Probing routines help us make better parts EXCEPT when a chip gets stuck to the tip. Let’s solve this problem by adding a cleaning routine process! Not only do we want to add G-Code to incorporate this cleaning routine into our post processor back end, we also have the ability to add a check box to the Post Properties menu in Fusion 360. That means, it’s as simple as toggling the option on or off, depending on our needs! By using Visual Studio Code, we gain confidence in our ability to modify code just the way we want it!
Gcode Sample for Haas Blowoff
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
M1 //option stop
M6 T99 //call probe T99 for SMW
S150 M3 //rotate probe at 150RPM during blowoff
M83 //deploy air blast
G04 P1000 //dwell for one second
M84 //turn off air blast
M5 //turn off spindle rotation
All we need is a sub routine for the Haas control and a direct line of G code for PathPilot. This video covers how to use manual NC pass throughs instead of modifying the post processor. This can also be used to incorporate photos, videos, and even probing routines!
To run this 10th part check as a subroutine + alias code
1) Manual NC pass through in the CAM file: IF [[#3901 MOD 10] EQ 0] M157
2) Copy program 9005 below:
%
O09005
N30 M109 P10501 (Press Y when 10th Part QC complete) ;
IF [ #10501 EQ 0. ] GOTO30 (Wait for a key) ;
IF [ #10501 EQ 89. ] GOTO40 (Y) ;
GOTO30 (Keep checking) ;
N40 (A Y was entered) ;
GOTO50;
N50
M99
%
3) Set 9005 as alias 157 (Resource for Alias: https://nyccnc.com/using-haas-alias-codes-to-center-machine-over-vise/
Routers are typically designed to cut softer materials like wood, Delrin, and acrylic BUT how far can we push this Tormach 24R?
While we loved the Datron NEO…it was more machine than we needed for our acrylic fixture plate protectors. In the shop, we primarily cut aluminum and steel, so naturally, we wanted to try cutting those materials on the 24R. Let’s compare aluminum cuts on the Tormach 24R and Tormach 770M using the same speeds and feeds. Next, we’ll see if the 24R can cut steel. Throughout this video, we’ll discuss machine specs, helpful upgrades, and things to be aware of.
Workholding and fixturing are arguably one of the most challenging parts of being a machinist. Through the years, we’ve learned and shared several different ways to think about holding onto parts. In this video, we’ll cover several different ways to use CNC vises and 2,4,6, blocks. Hopefully this provides solutions or helps you generate new ideas for job shop parts or prototyping!
Soft jaws are an excellent way to hold workpieces and reduce the amount of setups when using a CNC milling machine! Soft jaws are extremely versatile and are often able to be reused. This workholding technique has been one of our go-to methods when there isn’t a good place to hold onto the part for Op2.
Expanding mandrels, chucks, and 5C Collets are great ways to hold round material in a CNC mill in a vise, mounted directly to a fixture plate, or a 4th Axis! Let’s walk through various fixturing examples we’ve used and hopefully help spark new ideas for holding your CNC projects.
Fixturing methods for parts too large for a traditional 6″ vise.
Let’s cover how to use low profile mod vises, super glue fixturing for large parts, brass toe clamps, mid-machining fixture repositioning, how to add manual NCs in Fusion 360, and more!
CNC Machining Workholding strategies for thin material and parts!
Thin parts will often flex if clamped in a traditional vise, so we need to use other methods such as clamping to a fixture plate, vacuum workholding, or superglue.
This strategy provides access to all sides of the part without introducing flex. This video covers how to use this workholding technique on various materials, tips, tricks, and more!
In this workholding technique, the raw material becomes the fixture, which means flipping for Op 2 is a breeze. This strategy can works great for 3-Axis, 4-Axis, and 5-Axis machines. Let’s cover what window machining is, why it’s a great strategy, and how we’ve used it. Hopefully this inspires or helps you create even better ways to hold your parts!
In 4 and 5 axis machining, workholding size matters.
Choosing workholding that is too large for the machine or the part can prevent the spindle, tool, or toolholder from reaching the part or worse–the spindle may come into contact with the workholding device or machine table. Let’s cover using collets, chucks, combining workholding devices, tabbing, window machining, and how to hold complex parts without datums!
Thermal growth affects part accuracy and repeatability way more than we realized.
