BobCAD-CAM Help Desk - The five questions posted most recently: BobCAD-CAM Help Desk http://www.bobcadsupport.com/techfaq <![CDATA[What are the updates in build 1465 ?]]>

Version 23 Build 1465 release Notes:


FIXES:

  • Printing:

    • Issues identified with GeForce 8 and 9 Series graphics cards in use on Windows Vista have been resolved and verified.

  • Geometry for Surfaces and Solids:

    • Surfaces and Solids associated with an operation now highlight in the workspace when the user clicks on the geometry item for a 3D Toolpath operation.

    • Corrected problem with the Remove function for Geometry. When Remove was selected the system would crash.

  • Options for Absolute/Incremental:

    • The options located in the Current Settings dialog for Absolute and Incremental coordinate mode have been corrected and linked to a posting variable for use in the Posting engine.

  • Profile:

    • Cases where geometry shapes were violated by the Offset Profile have been addressed.

  • Dimensions:

    • Dimension Point function now adjusts coordinates for Lathe Mode.

  • New Window Option:

    • Display Loss/Corruption due to selection of the New Window option has been addressed.

  • Surface/Solid creation tools:

    • Issues with irregular shapes coming from the Extrude function have been addressed.

    • Some issues with the use of the Solid Fillet function have been addressed.

  • Custom Colors:

    • The Custom Colors options have been corrected so that they save user defined colors to the registry. The customer is now capable of creating custom colors for Entities, Background, Selection, Highlighting and UCS display that are all independent of one another.

  • UCS Creation:

    • The New UCS Creation uses the active UCS as the reference plane, instead of the Top UCS as the reference plane.

  • Translate/Rotate Copy option:

    • These functions have been corrected, so that if the user selects the Copy option and inputs 0 for the number of Copies, the field will default to 1.

  • Posting Order:

    • Issues with operations not posting in the order that they appear in the CAM Tree have been handled.




ENHANCEMENTS:

  • Printing:

    • A New Print dialog has been added to allow the user more control over the output for high resolution printers.

    • Color support has been added to the printing of Solids. Solids and Wire frame will now print in the colors displayed in the workspace.

  • Toolbars:

    • A new Selection Mask toolbar has been added to the system to allow the user to modify the Selection Mask on the fly.

      • In addition, a new Dimension Point Mask option has been added to the selection mask options.

    • New toolbar options have been added for:

      • OK - This option is used in place of the OK option from the Right click menu.

      • Cancel - This option is used in place of the Cancel option from the Right click menu.

      • Modify to Current Linestyle - This option is used in place of the Modify to Current -> Linestyle option from the Right click menu.

      • Modify to Current Color - This option is used in place of the Modify to Current -> Color option from the Right click menu.

      • Modify to Current Layer - This option is used in place of the Modify to Current -> Layer option from the Right click menu.

      • Measure Entity – A new toolbar icon has been created for this function.

      • Measure Two Entities – A new toolbar has been created for this function.

      • Dashed-Linestyle to Solid-Linestyle – This option will change selected wireframe geometry to a Solid Linestyle

      • Solid-Linestyle to Dashede-Linestyle – This option will change selected wireframe geometry to a Dashed Linestyle.

  • Shortcuts: Two new shortcuts have been created in the system:

    • Spacebar – OK – This is used in place of the OK option found in the right click menu.

    • Esc – Cancel - This is used in place of the Cancel option found in the right click menu.

  • Verify Dialog:

    • The size and the last view orientation are now stored in the Registry for the internal Verify dialog.

  • Posting Status:

    • A Status bar has been added to display the posting progress in large programs.


CAM - MILL

  • High Speed Pocketing:

    • A new Smoothing Radius field has been added to the HSP to allow the user more control over how the tool enters into corners. The value for this field can be no larger than 45% and no smaller than 5%. The specified percentage is related to the tool diameter.

  • Slice Planar:

    • Material Entry – New Material Entry options have been added:

      • Plunge

      • Ramp

      • Spiral

    • Leads – the leads have been updated and simplified to include:

      • Plunge

      • Tangent with an Arc

      • Horizontal

    • Linking – the linking options have been expanded for Pro and Standard systems to include:

      • Horizontal – Vertical (Standard & Pro)

      • Follow (Standard & Pro)

      • Arc (Pro)

      • Loop (Pro)

    • Roughing – the Step Down option has been modified so that, when possible, the same area in a part will not be cut more than once unnecessarily.

    • Boundaries – New Boundaries have been added for the Slice Planar Operation

      • Top of Job – This field will allow the user to specify the maximum location for toolpath. Linking to other areas will occur as a Rapid move.

      • Bottom of Job – This field will allow the user to specify a floor, or a minimum location for the toolpath. No Toolpath will occur below this point.

    • Direction control has been added for Climb and Conventional Milling.

  • Slice Spiral:

    • Material Entry – New Material Entry options have been added:

      • Plunge

      • Ramp

      • Spiral

    • Leads – the leads have been updated and simplified to include:

      • Plunge

      • Tangent with an Arc

      • Horizontal

    • Linking – the linking options have been expanded for Pro and Standard systems to include two new options for boundary containment:

      • Follow – this option causes the toolpath to follow the 2D boundary definition along the surface of the part.

      • Retract – this option causes the toolpath to retract when the boundary is met and rapid to the next position in the toolpath.

