard number moves i also have a post that outputs G90 X#500 Y#501 before every tool change. the operator determines what positions he wants the tool change to occur at so in the begining of the post i have a M00 the stops and the operator message reads enter values wanted for safe tool change #500 is X , #501 is Y
then they set #500=0. #501=7. or whatever other values they want.

 

[Jaydenn]

theginz,

That's it. That's how I'm going to do it.

Only I'm going to add one thing. I'll use my UDE to set the variables on the CNC.

So simple.

Thanks,

J

NX 6.0.5.3

 

[miked64]

check with your machine builder to make sure you dont use variable numbers that are set for certain commands for the machine. #500 -#600 numbers are generaly safe.

good luck

 

[joycejo]

I would stay above #600 Many of the renishaw routines use #500 variables

John Joyce
N.C. Programming Supervisor
Barnes Aerospace, Windsor CT
NX6.0.5.3

 

[miked64]

thats why I stated to check the machine, we have renishaw routines useing #800 , #600 , and #400
variables, also other machines are useing #800 variables for tool change and tool breakage
detection. you should be able to find a couple to use as a standard if you choose that path.
I find it to work well as our shop is always changing what machine parts will go to, some
have roatarys par. to x, some par. to y, if its a 3 axis job on a 4 axis mach, ect..
the operator can simply determine the safe pos he/she would like to use.
However every situation and shop is differrent.

I can send output if you would like

Good Luck

 

[Jaydenn]

No need for sample code.

I've got it all done and ready to go. Works great.

Thanks for the suggestions.

J

NX 6.0.5.3

 

[shags72]

I am sorry but was on vacation. In NX 6 and newer you can add ude's inside of postbuilder in the machine control area. That is why I was asking if you were using this feature as it is handled differently than when you do not use that feature. Here is an example of 2 ways to do a ude that I have posted before and seemed to help some people. I know you figured this out but figured I would post this to see if would help you later.


Shags72