If you have tooling, workholding, and toolpaths dialed in but are still having trouble with accuracy and repeatability, it may be related to thermal growth. Let’s talk about the importance of thermal stability, how slight, sudden changes in machine shop environment can blow tolerances, and how to use NC programs and variables to keep the lathe at the right temperature before parts are made!
gcode Snippet
This code snippet is what we use on our ST-20Y to check spindle temperature before running:
1 2 3
(Ensure spindle is warm)
#605= #13009
IF [#605 LT 680] THEN M30;
Add time stamps to your post processor without being an expert coder!
Being able to see when changes were last made or if you’ve got the most recent file is really important, especially when it comes to prototyping. Seth Madore provides the code and Visual Studio Code allows us to locate the exact place we need to input it!
Let’s program CAM toolpaths in Fusion 360, edit the post processor using Visual Studio Code, and CNC machine this motorcycle triple clamp on the Tormach microARC 4th Axis.
You might think problems that affect larger businesses won’t affect your small business or one-man operation—but they will!
Earlier this year, we reached a point where we needed to stop, re-evaluate, and “rebuild” or restructure the business for on-going growth and success. We’re sharing our progress–at least up to this point in terms of purging, organizing, and implementing an ERP system. Although it’s not finished, the changes thus far have made a major difference in how Saunders Machine Works produces fixture plates, fixture pallets, mod vises, and other products.
Rebuilding a machine shop is a lot of work!
Large tables tend to collect junk and clutter AND our shipping table was in dire need of help. After an Instagram post about a certain shipping table from Uline, David from Maker Pipe reached out! Their story is inspiring AND their product allowed us to make the exact tables we needed rather than trying to conform to something out of a catalog. Maker Pipe helped us design and put together the perfect assembly tables, fixture plate boxing station, and a drying/QC rack for the plates as well!
Shop Improvements
Installed forklift-accessible racking – by moving supplies such as raw material and shipping consumables to vertical racking we were able to save floor space and get organized.
Added refractometers to all machines – by adding digital refractometers to our machines everyone can effortlessly check the Brix of the coolant and top off the tank to replace evaporated water.
Sold or purged old tools – we’ve accumulated a lot of tools over the years. While this sounds great, it doesn’t lend itself to the lean manufacturing model we’re shooting for and unneeded tools had to go.
Moved all uncertain items to another area – related to the last point, anything we weren’t sure about moved to an out-of-the-way location. If we need it then the tool gets its own location on the shop floor, and after some period of time anything still left unused can go.
Got rid of large tables – some of our tables, such as our shipping and assembly tables, were fairly large tables. While more work area sounds great we found them to be magnets for clutter and things that didn’t belong. We found we had less room to work and had to spend more time cleaning with the larger tables, and instead we built small, purpose-built tables from Maker Pipe for doing certain tasks or working on certain products.
Ordered custom packaging for products – this one has a few benefits: packaging and shipping becomes easier on our end, products are safer in the hands of the shipping carrier, and presentation is greatly improved.
3D Printed T-slot covers – while most of our machines are outfitted with a Saunders Machine Works fixture plate (and use our Fixture Plate Plugs to block chips), a few still have exposed T-slots. We printed some drop-in covers that fill in the T-slot on our Prusa to make cleaning the machine that much easier.
Magnets! – often times we have multiple members of the team running multiple machines. We started using magnets to leave notes like “Feedrate override set!”, “Inserts need changed”, or “Vise not trammed” either as a note to someone else or a reminder before we start running the machine the next morning. These are easy to stick on the enclosure doors and impossible to miss.
Emergency tool drawers – have you ever needed that one specific collet and can’t find it anywhere in the shop? We started keeping backup sets of tools and consumables like collets and drill bits in a specific drawer. Containers are sealed, and if we have to crack into the emergency supply then the pre-printed paper tag on top of the container is given to someone to notify them we need to restock the emergency supply of that item.
3D printed assembly trays – many of our products require a few different hardware items in specific quantities. Counting these out by hand can be tedious, so we started 3D printing assembly trays to count out the correct amount of hardware and then dump them into a polyseal bag.
Be sure to check out E-Myth Revisited, a great business book that relates to what John talked about in this video.
My name is Vince Ramirez and I’ve recently joined the SMW team. I’m extremely passionate about cnc hobby machines and pushing them to their limits! This video is a walk through of the Tormach xsTECH Router machine features + speeds, feeds, tips, & tricks in Fusion 360 to machine a T-Nut.
