I have a .nc program setup for a project that I have made several times. One of the files is 26.8MB large, and UGS only handles 24MB ok, It will run the file but I lose all GUI functionality and have to E-Stop the machine to quit the program.. I want to use VScode and split the file in half and name it Parallel 1 and Parallel 2.
Do I copy/paste the last half to a new file and add the initializing first few lines to it , and also add the last few lines the the new end from the tail of the parallel 2 file… Or ???
I can only tell you what I’ve done so take that with a grain of salt. I find a spot where the Z retracts to safe height and put an M30 there. Then I copy the rest and start a new file with the same initial G20, G90, F50 as an example. Now I don’t have a tool changer or spindle, so I just turn the router off and head back to home, load up the part 2 and start the new file.
I suppose it depends on what CAM program you are using if the settings would stay the same.
An M6 allows a tool change, so perhaps an M6 followed by a retraction and G0X0Y0 would keep the controller settings the same. It will be interesting to see what others say. I don’t know if powering off the controller has the same effect as just loading a new program while it’s on. I suspect leaving the power on and opening a new file keeps the settings from the previous file until they are changed.
Right, I’m also wanting to stop the program cycle to return the next day…
This piece is also two sided with five tool changes per side, and takes two days to cut providing I start around 8am and side one finishes around 3pm with manual tool changes. I’m also using a symmetrical through drill pattern to reference the second side with.
I recently learned to set Z0 to the bottom/wasteboard that way when you face the part and you still have a tool/part origin for when you change tools, you can set your Z height…