The CAM Plan Manager is used to interface with the Output Manager using standard Object Editing techniques.  Right-click on Output in the manager tree and select Edit or simply left-click on Output to display the CAM Output Manager Form (see below).  All output functions are accessed from this form.

 

 

 

Here are the basic steps for organizing tool path operations for output.  Refer to the additional topics in this section for more detailed information.

 

1. In the CAM Plan Manager tree, left-click on Output to display the CAM Output Manager Form.

2. Select the Organize Tab if its not already displayed.

3. Use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to arrange your tool path operations in the order that you want them verified or output.

4. Review your operations to see if there are any that you want to suppress from being output.  Use the Suppress and Unsuppress buttons as needed.

5. Use the Edit and Inquire buttons if you need more information or to edit any operations using the CAM Tool Path Editor.

6. When you are done organizing your tool path operations, pick Dismiss to close the form.

 

 

 

Here are the basic steps for verifying tool path operations.  Refer to the additional topics in this section for more detailed information.

 

1. In the CAM Plan Manager tree, left-click on Output to display the CAM Output Manager Form.

2. Select the Verify Tab.

3. Review the Components section.  If you used the CAM Component Manager to insert an assembly with the proper CAM Class Attributes assigned to each component (e.g., part, stock, table, clamp, etc.), the Components section will be filled automatically.  If not, complete this section now.  You can set the CAM Class Attributes at the Part Level for each component part by selecting Attribute>Part...

4. Pick Start Verify to begin the session.  The tool is shown in its retracted position and the stock is shown in its initial state.

5. From the Solid Verify Session Form set the options as desired.  For example, you can skip suppressed operations.  Select the Options button for additional options. 

6. On the Solid Verify Session Form use the left slider to control the speed of the session.  Move the slider all the way to the right for a rapid session.  The slider on the right controls the rendering interval.  Move this slider all the way to the left for vary large or complex verifications.

7. Pick the Run Simulation icon .  You can use the other icons on this bar to step forward, reset and rapidly skip to the end of the current cut or to the end of the current operations.

8. When you are satisfied that the tool path operations perform as desired, you can close the Solid Verify Session Form and then pick Dismiss to close the CAM Output Manager Form.

 

 

 

As material is being removed during Solid Verify sessions, the freshly cut stock boundaries will inherit the color of the tool used to remove the material at those locations. The color of the tool will change based on the feed rate mode (e.g., engage, cut, retract).  The table below shows the colors assigned to the feed rate modes and thus the tool.

 

These are also the default colors used when Standard is selected for the Display Mode on the Appearance tab of any tool path definition form.  See Tool Path Analysis & Appearance Options for more information.

 

 

 

 

Here are the basic steps to output tool path operations.  Refer to the additional topics in this section for more detailed information.

 

1. In the CAM Plan Manager tree, left-click on Output to display the CAM Output Manager Form.

2. Select the Document Tab.

3. Complete the identification fields in the upper part of the form.  You can also add a comment to the output files, skip suppressed operations or output only the active operation.

4. Enter a name for the output files or pick the folder icon to select a file using the File Browser.  By default, files are output to your user directory.

5. If you want to display the output in a separate window check the Display Output box.

6. You can output four types of files, each with the same file name but different file extensions.  They are:
    

   Output	File Name
   NC Program	file_name.cl
   G and M Codes	file_name.flp
   Tooling List	file_name.tl
   Operation List	file_name.op

    

   By default, output is from the VX Flex Post Fanuc 10 post-processor. Different configurations (other than the Fanuc10) can be created to customize the output for different controllers.
    

7. Review/test the output files as needed.

8. Pick Dismiss to close the form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use the Organize Tab to organize your tool path operations for verify sessions and for output.  See Basic Steps for Organizing Tool Paths for Output above for more information.  Each option and the functionality of the form is documented below.

 

 

Tool Path Operations List

 

This window lists the tool path operations currently calculated for the setup. Each entry shows the name of the operation and the tool associated with the operation.

 

 

Mouse Button Functionality

 

Lift-click selects an operation and highlights it in the graphics window.  The operation must be visible before it can be highlighted.  If the operation is hidden, right-click on the operation (in the CAM Plan Manager tree) and select Show/Hide to show it. See Operation Specific Functions in the CAM Operations Manager for more information.

