how to create program to control robot plugin

[chenzhaoxiang2013]

hello,

currently, i am following the user guide of Powermill API and trying create program in Visual Studio with c#. I am attempting to create a command to control the robot plugin (robot program) to generate the .LS toolpath file. does anyone know the tips for creating the program to use robot plugin in Powermill?

[VitorMartinsAugusto]

You cannot control PRI as it is a plugin itself.

However, you can use the different specific PowerMILL commands that PRI uses.

Use the PowerMILL console to see what commands PRI is launching.

[chenzhaoxiang2013]

hello vma,

thank you for your reply. 

could you interpret more details about how to use the PowerMILL console to see what commands PRI is launching?

do you mean by checking the Macro echo command in powermill?

[VitorMartinsAugusto]

Hello,

Yes, you use ECHO COMMAND and then use a function of PRI. The relevant commands will be listed in the console.

You then need to try to understand what each command does...

Regards,

Vitor

[chenzhaoxiang2013]

hello Vitor,

not all function of PRI can correspond to a valid ECHO COMMAND, for instance, for 'robot program' plugin, the corresponding ECHO COMMAND does not work properly.

[VitorMartinsAugusto]

Hi,

Of course, PRI has its own algorithms, which do not correspond to plain PM commands.

You won't have access to those...

Your only way is to reprogram those algorithms yourself (lots of work, I know). But at least in theory it is possible to do everything that PRI does from your own application - you have access to the same core PM commands.

Regards,

Vitor

[chenzhaoxiang2013]

indeed, that is lots of work to reprogram those algorithms.

however, in the reference 'autodesk.prodectinterface.powermill' of visual studio, there exists many commands to access the parameters and functions of powermill. is it possible to access the plugin as well? or if there is any reference (.dll file) helpful with that?

[VitorMartinsAugusto · Accepted solution]

however, in the reference 'autodesk.prodectinterface.powermill' of visual studio,
there exists many commands to access the parameters and functions of powermill.
is it possible to access the plugin as well?

That is not possible.

Think of it like that:

POWERMILL <- OLE -> PLUGIN

PLUGIN is what YOU are programming. You get access to PowerMILL's function set.

In case of PRI, PRI is the plugin!

You cannot do this:

POWERMILL <- OLE -> PRI <-> PLUGIN

Why? Because PRI is itself a plugin and it does not offer any further interface to other applications to attach to it.

If you do a simple plugin, other programmers won't have access to your functions, either, unless you program a specific interface.

Hope this clears this up.

Regards,

Vitor