    • Boundaries – New Boundaries have been added for the Slice Planar Operation

      • Top of Job – This field will allow the user to specify the maximum location for toolpath. Linking to other areas will occur as a Rapid move.

      • Bottom of Job – This field will allow the user to specify a floor, or a minimum location for the toolpath. No Toolpath will occur below this point.

    • Direction Control – Climb and Conventional options have been added to the operation that allows the user to change the orientation of the Spiral.

  • Slice Radial:

    • Material Entry – New Material Entry options have been added:

      • Plunge

      • Ramp

      • Spiral

    • Leads – the leads have been updated and simplified to include:

      • Plunge

      • Tangent with an Arc

      • Horizontal

    • Linking – the linking options have been expanded for Pro and Standard systems to include:

      • Horizontal – Vertical (Standard & Pro)

      • Follow (Standard & Pro)

      • Arc (Pro)

      • Loop (Pro)

    • Boundaries – New Boundaries have been added for the Slice Planar Operation

      • Top of Job – This field will allow the user to specify the maximum location for toolpath. Linking to other areas will occur as a Rapid move.

      • Bottom of Job – This field will allow the user to specify a floor, or a minimum location for the toolpath. No Toolpath will occur below this point.

    • Direction Control – Climb (CW) and Conventional (CCW) options have been added to the operation that allows the user to change the orientation of the Spiral.

  • Z-Level Rough:

    • Boundary – A Boundary option has been added to the Z-Level Rough operation to allow containment of the toolpath.

    • Material Entry – New Material Entry options have been added:

      • Plunge

      • Ramp

      • Spiral

    • Boundaries – New Boundaries have been added for the Slice Planar Operation

      • Top of Job – This field will allow the user to specify the maximum location for toolpath. Linking to other areas will occur as a Rapid move.

      • Bottom of Job – This field will allow the user to specify a floor, or a minimum location for the toolpath. No Toolpath will occur below this point.

    • Pocket Direction – Pocket In and Pocket Out options have been added to the operation that allows the user to change method of material removal.

    • Direction Control – Climb and Conventional options have been added to the operation that allows the user to change the orientation of the Spiral.

  • Z-Level Finish:

    • Boundary – A Boundary option has been added to the Z-Level Rough operation to allow containment of the toolpath.

    • Material Entry – New Material Entry options have been added:

      • Plunge

      • Ramp

      • Spiral

    • Leads – The circular Leads have been updated to allow the user to input an angle for the arc into the path. This field indicates the total sweep of the Lead In/Out.

    • Linking – the linking options have been expanded for Pro and Standard systems to include:

      • Horizontal – Vertical (Standard & Pro)

      • Follow (Standard & Pro)

      • Spiral (Standard & Pro)

      • Retract (Standard & Pro)

      • S-Link (Pro)

    • Linking on Boundary – Options have been added to handle toolpath and boundary intersections:

      • Follow – this option causes the toolpath to follow the shape of the 2D boundary while conforming to surface(s).

      • Retract – this option causes the toolpath to retract when the boundary is intersected and rapid to the next intersection in the path.

    • Boundaries – New Boundaries have been added for the Slice Planar Operation

      • Top of Job – This field will allow the user to specify the maximum location for toolpath. Linking to other areas will occur as a Rapid move.

      • Bottom of Job – This field will allow the user to specify a floor, or a minimum location for the toolpath. No Toolpath will occur below this point.

    • Pocket Direction – Pocket In and Pocket Out options have been added to the operation that allows the user to change method of material removal.

    • Direction Control – Climb and Conventional options have been added to the operation that allows the user to change the orientation of the Spiral.

  • Equidistant Offset:

    • Material Entry – New Material Entry options have been added:

      • Plunge

      • Ramp

      • Spiral

    • Leads – The circular Leads have been updated to allow the user to input an angle for the arc into the path. This field indicates the total sweep of the Lead In/Out.

    • Linking – the linking options have been expanded to include:

      • Horizontal – Vertical (Standard & Pro)

      • Follow (Standard & Pro)

      • S-Link (Pro)

    • Boundaries – New Boundaries have been added for the Slice Planar Operation

      • Top of Job – This field will allow the user to specify the maximum location for toolpath. Linking to other areas will occur as a Rapid move.

      • Bottom of Job – This field will allow the user to specify a floor, or a minimum location for the toolpath. No Toolpath will occur below this point.

    • Direction Control – Climb and Conventional options have been added to the operation that allows the user to control the direction of the toolpath.


CAM-Wire EDM

  • Tab Stop:

    • The Tab Stop has been enhanced to include an option for the wire to stop on the contour.


CAM-LATHE – The Lathe module has undergone a complete re-write including the toolpaths, feature dialogs and posting.

  • General:

    • Clockwise and Counter Clockwise options have been added to the operations for Spindle control.

    • The dialogs have been condensed to enhance usability of the operation.

      • The Posting Parameters field has been moved to the first page in the operations.

    • System Compensation - The System Compensation option has been enhanced to improve functionality and increase reliability.

    • Machine Compensation has been added to the operations allowing the user to select an Offset command for posting:

      • Off

      • Comp Left /G41

      • Comp Right /G42

    • The Tool Library has been updated:

      • When editing a tool the label no longer reverts to a default label when the tool orientation is changed.

