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.