Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: programming by hand

Hi Doug:
I do a lot of prototyping too, mostly plastics.
I've used a mix of CAM and hand written code since the beginning of my
efforts.
Some stuff like milled threads is much easier to program by hand. Macros
and parametric programs usually work out better for me by hand too.
Probably as much a result of laziness on my part as anything else (I HATE
writing posts for CAM programs...they're so damned arcane).
For most stuff that has any geometry to it, I go straight to Mastercam or
Featuremill 3D.
I really like being able to run those cool simulations to make sure that I
am actually drilling the hole in the upper right corner instead of the lower
right corner.
I can still comp the cutters in the control just like you can with canned
cycles.
I have a nice smooth system for getting the code into the mill, so it's no
problem for me to run it in the CAM system.
If I have to make time on the machining, I always end up editing the code by
hand to get rid of the "crap" moves, and sometimes the code is unuseable the
way it comes out of the CAM system.
Having said that, I have gotten a LOT better at fooling the CAM system into
doing it my way, so I write a lot less garbage programs now than I used to.
I never did play with the canned cycles on my machine.

Cheers

Marcus

-----Original Message-----
From: dougrasmussen@... <dougrasmussen@...>
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com>
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2001 1:36 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: programming by hand

>Joe,
>
>No so sure I totally agree with you. Probably 98% of our programming
>for my 4 cnc's is done on the shop floor. I like to think we're
>pretty efficient. Most of our work is close tolerance prototype
>stuff.
>
>Given the modern graphical controllers with a good assortment of
>canned cycles, the need for CAM is diminished. Don't forget it's the
>exception to run into a part which is not made up of a few
>rudimentary shapes which can easily be handled by canned cycles.
>
>There's some great advantages of using the control's canned cycles
>also. It's very easy to modify the program (usually just one line of
>code to completely program a rectangular pocket including step
>milling, corner radius spec, plus a finishing pass, for example...
>that could easily equal 50+ lines of code from a CAM system), but one
>of the biggest advantages is the canned cycles use cutter radius
>compensation. So, if for whatever reason a feature does not come out
>on size it's easy to change it slightly by changing the cutter
>diameter in the tool offset table. Try that with a CAM generated
>program.
>
>And, yes, everyone will need a CAM system at some point. Irregular
>pockets are difficult using canned cycles. But, I think their need
>is overrated. On the other hand a CAD system is a must.
>
>Oh, yeah, here's another reason in favor of hand programming....you
>get to cut the parts the way you want not the way the CAM system
>wants.
>
>Comments?
>
>thanks,
>
>Doug
>
>
>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com, Joe Vicars <jvicars@c...> wrote:
>> It would only take about 40 hours of writing G-code "by hand" to
>offset
>> the cost of a decent CAM package. That's about 2000 bucks at
>average
>> billing rates.
>> Anything but the most rudimentary code writing would quickly run
>into
>> labor cost that would far outweigh the cost of CAM.
>> If your controller won't take a floppy or RS232 or whatever then
>that is
>> another matter, but then you probably need to upgrade the control.
>The
>> same amortization would apply to the control upgrade.
>> It just depends on how you cost out your time. Most hobbyists don't
>> bill their time as money, so a few hours of code writing is cheaper
>than
>> 500 bucks cash money.
>> Still, it is awfully inefficient with all the stuff available.
>> My $.02
>
>
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