      • When deleting all of the tools in the database, the system will no longer crash.

    • Tool Specification:

      • Dynamic Tooling – The tool image is now dynamic, so it is adjusted in the preview based on the user inputs.

      • Inscribed Circle Diameter – This field has been added so that the user can more accurately define the insert.

      • User Defined Tools are now drawn inside of the preview field within the feature for verification.

      • It is now possible to change the Cutting Angle and the Orientation of User Defined Tools.

    • Preview and Toolpath:

      • The previous requirement for Turning Profiles to intersect the Stock has been removed.

      • Use of Contours to determine the direction of the cutter is no longer necessary. The Tool Orientation determines the direction of the toolpath.

  • Canned Cycles:

    • The display of the toolpath, when the user has selected Canned Cycles, more accurately depicts what the CNC Machine will do with the code when it is processed.

    • Lead Ins and Lead Outs are applied directly to the chain that is posted in the canned cycle.

    • The tool will rapid around the part as necessary using the Stock and Clearance values set in the Turning Stock Edit dialog.

    • Stock allowances have been modified so that they output correctly for Internal and External operations.

  • Separate Moves:

    • Lead Ins and Lead Outs are applied to each pass within the toolpath to give users more control.

  • Roughing:

    • Face Stock – This field has been added to the available parameters for use with Facing operations. This allows the user to specify the amount of stock that needs removed and is also used to modify the start point when using Canned Cycles.

    • Z Allowance and X Allowance fields have been updated so that they can be different when using separate moves.

  • Finishing:

    • X Stock – This field has been added to allow the user to specify how much stock needs to be removed. This value is also output in the posted program when using Canned Cycle programming.

    • Z Stock – This field has been added to allow the user to specify how much stock needs to be removed. This value is also output in the posted program when using Canned Cycle programming.

    • Face Stock – This field has been added to the available parameters for use with Facing operations. This allows the user to specify the amount of stock that needs removed and is also used to modify the start point when using Canned Cycles.

    • Pattern Repeat for separate moves was modified to eliminate chances of gouging occurring, which are common with canned cycles.

  • Groove:

    • Face Stock – This field has been added to the available parameters for use with Facing operations. This allows the user to specify the amount of stock that needs removed and is also used to modify the start point when using Canned Cycles.

    • Z Allowance and X Allowance fields have been updated so that they can be different when using separate moves.

    • Pecking options have been updated for Separate Moves so that the toolpath performs the pecking operation.

    • Leadin Z2 – This field has been added to handle the entrance into the groove from the backside of the part.

    • Leadin X2 – This field has been added to handle the entrance into the groove from the backside of the part.

    • Override Z2/X2 – This option is in place to allow the user to specify different values for Z2 and X2. When this is not checked the Z2 and X2 will mirror the Leadin Z and Leadin X values respectively.

  • Thread:

    • Thread Height – This field has been unlocked so that the user can modify the system generated value.

    • Num of Finish Passes – This field was added and is used to generate additional passes at the final depth.

    • Canned Cycle Chamfer Out – This field was added to allow the user to specify the Chamfer Out amount for Canned Cycle operations.

    • Number of Leads – This field was added to allow the user to specify the number of leads to use for the Chamfer Out. This is used primarily in posting.

    • Thread Type – The terms Simple and Complex have been renamed to Canned Cycle and Separate Moves for consistency purposes.

  • Drill:

    • Pecking – When using the Separate Moves option, the pecking has been modified to do a full retract, if the retract value is set to 0.

    • Dwell – A new posting block has been created for use with the drilling to achieve a dwell in the program.

    • When using Canned Cycles if the Peck Retract value is set to 0, the system will use the Z Rapid Pnt. value in the posted program instead.

  • Cut Off:

    • Cut Off X – This field has been added to eliminate unnecessary moves in the posted program.


POSTING-MILL

  • New Blocks (Lines) have been added to the Post Processors to enhance/improve posting for the various machines:

    • 540. Check Each Output Line with Scripting(y/n)? - Determines whether or not to pass each post processed line through the scripting engine.

  • New scripting options have been added to the system. Please see the Mill Scripting variables document for a list of these functions and their related output.

  • Laser/Plasma and Waterjet options have been moved to a new location in the post processor to correct an overlap in the blocks.

    • Blocks 700-704 are now being used for the Predator Header addresses.

    • Blocks 750-786 are now being used to handle the Laser Plasma and Waterjet variables in posting.




POSTING-LATHE

  • New Blocks (Lines) have been added to the Post Processors to enhance/improve posting for the various machines:

    • 7. Same operation, same tool turning. - Block used to handle when Rough and Finish Tool are the same in one turning feature.

    • 9. Same operation, same tool facing. - Block used to handle when Rough and Finish Tool are the same in one facing feature.

    • 22. Dwell

    • 58. Output before any cutting cycle. - Block used to output additional information in the program before a canned cycle.

    • 59. Output after any cutting cycle. - Block used to output additional information in the program after a canned cycle.

    • 110. Tool List format. - Used for Predator Header.

    • 111. Stock definition. - Used for Predator Header.

    • 517 - 526 - There are now 10 lines that can be used to define the maximum spindle speed for a particular gear range.

    • 615. Reverse the sign of the Taper Height(y/n)? - Used for thread canned cycle definition.

