Machine Configuration Editor

The Machine Configuration Editor is used to define how a machine is set up and configured. Once a machine has been defined, it can be used in the Backplot to simulate how an NC program will run on that machine. Please note, however, that in order to simulate the entire machine, with features such as collision detection, this require that the CIMCO Machine Simulation add-on is purchased.

Users can configure the axis components of the machine, travel limits, feedrates and tool change position. Model geometry can also be added to individual machine component for use with CIMCO Machine Simulation.

Ad can be seen below, the Machine Configuration Editor is divided into three sections: Configurations, Machine View and Properties.

Step 1: Locate the 'Global Setup' tab and select 'Machine Configuration'.

Step 2: Click 'Add' and in the 'Description' box input the machine name.

Step 3: Under 'Template', choose the control type for the machine using the drop down menu.

Step 4: Select the machine in the 'Machine Configuration' section and then locate 'Backplot' in the Global Setup. Click the 'Edit Machine Configuration' icon to open the Machine Configuration Editor.

Step 5:

To add a machine configuration, right click 'Mill' and select 'Add configuration'. The machine configuration will appear in the 'Configurations' section as 'New'.

Step 6:

Click on the 'New' machine configuration. This will open the machine configuration tree in the Machine View section of the Machine Configuration Editor. This section allows the user to define the machine.

Step 7:

Select the machine component 'New' to edit the machine name and unit system.

Note: The Unit system is used for limits, center of rotation and feedrate.

Step 8:

Right click 'Head' to add a linear axis, a rotary axis or geometry to the head section of the machine.

Step 9:

Add a linear axis to the 'Head' by right clicking 'Head' and selecting 'Add linear axis'. This will add a linear axis and open the configurable parameters in the ‘Properties’ section, the axis can now be defined by inputting the specific values.

Address = Select the drop down menu and select the specific axis, X, Y or Z.

Limit +/- = Input the max/min values of the axis.

Feedrate = Input the federate of the axis.

Step 10:

Right click 'Table' to add a linear axis, a rotary axis or geometry to the table section of the machine.

Step 11:

Add a rotary axis to the 'Table' by right clicking 'Table' and selecting 'Add rotary axis'. This will add a rotary axis and open the configurable parameters in the ‘Properties’ section, the axis can now be defined by inputting the specific values.

Address = Select the drop down menu and select the specific axis, X, Y or Z.

Limit +/- = Input the max/min values of the axis.

Feedrate = Input the federate of the axis.

Direction = Input the value for the vector direction in the parameter box corresponding with its axis of rotation.

Center = Input the value of the center of rotation in the parameter box corresponding with its axis, X, Y and Z

Note: To add a second axis to a machine component, right click the component and select either 'Add linear axis', 'Add rotary axis'.

Step 12:

Add geometry to an axis by right clicking an axis and select 'Add geometry', select the location of the STL model and choose 'Open'.

Note: The CAD Model/STL models of a machine must be set in relation to the machine zero position and the origin set to the tip of the spindle nose.

Name = The name is determined by the name of the STL file.

Unit system = Input unit measurement, metric or imperial.

Colour = Select the colour of STL model.

Note: The 'Unit system' that is applied in the machine configuration will control what scale is used in Machine Simulation. Metric models will be scaled up if an imperial machine configuration is chosen in Machine Simulation and vice versa.

Step 13:

To configure the tool change position, select 'Tool Changer (Chain)' in the Machine View section. The configurable parameters in the ‘Properties’ section will appear, the tool change position can now be defined by inputting the specific values.

Step 14:

Input the position in relation to each axis during the tool change. Click in the box beside the axis to determine a value.

Step 15:

In the drop down selection, choose the order in which the axis move during the tool change.

No Move = Axis will not move during tool change.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th = Determines the order the axis move during the tool change.

1st = axis will move first during the tool change, etc.

Note: The tool change position can only be specified once all axis have been configured.

Step 16:

Machine configurations can be saved by right clicking and selecting 'Save'. All saved machine configurations appear in the ‘Configurations’ section of the Machine Configuration Editor.

Note: A machine will not have the option to 'Save' if the configuration has errors. A prompt will appear with a red cross beside the machine component that contains the error.

Note: All saved machine configurations are saved in a sub folder which can be found in the directory, C-Drive > CIMCO > CIMCOEditMachineSim8 > Machine Simulation. Users can use saved configurations on multiple PC’s by copying and pasting the machine configuration sub folders into the directory listed above on the individual PC.

If machine models are included in the configuration, then sub folders will be created when saving the configuration. The fully defined machines will automatically be available when running Machine Simulation.

If a machine configuration does not include machine models, then only the .mcfg file needs to be copied and pasted. The machine models can then be added to the configuration within CIMCO Machine Simulation using the Geometry manager.

Step 17:

Delete a machine configuration by right clicking and selecting 'Delete'.

Machine Configuration Errors:

If an incorrect parameter has been entered, an error will show with a prompt. A red cross will also appear beside the machine component that contains the error. A machine configuration will not be able to be saved until the errors have been resolved.

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