For whatever reason, Creo does not offer the ability to set a default clearance distance per machine. I do not always remember all the travels on our machines and would like to set default clearance values to solve that issue.
I basically want to set a relation that states:
IF work cell = "insert machine name"
clearance = XX.XX
However to do this, I need to know the parameter names to pull for the work center and the clearance, and I do not know them. Does anyone know what those parameters are, or know a better way to do this?
ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Accepted Solutions
You can set your config.pro to look at a specific directory you setup to contain “startparts” using option mfg_start_model_dir – this directory could have multiple manufacturing files (perhaps one for each machine or machine type) and you would select which one to use when you create a new manufacturing file. Config option template_mfgnc will allow you to select which manufacturing file will be your default.
I find startparts to be very powerful, I choose this workflow to address the differences between machine tools, each startpart can contain some or all of the following:
Coordinate system, datum planes, points Named views Workcells With active SITE files Post processor # defined Operations With predefined retract plane Geometry: Surfaces, copy geom, publish geom Cutting tools loaded into workcell – could align with shop standardized tooling Workpiece NC Sequences Which can be copied/pasted quickly and could contain custom relations/parameters Associated drawing files – to generate setup sheets Annotation elements – for reference Drill tap chart, etc. Fixture representations
You can use the postprocessors and not the built in machine.
Inside the PP you set the parameters.
You can give it out with step by step, but the first PP calls the second machine. And the second oculd call the third.
All with different spindle speeds for instance.
P.S.: Is there a way to automate the generatoin of the NCL and PP Files with one click?
I know you can give out all out sequences merged to one CL-file with using the operation or a set, but we give out every sequence on its own.
It would be nice if we could put out all sequences, i.e. 1_xx, 2_xx and so on with one command/click.
What you CAN do, is generate a XML Template:
So you set the desired value in the operation, right click on it and save as a template.
You make one for each machine. Then, you load that template with the way shown in the second picture.
That is the best help I can give you.
Export after filling in the params.
Load the XML Template
P.S.: If you look in the xml template, ther are interesting values... but.. I found no way to use them within creo..
It would be a great help for anybody in every situation to have a list of ALL parameters in Creo NC.
I would love to have access to the sequence number but how do I manage this? What is the name of the parameter?
In your case maybe it helps you because then it is set as a standard or you select which set of the setups you use.
Thank you for that list and your quick response!
The first paragraph I wrote was concerning my problem when outputting CL_Data,
I have no idea where to get the param that gives me the STEP NO'# for each step.
I just get the Name, not the Step Number.
The second paragraph with the picture I made, addresses the question of the threadstarter.
Now the list you made is about the parameters for the machining/process,for creating that step and the calculation of the path.
What I look for, is laying "above" that parameter of the step, it is the naming and output of the cl_file. I can access very much through the Process Manager, but also there I am searching and searching for an answer, Please have a look at my two screenshots concerning this problem.
Maybe this forum helps, but there were others that asked and never got an answer to this..
Like in this thread: Parameter Sequence Number
It is old and locked, but also dewscribes my problem pretty well.
Right now I use a workaround and manually put in the "_1" and so on, so the name is taken from the project. But even this equation is not saved as a parameter when I save that for another project. Equations are not handed over - another thing I have not found out.
Another thing is, when I make a documentation, the sequence number is inserted. So somehow this is sure accessible, but it is not documented.
Ot there is a .pro parameter, that gives the NCL Naming a sequence number right from the start. But I want to give the sequence the same name and not i.e. for sequence number 1: "Schruppen_VS_D32".
I want the name to be OS_1842_NC_01 or 01_OS_1842_NC.
Look at the third pic, it is from the report that is generated.
Pic1
Pic2
Pic3
Thank you very much, This is very helpful.
I will need time to use this knowledge.
But there are Parameters that start with the "PRO_E_MFG" Name. So it is all try and error (the fastest to test is within the Expression Check:
So I can say
PTC_MFG_PRM_CL_FILE = rel_model_name+"_01"
and that works fine.
You can also, and that nags me, use ZMIN to show how deep the tool goes down o fthe Workpiece Coordinate System.
UNofrtunately again, it can not be shown inside the process manager.
To get there what ZMIN already knows, I have to calculate Z Minimum - "The length of the workpice in Z-direction"
to get the desired result.
But how to put that ZMIN into the report?
How can I set local parameters for every sequence with one command? 🙂
You wrote:
Pro/ReportI do not know how to access all the parameters you can access in drawing mode while in your manufacturing assembly – mfg.actoper.step for instance
There is no mfg.actoper.step, it is just another submenu to it. And then there is no step# but only name.
No number.
Here is a screenshot to show you all possible parameters:
How can I set local parameters for every sequence with one command?
I believe you can do this via the process manager> tools> global parameters – you can set the parameter type and a default value… you might also consider global relations from this same menu if you want to include a relations to calculate the value of the parameter.
The example below will create parameter = GLOBAL_PRAM_TEST in NC sequences
This is a good consideration, an it works!