    • 635. Are Feed Rates Modal (y/n)? - Determines whether Feed rates will be output on every line or only when federates or tools change.

    • 640. Check Each Output Line with Scripting(y/n)? - Determines whether or not to pass each post processed line through the scripting engine.

    • 759. Add these characters to the end of each line? - Allows the user to specify an end of block character.

    • 817. Prefix for Thread Taper height?

    • 830 - 840 - Specifies the addresses used for Spindle gear ranges in blocks 517-526.

    • 841. Prefix for drill first peck amount?

    • 842. Prefix for drill peck increment amount?

  • New scripting options have been added to the system. Please see the Lathe Scripting variables document for a list of these functions and their related output.


Known Issues:

  • Arc Fit Error – In some cases, when the results of a Z-Level Roughing operation are concentric circles and the Arc Fit Tolerance is 0.001”, the system will reverse the direction of some arcs in the toolpath. This goes against the Climb Mill and Conventional Mill directions. To resolve the direction change the Arc Fit Tolerance to 0.0005”.

  • Lathe Stock Preview – When creating multiple turning operations in the CAM Tree, if the geometry is selected for all of the features, after calculating one toolpath all of the operations show a stock preview. This does not impact functionality and will be updated after the operation is modified.


]]> http://www.bobcadsupport.com/techfaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=11&id=123&artlang=en Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:06:00 GMT <![CDATA[What are the Scripting APIs for V23 posting?]]>

Mill Scripting API Functions


  1. Positioning Functions

    1. RAPID MOVE COMMANDS

      1. MILL_GetXRapid() as Double

        1. Assigns the current rapid location for the X Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetXRapid()

      2. MILL_SetXRapid(Double)

        1. Sets the current Rapid location for the X Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetXRapid(variable_name)

      3. MILL_GetYRapid()as Double

        1. Assigns the current rapid location for the Y Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetYRapid()

      4. MILL_SetYRapid(Double)

        1. Sets the current Rapid location for the Y Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetYRapid(variable_name)

      5. MILL_GetZRapid() as Double

        1. Assigns the current rapid location for the Z Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetZRapid()

      6. MILL_SetZRapid(Double)

        1. Sets the current Rapid location for the Z Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetZRapid(variable_name)

    2. FEED MOVE COMMANDS

      1. MILL_GetXFeed() as Double

        1. Assigns the current Feed location for the X Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetXFeed()

      2. MILL_SetXFeed(Double)

        1. Sets the current Feed location for the X Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetXFeed(variable_name)

      3. MILL_GetYFeed()as Double

        1. Assigns the current Feed location for the Y Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetYFeed()

      4. MILL_SetYFeed(Double)

        1. Sets the current Feed location for the Y Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetYFeed(variable_name)

      5. MILL_GetZFeed() as Double

        1. Assigns the current Feed location for the Z Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetZFeed()

      6. MILL_SetZFeed(Double)

        1. Sets the current Feed location for the Z Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetZFeed(variable_name)

      7. MILL_SetPreviousXFeed(Double)

        1. Sets the previous Feed location for the X Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetPreviousXFeed(variable_name)

      8. MILL_GetPreviousXFeed() as Double

        1. Assigns the previous feed location for the X Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetPreviousXFeed()

      9. MILL_SetPreviousYFeed(Double)

        1. Sets the previous Feed location for the Y Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetPreviousYFeed(variable_name)

      10. MILL_GetPreviousYFeed() as Double

        1. Assigns the previous feed location for the Y Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetPreviousYFeed()

      11. MILL_SetPreviousZFeed(Double )

        1. Sets the previous Feed location for the Z Axis using a Double variable.

          1. MILL_SetPreviousZFeed(variable_name)

      12. MILL_GetPreviousZFeed() as Double

        1. Assigns the previous feed location for the Z Axis to a user defined variable

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetPreviousZFeed()

    3. ARC COMMANDS

      1. MILL_GetArcCenterX() as Double

        1. Assigns the X coordinate for the center of an arc to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetArcCenterX()

      2. MILL_GetArcCenterY() as Double

        1. Assigns the Y coordinate for the center of an arc to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetArcCenterY()

      3. MILL_GetArcRadius() as Double

        1. Assigns the Radius of an arc to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetArcRadius()

      4. MILL_GetArcAngleDegrees() as Double

        1. Assigns the sweep of an Arc in radians to a user defined variable. To get the actual degrees the value must be multiplied by 180 and divided by pi.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetArcAngleDegrees()

      5. MILL_GetArcMachiningPlane() as Integer

        1. Assigns the current Machining Plane for Arcs to a user defined variable. (i.e. G17, G18, G19) The number returned from this function is a reference to the plane and not the actual plane designation.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetArcMachiningPlane()

            1. 0 = X/Y Plane

            2. 1 = Y/Z Plane

            3. 2 = X/Z Plane

    4. ROTARY AXIS COMMANDS

      1. MILL_GetRotaryIndexAngle() as Double

        1. Assigns the current Index Angle for the Rotary Axis to a user defined variable. This returns the value that the user inputs for the Rotary Angle output within a Feature.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryIndexAngle()

      2. MILL_GetRotaryIndexClearance() as Double

        1. Assigns the Clearance distance for Rotary Index moves to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryIndexClearance()

      3. MILL_GetRotaryXYFeed() as Double

        1. Assigns the Feedrate used in the current Rotary feature to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryXYFeed()