 

Right-click on an operation and select one of the following functions.

 

• Screen Pick - Allows you to select a tool path from the graphics window and its corresponding operation in the list will be highlighted.

• Edit - Displays the Tool Path Editor Form to edit the selected operation.

• Sort Oprns - Displays the Sort Operations Form for rule-based sorting of processes containing many operations.

• Inquire - Displays the Inquire Operation Form displaying information about the selected operation.

 

 

Other Options

 

• Move Up - Move up one operation in the list.

• Move Down - Move down one operation in the list.

• Suppress - Suppress the selected operation.  It will be enclosed in (   ) in the operations list.  There are options to skip suppressed operations from t-he Verify and Document Tab.

• Unsuppress - Unsuppress the selected operation.

• Edit - Displays the Tool Path Editor Form to edit the tool path associated with the selected operation.

• Sort - Displays the Sort Operations Form for rule-based sorting of processes containing many operations.

• Pick - Allows you to select a tool path from the graphics window and its corresponding operation in the list will be highlighted.

• Inquire - Displays the Inquire Operation Form displaying information about the selected operation.

• Dismiss - Close the form.

 

 

 

Use the Verify Tab to setup and run solid verify sessions of tool path as they are listed in the Organize Tab of the form.  See Basic Steps for Verifying Tool Paths for more information.  Each option and the functionality of the form is documented below.

 

 

Components

 

• Stock - Displays the Stock Form for Solid Verify. Use this form to define the stock for the solid verify session.  You can use a component in the setup of class "Stock" or work pieces saved from previous verify sessions.

• Target Part - Defines the target part for the solid verify session. Select a component part from the list and pick Accept.

• Attachment - This lists the currently defined attachments. Select the attachment to include in this session. Attachments are defined using the CAM Component Manager class attribute.
   

 

 

 

Other Options

 

• Start Verify - Begin calculating the session. The Solid Verify Session Form will be displayed. The "% complete" status of the calculation is displayed in the text input field.

• Dismiss - Closes the form.

 

 

 

Use the Document Tab to create CAM output files necessary to run machining centers and document the tools and operations used for the setup.  Output is generated based on the tool path operations listed in the Organize Tab of the form.  See Basic Steps for Outputting Tool Paths for more information.  Each option and the functionality of the form is documented below.
 

 

 

Output Parameters

 

Part Id

This field refers to an identification number (e.g., part # or job #).  This id is appended to the start section of the NC Program output file. A default Part Id is assigned if one is not provided.

 

 

Programmer

This field refers to the programmer's name or initials.  This name is appended to the start section of the NC Program output file (see above). A default name is assigned if one is not provided.

 

Tool Path Space

Specifies the tool path space for the output file(s). Enter the following:

 

• Machine - The machine coordinate space is used (default selection). If there are table rotations or head attachments required for the program, only the "machine" option will be allowed.

• Local - The local setup coordinate space is used.

 

Tool Changes

Specifies if tool changes should be specified in the output files. Pick the button repeatedly to select either output or suppress tool changes.

 

Speeds/Feeds

Specifies if spindle speed and feed rates should be specified in the output files.  Pick the button repeatedly to either Output or Suppress speed and feed rates.

 

Tool Num

Specifies the identification of the tool for output files.

 

• Station Id - If the tool is defined in the tool changer of the active CAM machine, the location of the tool shown on the Machine Tool Changer Form is used.

• Tool Id - The value displayed next to the id# button on the CAM Tool Manager Form for each tool is used.

 

Coolant

Use this option to over-ride the coolant mode (specified in the Tool Properties Form) at the time of output.  Select From Tool, Flood, Mist or Off.  If you select From Tool, the coolant mode will be set according to the Tool Properties as each is used.  You can also enter a custom coolant mode (e.g., mist3) directly into the input field.  The custom input will appear in the coolant mode for output.

 

Comment

This option allows you to provide a comment to be output at the start of the output program.  This comment is maintained in a variable "PROG_COMMENT."  It has been added to the file "output_def\start_up.def" as a PPRINT statement.  You can enter the comment here or edit "output_def\start_up.def" as needed.

