The NC Program dialog is available from either the Settings option on the individual NC Program context menu, or by selecting the Create NC Program option on the NC Program context menu.
The top portion of the dialog contains information relevant to the NC Program as a whole. The lower portion displays information relevant to a specific toolpath within the NC program (the currently active toolpath). For more information on the lower portion of this dialog see Selected Toolpath information (on page 44).
Options - displays the NC Programs tab of the Options dialog. For more information see Tools - Options - NC Program (see "Tools - Options" on page 333).
Root Name (on page 41) - defines the name and directory of the output file. There are a few additional special characters that you can insert here which will be automatically updated when you write the NC Program. This option is only useful for multiple output files.
Output File - the name and directory of the output file when writing all the toolpaths in an NC Program in one file. The same variables are
available as for Root Name (on page 41) , except %[counter] and %[toolpath].
This option is only available if you have deselected Write File for Each Toolpath on the NC Programs tab on the Options dialog.
Machine Option File - defines the appropriate machine tool option file (such as Fanuc11m).
Output Workplane - the workplane that will be used on the machine tool.
Program Number - sometimes a control requires a number at the start to the NC program file, this allows you to enter that number. For example for the Fanuc controls the file looks something like this:
% :1234
N10G91G28X0Y0Z0 N20G40G17G80G49 N30G0G90Z33.031
In this case 1234 is the program number.
Automatic Tool Alignment - is turned off when, for some reason, the output workplane is different from the toolpath workplane but no angular moves should appear in the NC program file, for example if the head has been manually turned through the required angle.
Part Name - is the name of the part which is being cut, it defaults to the same name as the NC program and can be used to appear at the beginning of the NC program file (depending on how the tape start is set in the machine option file).
Tool Value - determines whether the output is specified in terms of Tool Tip or Tool Centre. The tool centre is defined as the tool tip offset by the tip radius in the direction of the tool axis.
Connection Moves (on page 42) - determines how the tool moves from one toolpath to the next. In previous versions the tool moved to the new location and then rotated to the required orientation. This option is greyed out unless Multi-Axis toolpaths are present.
Toolpath List (on page 43) - displays a list of the toolpaths in the NC Program together with the tool, tool diameter, tool length and tool number. Selecting one or more of the toolpaths in this list will then
display the information about the toolpaths in the lower half of the dialog. Reset - resets the Tool Numbers to their original values. The Tool Number can be edited in the lower portion of the dialog and is displayed in the Toolpath List.
Tool Change - specifies when a Load Tool command is written. On Change - a load tool command will be written at the beginning
of the first toolpath and subsequently only if the tool geometry has changed. This will give a change if the tool length is different. Always - a load tool command will be written at the beginning of
On New Tool - a load tool command will be written at the beginning of the first toolpath and subsequently only if the toolpath uses a different tool entity from the previous toolpath.
Tool Number - defines which tool in the carousel, or reference number, to use.
As Specified - uses the tool number specified in the Tool entity dialog or else you must type a Tool Number in the Toolpath Output dialog. If a tool number has not been specified in any dialog the a ? is displayed in the toolpath list, unless it is the first toolpath in which case the tool number is assumed to be 1.
Automatic - numbers tool sequentially. The first tool is 1, followed by 2, 3, 4…. The tool numbers you edit behave like anchor points for the automatic numbering.
Tool Change Position - determines whether the tool change takes place before or after the connection move.
After Connection - the tool change takes place after the connection moves. This is the default behaviour and the only option in
previous versions.
Before Connection - the tool change takes place before the connection moves.
The Before Connection option should only be used after checking the DUCTpost option files and verifying the output
Root Name
Root Name - defines the name and directory of the output file. There are a few additional special characters that you can insert here which will be automatically updated when you write the NC Program. This option is only useful for multiple output files.
%[ncprogram] - inserts the current name of the NC Program when you write it.
%[counter] - inserts the next number (0, 1, 2, 3…) when you write it. %[partname] - inserts the current value of the Part Name field when
you write it.
%[toolpath] - inserts the current name of the toolpath when you write it.
%[workplane] - inserts the current name of the workplane when you write it.
%[path_from_opt] - inserts a pathname based on the option file in the NC Program when you write it. For example, all NC Programs postprocessed with brid.opt option file would be written out to the /PMILL project/ncprograms/BRIDGEPORT subfolder.
%[ncprogram.shortname] - forces the NC Program to have a maximum of 8 characters.
You can use more than one of theses at a time. For example you could have %[ncprogram]_%[toolpath]_abc. If the NC Program was 1 and the toolpath MultipleCuts the output file would be 1_MultipleCuts_abc.tap.
Connection Moves
Connection Moves - determines how the tool moves from one toolpath to the next. In previous versions the tool moved to the new location and then rotated to the required orientation. This option is greyed out unless Multi-Axis toolpaths are present.
You have the choice of:
Move, Rotate - the tool moves to the new location and then rotates to the correct orientation. This was the only option in previous versions of PowerMILL.
Rotate, Move - the tool rotates to the correct orientation and then moves to the new location.
Toolpath List
Toolpath List - displays a list of the toolpaths in the NC Program together with the tool, tool diameter, tool length and tool number. Selecting one or more of the toolpaths in this list will then display the information about the toolpaths in the lower half of the dialog.
The size of each column can be moved in a standard windows way by placing the cursor over the end of a column and dragging it to a new location.