      4. MILL_GetRotaryAngle() as Double

        1. Assigns the angle of the Rotary axis used in wrapping to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryAngle()

      5. MILL_GetPreviousXAngle() as Double

        1. Assigns the previous angle of the rotary axis, around the X axis, to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetPreviousXAngle()

      6. MILL_GetPreviousYAngle() as Double

        1. Assigns the previous angle of the rotary axis, around the Y axis, to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetPreviousYAngle()

    5. DRILLING COMMANDS

      1. MILL_GetDrillDepth() as Double

        1. Assigns the Drill Depth as output by the drill_depth posting variable in Incremental or Absolute as defined in the Part Settings.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetDrillDepth()

      2. MILL_GetAbsDrillDepth() as Double

        1. Assigns the Absolute depth of the Drilling operation to a user defined variable.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetAbsDrillDepth()

      3. MILL_GetReferencPlaneHeight() as Double

      4. MILL_GetInitialPlaneHeight() as Double

        1. Returns the position to which the tool will rapid, in Z, at the beginning of a drilling operation. (Material Top + Rapid Plane)

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetInitialPlaneHeight()

      5. MILL_GetCannedCycleFeedRate() as Double

      6. MILL_GetPeckDrillFirstPeckAmount() as Double

        1. Outputs the First Peck Amount specified by the user within the drilling operation. If Pecking was not enabled, this function returns 0.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetPeckDrillFirstPeckAmount()

      7. MILL_GetPeckDrillIncrement() as Double

        1. Outputs the Peck Incerement value specified by the user within the drilling operation. If Pecking was no enabled, this function will return 0.

          1. varaialbe_name = MILL_GetPeckDrillIncrement()

      8. MILL_GetDwell() as Double

        1. Outputs the Dwell amount that the user input into the tool dialog for the drilling operation. This value is assigned per individual tool.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetDwell()

      9. MILL_GetDwellMilliseconds() as Double

      10. MILL_GetTappingFeedRate() as Double

        1. Outputs the federate for the tool as specified by the user. This function returns the federate for all tools in the drilling operation.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetTappingFeedRate()

      11. MILL_GetTappingSpindleSpeed() as Double

        1. Outputs the Spindle Speed for the tool as specified by the user. This function returns the spindle speed for all tools in the drilling operation.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetTappingSpindleSpeed()

      12. MILL_GetThreadsPitch() as Double

        1. Outputs the Pitch of the thread specified by the user.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetThreadsPitch()

      13. MILL_GetThreadsPerInch() as Double

          1.  

      14. MILL_GetDrillZ() as Double

        1. Outputs the final Z location of the drill.

          1. variable_name = GetDrillZ()

      15. MILL_GetClearanceZ() as Double

      16. MILL_GetG98G99Mode() as Integer

        1. Outputs 99 or 98 to a variable based on the value applied to line 516 in the post processor.

          1. variable_name = MILL_GetG98G99Mode()

      17. MILL_GetReturnPlaneDistance() as Double

      18. MILL_GetSecurityPlaneDistance() as Double

    6.  

  2. Operation/Feature Functions

    1. MILL_GetPassName() as String

      1. Outputs the name of the current pass within an operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetPassName()

    2. MILL_GetFeaturePassNameComment() as String

      1. Outputs the comment for the current pass within an operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFeaturePassNameComment()

    3. MILL_GetFeatureNameComment() as String

      1. Outputs the comment for the current feature.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFeatureNameComment()

    4. MILL_GetSystemComment() as String

      1. Outputs the comment for the current system comment.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetSystemComment()

    5. MILL_GetSubComment() as String

      1. Outputs the comment for the current subroutine.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetSubComment()

    6. MILL_GetSequenceNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the sequence number for the current line.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetSequenceNumber()

    7. MILL_GetOperationType() as Short

      1. Outputs the current operation type.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetOperationType()

    8. MILL_GetDrillCycleType() as Short

      1. Outputs a number which corresponds to a particular drilling operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetDrillCycleType()

    9. MILL_GetCurrentFeatureNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the number of the current feature, based on the order in the CAM Tree.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetCurrentFeatureNumber()

    10. MILL_GetCurrentContourNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the current contour number.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetCurrentContourNumber()

    11. MILL_GetFirstLineNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the first line number of the program.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFirstLineNumber()

    12. MILL_GetCurrentLineNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the current line number of the program.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetCurrentLineNumber()

    13. MILL_GetLineNumberIncrement() as Short

      1. Outputs the line number increment.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLineNumberIncrement()

    14. MILL_GetFeatureType() as Short

      1. Outputs the current operation type. (1=Center Hole, 2=Hole, 3=Tap, 4=Ream, 5=Counter Bore Hole, 6=Counter Bore Tap, 7=Counter Bore Ream, 15=Roll Tap, 16=Roll Counter Bore Tap, 18=Facing, 19=Pocketing, 20=Contour(Profile), 21=Chamfer Mill, 22=Engraving, 23=Boring, 24=Thread Milling, 26=Vector Graphics Engraving, 29=Slice Cut Planar, 30=Slice Cut Radial, 31=Slice Cut Spiral, 32=ZLevel Rough, 33=ZLevel Finish, 34=Equadistant Contour, 35=Pencil Mill, 36=Curve Cut, 40=V-Carving)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFeatureType()


