PowerMILL Excel SetupSheet plugin

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

Hi Everyone,

I've been working on another plugin last year that was just publicly released.  This one will let you create an excel template to export your setupsheets.  It gives you a bit more flexibility than the current setupsheet we have in PowerMILL.  On top of that, since the source code is available you can do whatever you want with it.  The plugin include a folder of sample files and some documentation as to how to use it.

I'm joining the pdf I made to give you an idea of what is available but also what can be done with it.

https://github.com/Autodesk/powermill-api-examples/tree/master/addin-excel-setup-sheet

Enjoy!

Michael

[nathanANTQX]

@jjohnybgood2 Attached is our template that has been quite useful, and it has some hidden columns with some added in for for clamping etc, with data validation, for the drop down lists in the clamping information, as well as machine numbers etc.... 

[jjohnybgood2]

@nathanANTQX

Do you have a modified Installer that will print out both tool list and NC Programmes on same sheet? Thank you.

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

You do not need another installer for that, you need to change the setupsheet template in the plugin options. I attached a template that does that on my previous post.

Michael

[jjohnybgood2]

Hi,

Thank you. I have it working now.

[jjohnybgood2]

Hi,

Can you help me to alter it so as it just lists the tool once for each different tool and the NC programmes with it. The template you just supplied lists every tool for every path where as I just want the tool list? Thank you

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

There should be two tabs at the bottom in Excel, one for the toolpath list, and one for the tool list only.

Also, in the install directory, there is a pdf file that goes over pretty much everything there is to know as far as setting up templates, you can take a look there.

Do you see that?

[jjohnybgood2]

OK I will have a look. Thank you

[nathanANTQX]

Good Morning Michael 

Thank you so much for the update, I am going to install the latest update today. I appreciate all the effort put in to this plugin. I have a question, if its possible to add, we often put text blocks into our programs with instructions, could that be added as a "fake" toolpath and used with the {toolpath.name} so it can be added within the toolpath list. as seen below?

Could the names of the Text blocks be Added into the setup sheet as indicated with the red notations. 

There is no Rush or urgency, If you have free time and are able to, please can it be added.

Powermill NC file with all the toolpaths and text blocks:       |           Setup Sheet output: 

                                      

Kind Regards Nathan

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

@nathanANTQX , quick update I thought might be interesting for you.

[jjohnybgood2]

Hi, I like this template LATEST 2024 - TEMPLATE but would like to add some more columns to the lower section.

Can anyone add the following columns to the template and attach it here for me to download?

These are what I want added if possible?

Toolpath Type

Plunge

Feed

RPM

Coolant

Air

Hope someone can help. I'm not too familiar with excel so not sure how to go about doing it myself.

Thank you

[jjohnybgood2]

Hi, I like this template LATEST 2024 - TEMPLATE but would like to add some more columns to the lower section.

Can anyone add the following columns to the template and attach it here for me to download?

These are what I want added if possible?

Toolpath Type

Plunge

Feed

RPM

Coolant

Air

Hope someone can help. I'm not too familiar with excel so not sure how to go about doing it myself.

Thank you

[AsaltedPnut]

Some Background the the 𐤃 ABC, thats the change in workplane angles, we use it to differentiate which toolpaths are on which side of the parts etc. You might not need them for your application. 

Add the following columns to the last page of the setup sheet:

column name -> variable name

RPM -> {toolpath.rpm}

Feed -> {toolpath.feed}

Coolant -> {toolpath.coolant}

Toolpath Type -> {toolpath.type} 

We use a Renaming Macro that renames all the toolpaths to a more unified way. mostly just the type of toolpath, with a few variations to differentiate between types of area clearance etc. ill send it on here once i am back at work. (which will remove the need for toolpath.type) 

There are more commands in the following spot on your C drive:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\Excel SetupSheet

[nathanANTQX]

Good Morning @jjohnybgood2 

As promised, here is our renaming macro that will rename toolpaths instead of the toolpath.type

here is an example: 

setup sheet: (note the above abbreviations i.e. PD (program diameter) comes from the thickness settings in hole feature set  machining, only when cutter comp is active, adds the thickness to the diameter of the hole, if thickness is 0.000 then PD is hole diameter.

Powermill:

[PCTECNI5]

Hi everyone, i've tried several times but it always crashes.

What am i doing wrong??

 

Thank to anyone who hae 5 minutes to give me a solution.

[glen_h]

@michael.grenier4GVTU 

I know this is an older topic...but it seems that programmers are still using this setup sheet plugin.

I would like to give it a try...but before I do...

Is there a way to add conditional formatting to cells in the resulting excel sheet once Powermill has exported the setup sheets?

For example, I would like to have a cell that displays the Gauge Length of the tool. If that tool length value ends up being greater than 13.77"...I want the cell background to be Yellow.

My first thought is that it wouldn't make any sense to add conditional formatting to the excel template sheet...since the cell would only contain Powermill Parameters.

But...if there were conditional formatting...and Powermill filled in the appropriate values...would the conditional formatting carry over to the resulting excel setup sheet?

Thanks,

Glen

[jarryd_barrJ32M9]

I really like this idea. I did something similar but with a little less information and some interactable objects for company records. Makes it a little easier on the more old school guys.

I built a macro that outputs a .csv and then the operators on the floor can open said setup sheet for verification and sign off. Its a third party software that requires a login from each operator but this way they cant edit the setup sheets as well. 

Included a picture of the interface. Redacted some information for company privacy.

[jjohnybgood2]

Hello,

Can anyone add these to the attached setup sheet as I am having problems doing it myself?

RPM 

Feed

Air

Coolant 

Can you also make a copy of that modified version and add

Toolpath Type

So I will have two updated versions then attach on here for me to download and use.

Thank you for your help.

[nathanANTQX]

Good Morning Michael.

Hope 2026 has been a good one so far. 

I know that the setup sheet plugin was started as a passion project, which has now become an absolute corner stone of how our company functions. The default HTML setup sheet is absolutely hell to work with. (been trying to make a decent HTML setup sheet since 2022 with no luck)

Unfortunately I have come across a project that absolutely refuses to make as setup sheet, it crashes the minute you hit generate. 

And with no other options to get a projects info out to the shop floor.

I know this plugin was never intended to become a full-time support project, so I completely understand that your time is limited. That said, if you are able to offer any guidance or insight into what could be causing the crash, it would really help us out.

• I have tried to eliminate all the known causes of the plugin failing. ( trailing spaces, special characters etc)
• Restarted the local pc a few times
• Uninstall plugin and reinstall.

I have attached the zipped basic project.  

This was done on version 1.0.14 

PowerMill 2026 standard & Ultimate

Kind regards Nathan

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

Hi Everyone,

I made a few fixes to the plugin so I thought I would share the updated version to everyone just in case you've been having crashes, this might fix them depending on the problem.