off limit zones

[donek]

I'm curious to know if there is a way of generating zones on a part that the tool can not pass over. If I'm holding a part down with a clamp and I want PW to ensure it never moves the cutter over that zone, can I define such regions when creating my part files?

[adrianm]

No.

You need to make sure that the Clearance (Z1) is set high enough to clear any clamps that might be in the way when moving across the part.

[garyc]

Sean...
A couple thoughts based on what I have seen of your production jig setup.

1) Draw the out of bounds areas in PWks, set to a separate layer... maybe even color red?

2) Have a 0,0 coordinate set for each of your jig stations. Use a C# file to move to that location and set table based coords for the cutting area of that station. Turn software limits on.

When moving to the next station: Limits off, reassign 0,0 corner, jog there and repeat.

[donek]

Thanks guys. Partworks can do so many cool things. I thought they might have incorporated such a feature. It's no big deal, I've worked around these situations for a long time. I just thought I might be missing some other cool feature.

[Bob Eustace]

Sean...
2) Have a 0,0 coordinate set for each of your jig stations. Use a C# file to move to that location and set table based coords for the cutting area of that station. Turn software limits on.

When moving to the next station: Limits off, reassign 0,0 corner, jog there and repeat.

Garry could you kindly advise a dum dum how to go about making a C# file please as we have similar requirements. How does one set software limits?

Many thanks

Bob & Chrissy - Australia

[donek]

Garry could you kindly advise a dum dum how to go about making a C# file please as we have similar requirements. How does one set software limits?

Many thanks

Bob & Chrissy - Australia

C# file refers to a custom cut file. This works on older PR and PRT machines. The newer PRS machines can call a custom cut file with CN. You probably use a c2 to zero against a contact plate and a c3 to zero with your limit switches. C# and CN are used for custom files with 2 digit numbers. You can have up to 99 custom cut files. To edit a custom cut file use the shopbot editor to edit a .sbc file and store it in the custom folder. You'll find several examples/existing custom cut files in that folder. Just use a number that is not being used.

The VL command allows you to set limits that the machine can not move beyond. You can of course use this command within your custom file.

[garyc]

Bob...
Like Sean says, I was referring to a custom cut file. All versions of the software can call one up by using the letter "C" and a single number (1 thru 9). Some of these are very common as they call up the ZZero file (C2) or the XYZero file (C3).

The older versions of the software used C#,XX to call up the double digit Custom File numbers, and the newer ones use CN,XX to do the same. Either way they just call up a file or routine that in many cases has been customized by the user of that machine.

This will probably surprise a lot of users, but to find info on part file editing, commands, operational instructions or the keyboard and keypad command shortcuts, look under the help menu in SB3 software. You will have to have adobe reader installed to read them as they are mostly in PDF format.

More info on the Custom files is included in the files. You can navigate with Windows Explorer to C:\SbParts\ Custom. All of the custom files are there, double click to open in the ShopBot Editor. Read over the existing and once you get your feet wet, ask your questions here on the forum. There are lots of scary smart people here.

The software limits, are set and toggled with the [V] [L] command (or [S] [F] command), allows you to set software limits for your table. Once set and toggled on, it will notify you if your current partsfile is "out of bounds" and allow you to edit the file before you run it and possibly crash.