// 2. Create Workplane CREATE WORKPLANE ; "Setup_WP" ACTIVATE WORKPLANE "Setup_WP"
This is where become indispensable.
FOREACH $surf IN COMPONENTS('Surface') { ACTIVATE COMPONENT $surf CREATE TOOLPATH ; "TP_$surf" FINISHING EDIT TOOLPATH "TP_$surf" PATTERN "Raster" CALCULATE TOOLPATH "TP_$surf" } Check if something exists before acting. This prevents crashes. powermill macro
// 3. Create Boundary from Stock CREATE BOUNDARY ; "Rough_Boundary" BOX EDIT BOUNDARY "Rough_Boundary" LIMIT_Z_MAX $Stock_Thick ACTIVATE BOUNDARY "Rough_Boundary" This prevents crashes
You see the logic. Next week, you can copy this file, change the diameter to 12mm, and rename the tool in 30 seconds (as opposed to re-recording). Part 3: The Macro Command Reference (The Essentials) To write effective macros, you must understand the hierarchy of PowerMill objects. The standard flow is: Activate -> Edit -> Process . Next week, you can copy this file, change
// Create a 10mm End Mill CREATE TOOL ; "10mm_EndMill" ENDMILL EDIT TOOL "10mm_EndMill" DIAMETER 10 EDIT TOOL "10mm_EndMill" OVERALL_LENGTH 75 EDIT TOOL "10mm_EndMill" LENGTH 30 // Set Speeds and Feeds SET TOOL "10mm_EndMill" SPINDLE_SPEED 8000 SET TOOL "10mm_EndMill" FEED_CUTTING 1500
$Tool_Diameter = 12 $Stepover = $Tool_Diameter * 0.4 CREATE TOOL ; "Adaptive_EM" ENDMILL EDIT TOOL "Adaptive_EM" DIAMETER $Tool_Diameter This is where you save hours. Imagine you have 50 surfaces and you want to create a toolpath for each one. Instead of 50 macros, use a loop.