I have successfully run my lathe with programs from Mastercam (with a bit of tweaking)and transfer the file using any DNC program. Much easier than the std options available now for these machines.
The problem with these lathes is that the software for drawing is archaic. The .FAN is very simple but different.
For single tool programs I have the post processor at the point where I can output a .FAN file, edit and insert the feed rate, remove a X and Y symbols from start points and I can run it.
Problem is my somewhat limited knowledge of modifying posts.
Below is a standard FAN file for the old Harrisons (not full keyboard) control. It would be great if we could put heads together and try to figure out all the the commands and try to structure a post that will bring our machines into the modern age. I personally don't want to change the control because the teach side of it is great.Please lets be proactive with this as we have a lot to benefit.Feel free to add your knowledge here for eg what is #501?
O0001 Can only be O0001
(AZ TEST38 ) Must start with AZ HEADER
IF[#530EQ1]GOTO#529
IF[#1000EQ1]GOTO[#509*10] Always the same 3 lines
IF[#1001EQ1]GOTO[#509*10]
N10 Always N10 here
#501=1 ?
#502=32 Tool number
#503=30. Wind handle to this X point TOOL DEFINITION AREA
#504=10. Wind handle to this Z point
#507=1 ?
#509=1 Start of incremental 509=1 then +1 each time
#510=0.1 Feedrate set
M50 Always an M50 here
IF[#531EQ1] GOTO 502 STD statement repeats after M50 increment plus 1 (EQ1 and 502 become EQ2 and 503 etc)
M10 ?After the tool and position definition always M10
N502 After the tool and position definition always N--- from previous.
N20 N increments by 10
#500=1 ?
#501=1 ?
#502=32 Tool no again
#503=30. Wind to X
#504=10. Wind to Z REDEFINITON OF TOOL AND STOCK?
#505=19.2 Toolpath X extent/Stock?
#506=-25.4 Toolpath Z extent/Stock?
#507=14 ?
#508=1 ?
#509=2 #509= -+1 every time it comes up in the pgm.
#510=0.1 Feedrate again - use 510 anytime in pgm to change feed
M50 ?Always M50 here
IF[#531EQ2] GOTO 503 Always the increment here - read to next instance
M10 *
M11 *
G0X20.282Z0.141 Press rapid and arrive here.Same set of M codes before and after every time
M12 *
M13 *
G1X20.Z0.F0.1 #Start of normal G code- only G0- G1- G3 recognised, also R when cornering.
G1X20.Z-15.F0.1
G1X25.6Z-15.F0.1
G3X30.Z-17.2I0.K-2.2F0.1 GCODE
G1X30.Z-25.2F0.1
G1X30.282Z-25.059F0.1 #End of std G code
M14 *
M11 *
G0X50.Z35.. End position to go to for tool change - next tool
M12 *
M15 *
N503 From GOTO above
M50 From here always the same except for the #531 increment.
IF[#531EQ3] GOTO 504
N504
M16 FILE END
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The problem with these lathes is that the software for drawing is archaic. The .FAN is very simple but different.
For single tool programs I have the post processor at the point where I can output a .FAN file, edit and insert the feed rate, remove a X and Y symbols from start points and I can run it.
Problem is my somewhat limited knowledge of modifying posts.
Below is a standard FAN file for the old Harrisons (not full keyboard) control. It would be great if we could put heads together and try to figure out all the the commands and try to structure a post that will bring our machines into the modern age. I personally don't want to change the control because the teach side of it is great.Please lets be proactive with this as we have a lot to benefit.Feel free to add your knowledge here for eg what is #501?
O0001 Can only be O0001
(AZ TEST38 ) Must start with AZ HEADER
IF[#530EQ1]GOTO#529
IF[#1000EQ1]GOTO[#509*10] Always the same 3 lines
IF[#1001EQ1]GOTO[#509*10]
N10 Always N10 here
#501=1 ?
#502=32 Tool number
#503=30. Wind handle to this X point TOOL DEFINITION AREA
#504=10. Wind handle to this Z point
#507=1 ?
#509=1 Start of incremental 509=1 then +1 each time
#510=0.1 Feedrate set
M50 Always an M50 here
IF[#531EQ1] GOTO 502 STD statement repeats after M50 increment plus 1 (EQ1 and 502 become EQ2 and 503 etc)
M10 ?After the tool and position definition always M10
N502 After the tool and position definition always N--- from previous.
N20 N increments by 10
#500=1 ?
#501=1 ?
#502=32 Tool no again
#503=30. Wind to X
#504=10. Wind to Z REDEFINITON OF TOOL AND STOCK?
#505=19.2 Toolpath X extent/Stock?
#506=-25.4 Toolpath Z extent/Stock?
#507=14 ?
#508=1 ?
#509=2 #509= -+1 every time it comes up in the pgm.
#510=0.1 Feedrate again - use 510 anytime in pgm to change feed
M50 ?Always M50 here
IF[#531EQ2] GOTO 503 Always the increment here - read to next instance
M10 *
M11 *
G0X20.282Z0.141 Press rapid and arrive here.Same set of M codes before and after every time
M12 *
M13 *
G1X20.Z0.F0.1 #Start of normal G code- only G0- G1- G3 recognised, also R when cornering.
G1X20.Z-15.F0.1
G1X25.6Z-15.F0.1
G3X30.Z-17.2I0.K-2.2F0.1 GCODE
G1X30.Z-25.2F0.1
G1X30.282Z-25.059F0.1 #End of std G code
M14 *
M11 *
G0X50.Z35.. End position to go to for tool change - next tool
M12 *
M15 *
N503 From GOTO above
M50 From here always the same except for the #531 increment.
IF[#531EQ3] GOTO 504
N504
M16 FILE END
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