topic Re: macro help for changing the output and model location workplanes in NC Program in PowerMill Forum

macro help for changing the output and model location workplanes in NC Program

travisb3WVSU — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:52:57 GMT

Here is what I got so far. I wanted a way to change workplanes for every toolpath when I brought in a new workpiece. So far this works to switch from a workplane named "OLD" to a user input text for a different workplane. I also have it delete "OLD" workplane in the NCGLOBAL page and that works. The program I am having is getting the user input text to also change the output and model location workplane. I don't know how to enter the variable to make it automated.

Here is what I got:

//THE INTENTION OF THIS MACRO IS TO REPLACE THE WORKPLANE FOR ONLY THOSE TOOLPATHS

//USING WORKPLANE "OLD" WITH WORKPLANE NAMED BY USER INPUT PROMPT for "new workplane name"

string wpName = ""

string oldwpname = "OLD"

STRING $UserInputText= INPUT "new workplane name"

DEACTIVATE TOOLPATH

GRAPHICS LOCK

FOREACH tp IN folder('Toolpath') {

$wpName = $tp.workplane.name

IF $wpName == $oldwpname {

DEACTIVATE TOOLPATH

INVALIDATE TOOLPATH NOQUERY $tp.name

$tp.workplane = $UserInputText

ACTIVATE TOOLPATH $tp.Name

EDIT TOOLPATH $tp.Name REAPPLY

}

GRAPHICS UNLOCK

FORM NCGLOBAL

►►EDIT NCPROGRAM ALL MODELLOCATION ""◄◄ This is where I need help

►►EDIT NCPROGRAM ALL WORKPLANE ""◄◄ This is where I need help

NCGLOBAL APPLY

NCGLOBAL ACCEPT

DELETE WORKPLANE "OLD"

Re: macro help for changing the output and model location workplanes in NC Program

kevin.hammond3WX4X — Tue, 07 May 2024 06:23:50 GMT

If i save a template file and wish to change the output workplane referenced by the tool paths i use the following to change the workplane.....

//Create a list of NCPrograms in session and prompt user to select those for post change
ENTITY LIST NCPrograms = INPUT ENTITY MULTIPLE NCPROGRAM "Select NCPrograms for Output WP change"

ENTITY LIST $Workplane = INPUT ENTITY Workplane "Pick Workplane for PGM Output"
string $WP = $Workplane.name

Activate Workplane $WP

//change out wp in selected programs
FOREACH $pg IN NCPrograms {
ACTIVATE NCProgram $pg.Name

EDIT NCPROGRAM # SET WORKPLANE $wp
NCTOOLPATH APPLY
}

So basically a foreach command rather globally , hope this is of some use.

Re: macro help for changing the output and model location workplanes in NC Program

travisb3WVSU — Wed, 08 May 2024 20:54:14 GMT

Thank you. I am going to give this a try

Re: macro help for changing the output and model location workplanes in NC Program

travisb3WVSU — Wed, 08 May 2024 22:05:06 GMT

This worked so well. I made a few changes and added it into my original macro now the whole process is automated and the user can select the workplane and the nc programs to change right at the beginning. Thank you so much for your help this made my day.