Creating Site files for Roughing & Finish

[Mr.Evenflo]

Hello guys,


Arequest for help: Does anybody have experience creating custom site files to be usedfor this Pro-E Cam software?and would you be interested in helping us?We're using WF3 with the cam add-on andhave beentrying to make up site file combinationsfor our tool library andhave hit a wall again.Frustration has set inbecause there are TOO MANY parameter choices to go throughto try and pick correctly to obtainthe best results.


Whatwe're trying to accomplish is to make simple Roughing and Finish parameter files for both Balland Flat end mills ( 1" to 1/4")that use a Spiral cutting pattern that are continous in their cutting direction and don't have all these herky jerky, backtracking movements all over the place.We've tried getting help from PTC in the form of on-site consultingfor the past 4 months and have been ignored. Somewonderful customer support they havethere eh. Hopefully someone on these forums could help us with setting these up correctly, orwould be willing to share theirknowledge onwhat to pick from thelists.


If interestedplease respond here or e-mail our shop at:


[email protected]


Thanks!


Mr. Evenflo

 

[omarhernandez]

Mr.Evenflo,


We have had pro/e cam for about one year now, but have now bought mastercam because of the difficulty of pro cam post processor. I had a co-worker that took some post processor classes, but quit because he was having difficulty. Do you mind telling me where you got post processing training, or a book you can recommed me.


Omar

 

[marker4x4]

David, setting the SITE can be confusing if you're not overly familiar with parameters and what they do... you'll get there eventually with experience, but for now I'd recommend you simply SAVE all the PARAMETER pages that work for you. Later, when you create new NC SEQUENCE that is similar to what you've used before,simply RETRIEVE those pages as needed without re-entering the same data over and over.


Remember to give it descriptive name upon saving.... also set the path in OPTION window, otherwise they will go in your current WORKSPACE (I think).


I hope it helps

 

[Mr.Evenflo]

Mr.Evenflo,


We have had pro/e cam for about one year now, but have now bought mastercam because of the difficulty of pro cam post processor. I had a co-worker that took some post processor classes, but quit because he was having difficulty. Do you mind telling me where you got post processing training, or a book you can recommed me.


Omar

Hello Omar,


I hear youon MasterCam, we arethinking that way too. On the Post Processor,We actually received help withthis problem from this forum. We were able to get the stock post UNCX01.P14 (a fadal post) to work with our controller (Acurite Controller). It was just a matter of turning off some switches on the Gpost that were on by default to make our machine run all the way through a program. I used the supplied GPOST editor to accomplish this, the guys on here told me what to do. So I really had no training, I 've just been learning as I go.


Mr. Evenflo

 

[omarhernandez]

Mr.Evenflo,


If your not having as much difficulty using pro/e cam, I suggest you stick with it. Our Mastercam system w/one seat has now cost us $2,300 dollars, not including the training. I want to use pro/e cam because of the toolpath for family tables, but mastercam can do this as well.


Omar

 

[Mr.Evenflo]

David, setting the SITE can be confusing if you're not overly familiar with parameters and what they do... you'll get there eventually with experience, but for now I'd recommend you simply SAVE all the PARAMETER pages that work for you. Later, when you create new NC SEQUENCE that is similar to what you've used before,simply RETRIEVE those pages as needed without re-entering the same data over and over.


Remember to give it descriptive name upon saving.... also set the path in OPTION window, otherwise they will go in your current WORKSPACE (I think).


I hope it helps

Thanks for the reply Marker4x4,


That's the eventual plan we have and the very problem as well, save all that work but the time it takes to experiment and fine tune is costly and un-productive. I get asked "Why is it cutting that way, can't you make it do this?" It is very frustrating. This program is not very user friendly.

Thanks PTC.


Mr.Evenflo

 

[Mr.Evenflo]

Mr.Evenflo,


If your not having as much difficulty using pro/e cam, I suggest you stick with it. Our Mastercam system w/one seat has now cost us $2,300 dollars, not including the training. I want to use pro/e cam because of the toolpath for family tables, but mastercam can do this as well.


Omar

We will probably give it more time since it was the cheapest route to go, but it is becomingcostly to try and figure out. It seems it has taken a good 3 to 4 months to get up and running because of the steep learning curve and problems along the way with trying to get a Post to work right, alsocompoundedby the LACK of customer support from PTC. It may be cheap to buy ( $5000) but all the extra training cost is making itcomeclose to whatMastercam cost, which for me was easier to use at my previous job.


