Pro NC, help needed

[Bob Wolcott]

I have a license of Wildfire 2 and Prismatic machining but I need help with learning the NC package. I am familiar with MasterCAM and I actually bought a seat for the prototype work I do and because the learning curve on ProNC looks a bit daunting. Are there any good books that go through using ProNC? I am looking for info on the post processor setup (Haas control), posting, verifying, toolpath generation, etc...


As with most PCT products, this came with zero support materials, manuals, etc... For $5000 I would expect more but I have become used to the customer service PTC puts out there. I must say, MasterCAM's support is first class, but I do need to learn ProNC for my own good. Where do I look for help?


Thanks,


Bob
Edited by: Bob Wolcott

 

[Mr Ray]

Bob,
Try:
"A Pro/Manufacturing Tutorial"
Wildfire 2.0
ISBN 1-58503-192-5
SDS Publications
Very basic getting started tutorial in milling.

 

[MR_NC]

Bob,
I find myself in much the same spot as you. After just making the jump from Solidworks and Surfcam myself last month, I have WF3 + prismatic. My 02:

1. I have support. Yes you are going to have to call someone in India with a name most can't even pronounce correctly. However, so far I can say that support has not been "that" bad. Given I am a new user it's easy for them to be "good enough" right now. However, I will say given what I have seen so far I will stay on enslavement. Just to have the option to call "someone".
2. If you have properly installed the help system with ProE give it a chance. I have found it to be somewhat unfriendly. However, there is a TON of good information there. The help system was on your disks, it's just a question of if it was installed. Also, PTC has made what appears to be most of the "good" information at PTC.com enslavement only. Meaning no support contract = no access to the stuff you want. I did find a handful of very good documents in the paid support area of PTC.com that got me rocking in short order.
3. From what I have seen there are some crazy smart folks around here about FIL. Getting setup with a post for your Haas should be no problem. Currently I post to a 5axis Haas that has all the toys.
4. There are some "limits" with the Vericut part of the package I have found the hard way. IMHO, PTC went "the cheap" with the Vericut part of the package. Currently there is no way to use some of the power Pro has with machines like a Haas that produce a dogleg rapid. Vericut can't properly check a dogleg rapid "machine" as it's provided with ProE. So my recommendation is to proceed with caution. Vericut "works" but there are limits and cases where you can get burned.
5. For 5K you would expect more. Honestly I would say that after a month of using Pro to pay the bills I don't agree. The power you have, as a "total package" is something MasterCAM will never reach. You have a TON for your 5k, trust me on that. When you get things dialed in your seat of MC will collect dust.

Good luck with the transition to ProE. So far it has been making me pretty happy.

Best regards,
Sean

 

[LABRT]

I have a license of Wildfire 2 and Prismatic
machining but I need help with learning the NC package. I am
familiar with MasterCAM and I actually bought a seat for the prototype
work I do and because the learning curve on ProNC looks a bit
daunting. Are there any good books that go through using
ProNC? I am looking for info on the post processor setup (Haas
control), posting, verifying, toolpath generation, etc...


As with most PCT products, this came with zero support materials,
manuals, etc... For $5000 I would expect more but I have become
used to the customer service PTC puts out there. I must say,
MasterCAM's support is first class, but I do need to learn ProNC for my
own good. Where do I look for help?


Thanks,


Bob

 

[LABRT]

Hello Bob,



Have you tried a subscription of PTC University?



It's on-line training available for a period of one year at a time. The
cost is very convenient and you will have access to all Wildfire
material, including Pro/NC.



You might also consider some Pro/NC mentoring. What is important is to
understand how the system works. Tne most common problem when switching
from one CAD/CAM system to another is that the user tries to emulate
the 'old' system with the new.



Good luck.

 

[leow_john]

Hi

Few Things I could help you
[email protected]

Thanks

 

[peterbrown77]

Regarding Sean's comments:


1) Tech support for the NC package is handled in Needham, MA - not India. I've never had any of my hundreds of tech support calls routed to India if it was in the manufacturing queue. You'll get to know both Dans, Chris, and Khalid.


2) The "full" Vericut (Machine Simulation option) starts at $10,000 US from its publisher (CGTech) and goes up from there as you add bells and whistles (OptiPath, AUTO-DIFF, Die Sinking). The 'embedded' version isn't too bad until you try to do some 4th axis stuff, so you're definitely getting your $5,000 there. Also, many machines today can handle an interpolated rapid rather than the traditional dogleg, so it is possible to have a good 2 1/2 axis simulation if you are willing to change your machine's motion parameters. We own the 'full' Vericut version, which is a bargain at $10K if it saves you a good crash.


3) Another good source for help is the 'manuf' email exploder (a newsgroup)at ptcuser.org - a lot of old hands there with lots of experience.





Regards

 

[design-engine]

I want to learn Pro/NC and don't have any machining experience other than
detailing and watching w/o safety glasses. How hard is it to pick up?