  1. Program Functions

    1. MILL_GetProgramName() as String

      1. Outputs the fully qualified file name and path into a string variable.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetProgramName()

    2. MILL_GetProcessOrder() as Short

      1. Outputs a number telling whether By Tool or By Feature is selected. (0=By Feature, 1=By Tool)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetProcessOrder()

    3. MILL_GetMachiningMode() as Short

      1. Outputs whether Incremental or Absolute Positioning is enabled. (0=Absolute,1=Incremental)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetMachingMode()

    4. MILL_GetProgramNumber() as String

      1. Outputs the main program number into a string variable.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetProgramNumber()

    5. MILL_GetStockMinX() as Double

      1. Outputs the X coordinate for the bottom left hand corner of the Stock.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetStockMinX()

    6. MILL_GetStockMinY() as Double

      1. Outputs the Y coordinate for the bottom left hand corner of the Stock.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetStockMinY()

    7. MILL_GetStockMinZ() as Double

      1. Outputs the Z coordinate for the bottom left hand corner of the Stock.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetStockMinZ()

    8. MILL_GetStockMaxX() as Double

      1. Outputs the X coordinate for the top right hand corner of the Stock.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetStockMaxX()

    9. MILL_GetStockMaxY() as Double

      1. Outputs the Y coordinate for the top right hand corner of the Stock.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetStockMaxY()

    10. MILL_GetStockMaxZ() as Double

      1. Outputs the Z coordinate for the top right hand corner of the Stock.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetStockMaxZ()

    11. MILL_GetRotaryStockDiameter() as Double

      1. Outputs the diameter of the Rotary stock in the CAM Tree. If Rectangular stock is selected, a 0 will be output.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryStockDiameter()

    12. MILL_GetRotaryStockLength() as Double

      1. Outputs the length of the Rotary stock in the CAM Tree. If Rectangular stock is selected, a 0 will be output.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryStockLength()

    13. MILL_GetRotaryAxis() as Short

      1. Determines whether the Y or X axis is being used as the axis of rotation.(0=X is the Rotary, 1=Y is the Rotary Axis)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetRotaryStockAxis()

    14. MILL_GetPartLength() as Double

      1. Outputs the extents of the geometry, in the X Axis, selected for operations in the CAM Tree.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetPartLength()

    15. MILL_GetPartWidth() as Double

      1. Outputs the extents of the geometry, in the Y Axis, selected for operations in the CAM Tree.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetPartWidth()

    16. MILL_GetOutputSubPrograms() as Short

      1. Outputs whether the Subprograms are on or off.

      2. (1 = Output Subs, 0 = Do NOT Output Subs).

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetOutputSubPrograms()

    17. MILL_GetUnits() as Short

      1. Outputs a value to determine whether the system is outputting code in inches or mm.

      2. (0=mm, 1=Inches)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetUnits()

    18. MILL_GetGlobalStockHeight() as Double

      1. Outputs the Global Stock height for all operations in the CAM Tree.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetGlobalStockHeight()

    19. MILL_GetFeatureStockHeight() as Double

      1. Outputs the Stock Height for an individual feature in the CAM Tree.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFeatureStockHeight()

    20. MILL_GetNumberOfContours() as Short

      1. Outputs the total number of profiles assigned to operations in the CAM Tree.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetNumberOfContours()

    21. MILL_GetNumberOfFeatures() as Short

      1. Outputs the total number of features in the program.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetNumberOfFeatures()

  2. Setup Functions

    1. MILL_GetToolNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the Tool number for the current action.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolNumber()

    2. MILL_GetFirstToolNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the number of the first tool in the program.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFirstToolNumber()

    3. MILL_GetNextToolNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the number for the next Tool in the program. If this function is used on the last tool in the program, it will return the tool number for the first tool in the program.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetNextToolNumber()

    4. MILL_GetToolOffsetNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the offset number for the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolOffsetNumber()

    5. MILL_GetNextToolOffsetNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the offset number for the next tool in the program. If this function is used on the last tool in the program, it will return the offset number for the first tool in the program.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetNextToolOffsetNumber()

    6. MILL_GetToolDiameter() as Double

      1. Outputs the diameter of the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolDiameter()

    7. MILL_GetToolRadius() as Double

      1. Outputs the radius of the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolRadius()

    8. MILL_GetToolLength() as Double

      1. Outputs the length of the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolLength()

    9. MILL_GetSpindleSpeed() as Short

      1. Outputs the spindle speed set for the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetSpindleSpeed()

    10. MILL_GetMaximumSpindleSpeed() as Short

      1. Outputs the maximum spindle speed specified in the Machine setup file.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetMaximumSpindleSpeed()

    11. MILL_GetNumberOfContourEntities() as Short

      1. Outputs the total number of entities in a given shape.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetNumberOfContourEntities()

    12. MILL_GetCurrentContourEntityNumber() as Short

      1. Outputs the number of the entity currently being posted.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetCurrentContourEntityNumber()

    13. MILL_GetOffsetSide() as Short

      1. Outputs the offset side.

      2. (0=None, 1=Left, 2=Right)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetOffsetSide()

    14. MILL_GetFeedRate() as Short

      1. Outputs the feedrate for the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetFeedRate()

    15. MILL_GetLeadinType() as Short

      1. Outputs the Lead In type for the current operation.

      2. (6=Plunge, 3=Parallel, 2=Right Angle, 0=Circular)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLeadinType()