Mr. Evenflo

 

[omarhernandez]

Did I say $2,300? What I meant to say is $20,300. That's a big diff.


Omar

 

[Mr.Evenflo]

Did I say $2,300? What I meant to say is $20,300. That's a big diff.


Omar

Yes that is a big difference


Mr. Evenflo

 

[pronc]

David,

Please upload a sample file so we can see what you want to achieve. Or you can email me direct. I'll be glad to take a look at it.

 

[MR_NC]

My first question is did you buy "enslavement"? If not then I can't really get on board with the remarks regarding PTC customer support. Your reseller should have at least helped "some", but make no mistake to have support worth having you need to buy maintenance. My "enslavement" costs are 1/2 of what you paid annual. It suks, ho-hum, cost of doing business. Your company can suffer the cost of folks struggling to get up to speed or they can suffer the cost of paying for training & enslavement.

Now, FWIW. I have heard the cries from the shop floor you speak of. "Can't you (insert perfect tool path request here)?". In the past I have used the following CAM systems.

Toolchest
WorkNC
CamWorks
SUM3D
MasterCam
SurfCam
PowerMill
ProNC (current complete machining license)

I have NEVER in all of almost 20 years now, had a software that worked well enough, to make shop floor operators who know nothing about programming, like the toolpaths. By god it has never been for lack of trying to please them

If you have no PTC support (paid) then you still have this forum. This is what I recommend:
Open ProE
HELP->HELP CENTER->GLOBAL SEARCH->(FUNCTIONAL AREA)MANUFACTURING->(SEARCH FOR)SITE

That will produce 67 returns and pretty much everything you could want to know about SITE files will be there. If your company won't pay to train you they should at least pay you to do the required reading.

Best regards,
Sean

 

[omarhernandez]

MR_NC


My company won't payany trainingfor pro cam, since we already got mastercam. I don't having to save my files as an iges file, which creates a dummy part with no model tree, then start working on mastercam x2. Do you have any help files or websites you could recommend me to help me get started with pro cam.


Thanks,


Omar

 

[marker4x4]

MR_NC


My company won't payany trainingfor pro cam,.....

This is totally out of the topic. I recommend you use some Rant and Rave forum, or... change your company, they sound like a bunch of cheapskates anyway. Who in their right mind would not pay for educating their own people.

 

[omarhernandez]

They already paid 20,300 worth of extra features, but w/only one seat. That's not including training, which they already paid for.


Omar

 

[Mr.Evenflo]

David,

Please upload a sample file so we can see what you want to achieve. Or you can email me direct. I'll be glad to take a look at it.

I'll PM you with the information. since I can't upload to this forum.


Thanks in advance!


Mr. Evenflo

 

[Mr.Evenflo]

My first question is did you buy "enslavement"? If not then I can't really get on board with the remarks regarding PTC customer support. Your reseller should have at least helped "some", but make no mistake to have support worth having you need to buy maintenance. My "enslavement" costs are 1/2 of what you paid annual. It suks, ho-hum, cost of doing business. Your company can suffer the cost of folks struggling to get up to speed or they can suffer the cost of paying for training & enslavement.

Now, FWIW. I have heard the cries from the shop floor you speak of. "Can't you (insert perfect tool path request here)?". In the past I have used the following CAM systems.

Toolchest
WorkNC
CamWorks
SUM3D
MasterCam
SurfCam
PowerMill
ProNC (current complete machining license)

I have NEVER in all of almost 20 years now, had a software that worked well enough, to make shop floor operators who know nothing about programming, like the toolpaths. By god it has never been for lack of trying to please them

If you have no PTC support (paid) then you still have this forum. This is what I recommend:
Open ProE
HELP->HELP CENTER->GLOBAL SEARCH->(FUNCTIONAL AREA)MANUFACTURING->(SEARCH FOR)SITE

That will produce 67 returns and pretty much everything you could want to know about SITE files will be there. If your company won't pay to train you they should at least pay you to do the required reading.

Best regards,
Sean

Thanks Sean for the info. I know our Engineers are covered with a maintenance agreement with PTC, but not sure if the Cam is included with it. This was all taken care of by others. I'm just trying to get the software to work for us and as of yet PTC has ignornedour inquiry for help, E-mails go un-replied, no call backs when it comes to getting help with our situation. Therefore what is one supposed to think, but your on your own.


The software packages I've used in my short CNC career are:


Sim-link


Master-Cam


BobCad


ProNC (current system)


Mr.Evenflo