The Number field is the Tool Number.
If the Number is surrounded by brackets, (2) it indicates that there is no tool change for this toolpath.
If the Number is preceded by an asterisk, * it indicates that Tool Number for this toolpath has been edited in the lower portion of this dialog.
If the Number is replaced by a ? it indicates that no tool number has been specified, but a Tool Numbering of As Specified has been selected.
You are not allowed to define the same Number for a tool as one that already exists for a different tool. The only time when this isn't the case is when you write a separate file for each toolpath, where all default tool Numbers will be 1. The first Tool Number in any file defaults to 1.
Selected Toolpath information
The lower part of this dialog displays information about the selected toolpath (or toolpaths). These can be selected either from the toolpath list or from the list of toolpaths in the NC Program in the explorer.
Tool - summarises the tool information defined when you created the tool.
ID - the user defined name or description allocated to the tool and added to the cut file.
Number - user defined tool number allocated to the tool and added to the cut file.
Gauge Length - the length from tip of the tool to the top of the holder. By default this value is calculated automatically in
PowerMILL from the Holder tab on the Tool dialog, but you can manually edit it here. If you do edit this value then, like the tool number, it is preceded with an *. This value is used for Multi-Axis calculation
Cutter Compensation (on page 45) - for most controls except the Heidenhain the actual value used for length and radius compensation are entered into the machine tool by the operator. This is done by typing the values into a register which is then accessed by a number in the NC program.
Drilling Cycle Output - saves drilling cycles as canned cycles. Coolant (on page Error! Bookmark not defined.) - allows you to specify the coolant:
None - no coolant output. Standard - coolant turned on. Flood - coolant on flood. Mist - coolant on mist. Tap - tap coolant on.
Air - air blast.
Through - coolant through spindle. Double - two coolant codes are allowed.
The coolant is always turned off at the end of a toolpath.
Add Commands (on page 47) - clicking on this button displays a dialog that allows you to specify commands and comments that will be inserted into the NC toolpath.
Output File - the name of the output file when writing all the toolpaths in an NC Program. The same variables are available as for Root Name (on page 41).
This option is only available if you have selected Write File for Each Toolpath on the NC Programs tab on the Options dialog.
Cutter Compensation
Cutter Compensation - for most controls except the Heidenhain the actual value used for length and radius compensation are entered into the machine tool by the operator. This is done by typing the values into a register which is then accessed by a number in the NC program.
For example, suppose you require a tool radius offset of 0.2 in the first toolpath and 0.4 in the second toolpath and set the radius offset number to 31 in the first toolpath and 32 in the second toolpath, the NC program file contains the codes G41 ... D31 in the first toolpath and G41 ... D32 in the second. Then type 0.2 into register 31 and 0.4 into register 32 and the values 0.2 and 0.4 will be used for the first and second toolpaths respectively.
Most people use the same number for the length offset number, the radius offset number and the tool number, for example they expect to see T5, H5 and D5 in the same toolpath. Alternatively the radius offset number may have a fixed connection with the tool number, for example, if the tool number is 5 the radius offset number is 35, if the tool number is 7 the offset is 37.This can be easily taken care of by the postprocessor.
Occasionally however it is not possible to do this, so PowerMILL has the ability to change the numbers if this is really required, but the default numbers are usually correct, and that the numbers are only used if length or radius compensation is being used.
Length - this is the compensation length on the machine and it will only appear on files post processed for the Heidenhain control. It enables you to alter the length of the tool in the NC toolpath by specifying a new tool length here. The tool length used in PowerMILL remains unchanged. If the length compensation is switched off the value 0 will appear in the file. If it is switched on the default is the tool entity length.
Length Offset Number - allows you to change the number in case the default numbers are not correct.
Radius - this is the ability to offset a toolpath at the machine controller by an amount stored in a particular offset register.
Compensation is added by issuing G41 (left offset) or a G42 (right offset) command at the beginning of the tool moves that require compensation. If you specify 2D currently a cutter compensation left code is issued. It is no longer possible to write normals and left/right codes in the same toolpath. So any option files which have cutter compensation left/right codes as well as the normals will have to be adjusted.
Radius Offset Number - allows you to change the number in case the default numbers are not correct.
3D Cutter Compensation - when On the specified toolpath is created with the contact normals details in it. This is essential when the machine tool does the 3D cutter compensation and PowerMILL outputs i, j, k vectors in the tape file. To turn 3D Cutter
compensation on for all toolpaths simply select all the toolpaths in the list and then select a Radius of 3D and check the Contact Normals option in the Calculation frame on the Tools - Options - Toolpath dialog.
Add Commands
Add Commands - clicking on this button displays a dialog that allows you to specify commands and comments that will be inserted into the NC toolpath.
Commands and comments typed in here will be added to the output file. Any line starting with / is assumed to be a comment.
Standard Message - defines where the standard messages generated by PowerMILL are output. There are three options: before a tool change; after a tool change; no messages are output.
Command/Comment - defines where the commands/comments you have added above are output. There are two options: before a tool change; after a tool change. If you enter a command here you must ensure that the option file is set up to expect the command.
Output File - defines the root name of the output file. This option is only available if you select Write File for Each Toolpath on the Option dialog. The Option dialog is available from the Options button on this dialog or from the Tools - Options - NC Program menu.