    16. MILL_GetLeadoutType() as Short

      1. Outputs the Lead Out type for the current operation. (6=Plunge, 3=Parallel, 2=Right Angle, 0=Circular)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLeadoutType()

    17. MILL_GetOffsetAmount() as Double

      1. Outputs the amount that the current path is offset from the contour.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetOffsetAmount()

    18. MILL_GetToolDiamCompNumberWithAddAmout()

      1. Outputs the Diameter comp number with the add amount specified in the post processor on line 267.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolDiamCompNumberWithAddAmount()

    19. MILL_GetToolDiamCompNumber()

      1. Outputs the Diameter Comp number without the added amount on line 267.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolDiamCompNumber()

    20. MILL_GetToolLengthCompNumber()

      1. Outputs the Length Comp number for the current tool.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolLengthCompNumber()

    21. MILL_GetToolName()

      1. Outputs the system name for the tool. (i.e. ENDMILL ROUGH, ENDMILL FINISH, etc.)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetToolName()

    22. MILL_GetWorkCoordNumber() as Integer

      1. Outputs the work offset number.

      2. (i.e. 1, 2, 3, etc.)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetWorkCoordNumber()

    23. MILL_GetWorkCoordName() as String

      1. Outputs the name of the work offset as specified on lines 901 through 999.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetWorkCoordName()

    24. MILL_GetPatternWorkCoordNumber() as Integer

      1. Outputs the work offset number. (i.e. 1, 2, 3, etc.)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetPatternWorkCoordNumber()

    25. MILL_GetPatternWorkCoordName() as String

      1. Outputs the name of the work offset as specified on lines 901 through 999.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetPatternWorkCoordName()

    26. MILL_GetZeroPositionX() as Double

      1. Outputs the Zero postion for the X axis.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetZeroPositionX()

    27. MILL_GetZeroPositionY() as Double

      1. Outputs the Zero postion for the Y axis.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetZeroPositionY()

    28. MILL_GetZeroPositionZ() as Double

      1. Outputs the Zero postion for the Z axis.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetZeroPositionZ()

    29. MILL_GetSubProgramNumberWithPrefix() as String

      1. Outputs the SubProgram number for the operation with the letter address specified in line 645.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetSubProgramNumberWithPrefix()

    30. MILL_GetIsIncremental() as Short

      1. Outputs a value to determine whether the posted program is in Incremental commands or Absolute.

      2. (1=Incremental, 0=Absolute)

      3. variable_name = MILL_GetIsIncremental()

  3. Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Specific

    1. MILL_GetLPWCutterWidth() as Double

      1. Outputs the width of the cutter defined in the operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWCutterWidth()

    2. MILL_GetLPWPierceHeight() as Double

      1. Outputs the Pierce height specified in the operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWPierceHeight()

    3. MILL_GetLPWIsCutterOnOff() as Short

      1. Outputs a 0 or 1 to determine whether the cutter on/off was last issued.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetIsLPWCutterOnOff()

    4. MILL_GetLPWGetCutterOnString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post for turning on the cutter.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetCutterOnString()

    5. MILL_GetLPWGetCutterOffString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post for turning off the cutter.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetCutterOffString()

    6. MILL_GetLPWIsGasAssistOnOff() as Short

      1. Outputs a 0 or 1 to determine whether the gas assist on/off was last issued.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetIsGasAssistOnOff()

    7. MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOnString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post for turning on the gas assist.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOnString()

    8. MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOffString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post for turning off the gas assist.

        1. variable_name = MILL_ GetLPWGetGasAssistOffString ()

    9. MILL_GetLPWIsGasAssistType() as Short

      1. Outputs a number which determines the type of gas assist that has been selected (0=Air,1=Oxygen, 2=Oxyacetylene)

        1. variable_name = MILL_ GetLPWIsGasAssistType()

    10. MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistAirString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post processor for turning on the air assist.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistAirString()

    11. MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOxygenString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post processor for turning on the Oxygen assist.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOxygenString()

    12. MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOxyacetyleneString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined in the post processor for turning on the oxyacetylene assist.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOxyacetyleneString()

    13. MILL_GetLPWIsShutterOpen() as Short

      1. Outputs a 0 or 1 to determine whether the shutter is opened or closed in the program. (0=closed, 1=opened)

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetGasAssistOxygenString()

    14. MILL_GetLPWGetShutterOpenString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined for opening the shutter.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetShutterOpenString()

    15. MILL_GetLPWGetShutterClosedString() as String

      1. Outputs the string defined for closinging the shutter.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWGetShutterCloseString()

    16. MILL_GetLPWPulseFrequency() as Short

      1. Outputs the Pulse frequency defined in the operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWPulseFrequency()

    17. MILL_GetLPWPowerSetting() as Short

      1. Outputs the Power setting defined in the operation.

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWPowerSetting()

    18. MILL_GetLPWTorchHeightControl() as Short

      1. Outputs the value defined in the operation for Torch Height Control

        1. variable_name = MILL_GetLPWTorchHeightControl()