I tried it before, but not in this way:
you can use a local variable in a global equation.
So you write in the Global Equation:
ZvarToUse=zmin
Unfortunately I can not use this Parameter to access it in the Processmanager!
But it shows:
I could use this new knowledge if I knew how to get a stepNumber# for every step..
then I could say globally:
myvariable="myfilename"+itos(stepNumber#)
I am running Creo 8.0.7.0 and all my tests have been using a 5 axis mill workcell.
I added LOCALZ_MIN as shown and it appeared to work for me:
is this close to what you are trying to do but instead of PTC_MFG_PRM_CL_FILE = rel_model_name+"_"+ITOS(MACHINING_DISTANCE) you want PTC_MFG_PRM_CL_FILE = rel_model_name+"_"+ITOS(STEP_NUM) ?
Is it good or bad that if you re-order NC sequences it will change the name?
Thank you, great work!
Well, I use Creo 3 M190
I can also use Creo 4, but there is nothing better 😕
I can add a global Relation that works like this one:
myvar = rel_model_name+"_"+ITOS(zmin)
and then I can see the correct value.
What I can not do is: use Step_num (There is no such parameter).
And what I fail to do is: create a new row with lets say localz_min in the process manager that shows a value.
Where do you create your own parameter?
Do you create it also here, in "Toolsparameter" (user defined)?
Is it good or bad that if you re-order NC sequences it will change the name?
It is good, I need it to work that way. But as I said, there is not Parameter Step_num
I add the parameter I created as a "feature parameter" and just type it in, then "add column" - very similar to configuring the model tree:
Thank you!! It worked!
It is the feature parameter NOT the tools Parameters (User Defined).
I changed creo to english to find the correct Group
go into the C:\PTC\Creo x.0\Mxxx\Parametric\bin, copya the parametric.psf to a new one,
add this line to the bottom
// Add User specific environment or run applications below here
this line -> ENV=PRO_LANG=english
and then it is easier to find the right names and params.
Right now I can just guess, but in german it might be the KE-Parameter
And if I add zmin there, it also works! This way, I can generate a report with the zmin without calculating anything. The yknow then how deep the tool dives into the part if they want to go deep into a pocket.
The only thing that I need now is the step number 🙂
Thank you very much!
P.S.:
As has to be said again, we an look nto the saved xml files like the
mfg_session_setup.xml
for instance and findout how the parameters are named.
here is a little excerpt from it:
<ColumnCollection LockedNum="2">
<Column Num="1" Width="4">
<Property Label="Schritt #" Name="STEP_NUM" Type="ANCPP_PARAM"/>
</Column>
<Column Num="2" Width="20">
<Property Label="Name" Name="PRO_E_FEAT_NAME" Type="NC_SETUP_ITEM"/>
</Column>
<Column Num="3" Width="20">
<Property Label="Werkzeug" Name="PRO_E_TOOL" Type="NC_SETUP_ITEM"/>
</Column>
<Column Num="4" Width="12">
<Property Label="SCHRUPP_AUFMASS" Name="ROUGH_STOCK_ALLOW" Type="MFG_PARAM"/>
</Column>
<Column Num="5" Width="8">
<Property Label="SCHLICHT_AUFMASS" Name="FINISH_STOCK_ALLOW" Type="MFG_PARAM"/>
As you can see, there is step_num, but it is not working. The rest of the parameters can be accessed.
To try out those that are of interest, you go into the equation editor and check them here:
P.S.: It has to do someting with the place where this parameter is accessed to.
You can see there is written also the TYPE.
I.e. Name="STEP_NUM" Type="ANCPP_PARAM"
So, what is the place where I can access an ANCPP_PARAM.
As you found out, the zmin is at:
Name="ZMIN" Type="MFG_INFO_PARAM"/>
So, the feature parameter is called the MFG_INFO_PARAM
When I check the box "Always use Operation Retract" it is not even forcing any single step to retract to that operation Value.
So not even this is working for me (Still working with Creo 3 and being happy with this, for in newer versions are only new gimmicks but not really fixes implemented).
And I do not know the value either (it could be named "PRO_E_RETR_SURF_VALUE" but is not working..) and have to manually change the retract value for every step.
A workaround would be, that we export the steps that shall have a different retract value with the process manager
change the "PRO_E_RETR_SURF_VALUE" in an xml editor like notepad++,
and load this again with the process manager into the new project with the different machine.
here int the process manager
here, in the maching tab:
P.S.: i guess I am understanding the "Always use Operation Retract" wrong.
Sorry, maybe it helps in one or an other way
ok, different approach:
Use the normal parameters.
create clearance as a parameter.
Write this into the field:
If this works also for you, then you can do something like, because you said you have not all values in your head, do something like this:
If You have machine1 clearance=40
machine2 clearance=50,
then you write inside the field clearanceMach1
and if it is the second machine clearanceMach2 and so on.
The Values are set in the parameter field
clearanceMach1=40
clearanceMach2=50