 

Skip suppressed operations

Check this box to skip any operations that are suppressed.  Use the Organize Tab to suppress and unsuppress operations for output.

 

Output active operation only

Check this box to only output the active operation. The active operation is the one currently highlighted on the Organize Tab.

 

Output individual files

This option writes out a separate CL file for each Operation (tool path).  Each is file is given a unique name.  These separate subprograms (CL file subroutines) are called from a Master CL Program.

 

• Append - This parameter construct the names of the individual files (subroutines) which will be written out.  Select "Name" or "Number."

• Name - The output file will have the operation name appended to the "File Name" you specifies.

• Number - The "Start Number" is appended to the "File Name" and is incremented for each individual file written.

• Start number - If "Number" is selected, use this to specify the starting number for the sequence of output files.  This value should be an integer greater than or equal to "0".  The number of digits desired is inferred from the number of digits used for the start number.  For example, if the "Start number is "0070" then the first subroutine will be given the numeric identifier "0070" using 4 digits, the second subroutine will be "0071" and so on.

 

 

Output Files

 

File Name

Enter the file name for the output files. You can output four types of files, each with the same file name but different file extensions.  By default, the output files are located in the CAM output directory defined in the Files tab of the VX Configuration Form.

 

Output	File Name
NC Program	file_name.cl
* G and M Codes (FlexPost)	file_name.flp
* G and M Codes (IMSPost)	file_name.ims
* G and M Codes (Flexipp)	file_name.flx
* G and M Codes (PostWorks)	file_name.acl
Tooling List	file_name.tl
Operation List	file_name.op

 

* By default, output is from the VX Flex Post Fanuc 10 post-processor. Different configurations (other than the Fanuc10) can be created to customize the output for different controllers.

 

Refer to the Notes section below for more information.

 

If the "Write out individual files" option is selected (even if there is only one tool path), a Master CL file is written out also.  It is given the exact file name specified in the "File Name" field.  Its contents are simply the "CALSUB/" instructions necessary to call each of the CL files written out for the individual tool paths.  If subroutines identifiers are Numbers, comments are added to the Master CL file indicating the original operation names.

 

Display Output

Check this box If you want to display the output in a separate window.

 

Display Output Window

 

File number - If "Output individual files" (see above) is selected, use this option to navigate through multiple output files.

Display - Display the out data is it is not already displayed.

 

NC Program

Generates and outputs the NC program output file. The NC Program is output in ASCII format. You can edit an NC Program using a text editor, however it is not recommended since the changes will be lost if the program is regenerated. Instead, use the Edit option on the Organize Tab and the Tool Path Editor Form.

 

Sample NC Program Output

 

G and M Codes

Generates the G and M code output file. The file extension used depends on the post-processor selected on the Machine Programming Details Form. The file name extensions are as follows:

 

• PostWorks (*.acl)

• FlexPost (*.flp)

• Flexipp (*.flx)

• IMSPost (*.ims)

 

You can modify the configuration file "OutputExtNames" located in the "\output_def" folder of your VX install directory to set a desired extension for your output files.

 

Sample G and M Codes Output

 

Tooling List

Generates a tooling list output file that contains information about the machine details, axis limits, sequence file parameters, programming parameters and all of the parameters of each tool used.  This information is gathered from the CAM Machine Manager and CAM Tool Manager for the active setup.

 

Sample Tooling List Output

 

Operation List

Generates an operations list output file that contains information about each operation performed during output.

 

Sample Operation List Output

 

 

Notes

 

Third party post-processors are started from VX via a script called runpost.
The steps involved in adding a post-processor to runpost:

 

1. Add your post-processor in the file "PostProcessors" in the dir "cam_config".

2. Select an extension name and make an entry in the file "OutputExtNames" in dir "output_def".

3. Modify the script "rpunost" to include your post-processor.
   Arguments accepted by runpost:
   $1 = input source NC program from VX (*.cl)
   $2 = requested post-processor
   $3 = requested configuration for post-processing
   $4 = filename for outputting post-processed program.