  1. Miscellaneous

    1. MILL_SetReturnString(LPCTSTR ReturnString)

      1. Outputs a string that is used within a line of post processor variables. (i.e. n,x_f,y_f,program_block_1,feed)

        1. MILL_SetReturnString(variable_name)

        2. MILL_SetReturnString(“Sample String”)

    2. MILL_OutputText(LPCTSTR OutString)

      1. Outputs a string into the posted program with a Line Feed character.

        1. MILL_OutputText(variable_name)

        2. MILL_OutputText(“Sample String”)

    3. MILL_ProcessPostLine(LPCTSTR OutString)

      1. Outputs a string that is used as a Post Processor line.

        1. MILL_ProcessPostLine(variable_name)

        2. MILL_ProcessPostLine(“Sample String”)

    4. MakeRealString(double RealValue)

      1. Converts a Real value into a String value

        1. String_Variable = MakeRealString(Real_Variable)

    5. MakeXString(double XValue)

      1. Converts a X Value into a String value.

        1. String_Variable = MakeXString(GetXRapid())

    6. MakeYString(double YValue)

      1. Converts a Y Value into a String value.

        1. String_Variable = MakeYString(GetYRapid())

    7. MakeZString(double ZValue)

      1. Converts a Z Value into a String value.

        1. String_Variable = MakeZString(GetZRapid())

    8. MILL_GetNumberOfIntMemoryLoc()

      1. Returns the number of integer values stored in the IntMemory location.

        1. Integer_variable = MILL_GetNumberOfIntMemoryLoc()

    9. MILL_GetNumberOfDoubleMemoryLoc()

      1. Returns the number of double values stored in the DoubleMemory location.

        1. Integer_variable = MILL_GetNumberOfDoubleMemoryLoc()

    10. MILL_GetNumberOfStringMemoryLoc()

      1. Returns the number of string values stored in the StringMemory location.

        1. Integer_variable = MILL_GetNumberOfStringMemoryLoc()

    11. MILL_SetIntMemoryLoc(short Index,short SetInteger)

      1. Assigns an integer value to an index location in the IntMemory container.

        1. MILL_SetIntMemoryLoc(index_integer, integer_variable)

    12. MILL_GetIntMemoryLoc(short Index)

      1. Returns the integer value from the IntMemory container at a specified index position.

        1. integer_variable = MILL_GetIntMemoryLoc(index_integer)

    13. MILL_SetDoubleMemoryLoc(short Index, double SetDouble)

      1. Assigns a decimal value to an index location in the DoubleMemory container.

        1. MILL_SetDoubleMemoryLoc(index_integer, double_variable)

    14. MILL_GetDoubleMemoryLoc(short Index)

      1. Returns the decimal value from the DoubleMemory container at a specified index position.

        1. decimal_variable = MILL_GetDoubleMemoryLoc(index_integer)

    15. MILL_SetStringMemoryLoc(short Index, LPCTSTR SetString)

      1. Assigns a string value to an index location in the StringMemory container.

        1. MILL_SetStringMemoryLoc(index_integer, string_variable)

    16. MILL_GetStringMemoryLoc(short Index)

      1. Returns the string value from the StringMemory container at a specified index position.

        1. string_variable = MILL_GetStringMemoryLoc(index_integer)


  1. Used with Custom Dialogs

    1. MILL_GetUserCheckBoxVariable(short Index)

      1. Returns a 0 or 1 to determine whether a checkbox has been checked. The checkbox that is verified is determined by the index.

    2. MILL_GetUserEditIntegerVariable (short Index)

      1. Returns the integer value from the EditInteger text box at the specified index location.

    3. MILL_GetUserEditRealVariable (short Index)

      1. Returns the Real(decimal) value from the EditReal text box at the specified index location.

    4. MILL_GetUserEditStringVariable (short Index)

      1. Returns the String value from the EditString text box at the specified index location.

    5. MILL_GetUserSelectComboVariable (short Index)

      1. Returns the selected index item from the ComboBox at the specified control index.









]]> http://www.bobcadsupport.com/techfaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=16&id=122&artlang=en Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:04:00 GMT <![CDATA[I just downloaded demo version of bobcat hobby 19.9.5 and there is no manual, no tutorial and no way I can figure out if this is the program I want unless I just spend a lot of time trying to guess how to use it. please advise. many thanks, jeff]]> Over at www.bobcadsupport.com there is a category called V21 Training Documentation. The major changes from 19 to 21 were in handling solids and surfaces. Skip over those sections of the full V21 manual you find there and you should have all of the tutorials you may need for V19!

]]> http://www.bobcadsupport.com/techfaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=1&id=113&artlang=en Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:19:00 GMT <![CDATA[How do I draw a 2D thread in lathe mode? Example: 1" 8 TPI]]> http://www.bobcadsupport.com/techfaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=5&id=112&artlang=en Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:16:00 GMT <![CDATA[I downloaded "MillEditPost" from the Posts page and now I get a "MillingRegistryClassesR.dll" was not found error message. MillEditPost worked before but it had problems finding file paths so I thought I would reload it.]]> The .dll files required for that utility need to be in the same folder as the .exe file is. It doesn't actually matter where the utility is, just so that those .dlls and the .exe are in the same place. The simplest way to make sure they are is to copy the MillEditPost.exe file into BobCAD-CAM's installation folder. The main application uses many of the same dll files and they're found there.

 

]]> http://www.bobcadsupport.com/techfaq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=5&id=111&artlang=en Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:14:00 GMT