How to set up the transfer of machining instructions
There are three types of instructions for machining.
- Instructions for the front of the piece
- Instructions for the back of the piece
- Instructions for horizontal operations on the piece (e.g. drilling)
These can be sent to a single file or split into separate files. This depends on the operation of the machining centre. If the instructions are sent to different files there are 2 options:-
- all files are in the same directory
- each file is in a different directory
Use the following parameters to set the way of working.
Machining centre parameters (Generation tab)
Last drawing number - do not set a value (stores the last number used)
Use drawing item plus item number - check if a different file name rule is required
Separate file(s) for back instructions - check if required
Separate file(s) for horizontal instructions - check if required
Machining centre transfer parameters
Subfolders for parts - check if files are further split into a subfolder for each run
Path for parts - back - must be set if a separate file for back instructions is required
Path for parts - horizontal - must be set if a separate file for horizontal instructions is required
Use common transfer name for parts - set if exactly the same file name is required in each subfolder
Information box parameters (Machining)
These parameters must be set (via Information box parameters) but leave blank. They are used for storing the file names.
Drawing name transfer
Transfer name back
Transfer name horizontal
Transfer name common
These information boxes are not required if the relevant machining parameter or machining centre transfer parameter is not set. For example, if 'Separate file(s) for back instructions' is not checked 'Transfer name back' is not required.
How the parameters work
Typically the drawings/instructions are numbered sequentially from the value in the Machining centre parameter: Last drawing number. For example:-
10010346
10010347
10010348
If separate files are required for back and horizontal instructions the file names are as follows.
10010346F
10010347F
10010348F
10010346B
10010347B
10010348B
10010346H
10010347H
10010348H
These are sent to a single directory unless the parameters are set to send them to different paths.
c:\v11\mc\front c:\v11\mc\back c:\v11\mc\horiz
10010346F 10010346B 10010346H
10010347F 10010347B 10010347H
10010348F 10010348B 10010348H
If the machining centre transfer parameter 'Use common transfer name for parts' is set the 'F', 'B' and 'H' tags are not used
c:\v11\mc\front c:\v11\mc\back c:\v11\mc\horiz
10010346 10010346 10010346
10010347 10010347 10010347
10010348 10010348 10010348
The files can be further split into a directory for each run - based on the run number.
c:\v11\mc\front\01002 c:\v11\mc\back\01002 c:\v11\mc\horiz\01002
10010346 10010346 10010346
10010347 10010347 10010347
10010348 10010348 10010348
Set the parameter values to achieve the required file distribution.
Notes
- The Information box: Drawing name transfer can also be used to make other modifications to the basic file name
- If a part does not have back or horizontal instructions the back or horizontal files are not created
