rapid retract to height

[Mischief_Machine]

I run a high production machine and i am tired of the z axis retracting all the way home when it almost never needs to. 

i always hit : EDIT ALL toolpaths and set  the clearance heights to clear the parts mounted to my rotary. 

It wastes a ton of time. I run the same program for weeks on end, so I'm trying to optimize it as much as possible. 

I understand there is this "fear" that the z axis might not be up high enough to clear on a rotary tool path. but i mean come on guys. why do they disable that feature when using a rotary on the generic posts??? 

I've been trying to edit the post but i think I'm missing something, cant seem to find all the lines to edit or something. 

I'm using the Generic haas 4th axis with rotary pre NGC post. 

I found the lines that have the error on lines starting around 3460 but im not sure how to bypass that error code and get it to just post the code. 

/** Output block to do safe retract and/or move to home position. */
function writeRetract() {
var words = []; // store all retracted axes in an array
var retractAxes = new Array(false, false, false);
var method = getProperty("safePositionMethod");
if (method == "clearanceHeight") {
if (!is3D()) {
error(localize("Safe retract option 'Clearance Height' is only supported when all operations are along the setup Z-axis."));
}
return;
}
validate(arguments.length != 0, "No axis specified for writeRetract().");

[serge.quiblier]

Hello @Mischief_Machine 

why editing and trying to change the post, when the functionality is actually implemented.

After selecting the post, look at the properties defned in the post.

There is one for switching retract from G28 to G53 to simple G0 retract to clearance height.

This property is implemented in lots of our posts.

Cheers.

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[Mischief_Machine]

That is correct, but it does not work when I am machining on different
planes. ( Rotary )
They lock that out in the post and prevent it from posting the code
entirely.

Unless I'm missing something else?

[serge.quiblier · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mischief_Machine 

yes, we prevent using this option in 4 or 5 axis toolpaths, as we are not sure that the user has defined a safe retract for any move.

It can be easier in 4th axis but in 5 axis it's more challenging, that why we prevent the use of the clearance height.

For a safe retract in 5 axes, we should go to the bounding sphere of the part.

In 4 axes, the bounding cylinder would be enough.

Cheers.

[Mischief_Machine]

Ok, thank you for you valuable input, I will have to look into that
functionality.

[erikhardy339]

Digging this thread back up - is there a modification of the post processor to allow for safe retracts to be set to the clearance planes for 3+2 indexing? Listening to way covers bump uglies all day isn't fun. 

I understand the concern with the safe approach, however, be aware that there is a false sense of security if the clearance planes are not setup high enough to begin with for indexing applications. I've proven out a program without issues, then circular patterned it and ended up clipped endmills on parts. I think it happens when there is a Z+ operation patterned 4*90degrees, followed by a Z- operation.   

[Mischief_Machine]

Yeah, you have to modify your post. But it's well worth. I always draw a
circle centered around the center of rotation to verify my clearance height
is beyond anything it might clip during rotations. I'll also put points on
it to select. That way if I make the circle bigger later all i need to do
is re generate the program.

[erikhardy339]

@Mischief_Machine  - Can you provide an example Fusion part of how you set up your clearance planes? How were you able to modify the post to allow it?