FAQ - Machine Tool Environment

Question

How can I have 2 different tools in a synchronized cycle?

Solution

Define your Balanced Roughing/ Balanced Finishing cycle as usual with the required synchronization settings. In this case, since a single tool has been chosen, the same tool will be loaded twice in MTE.

To be able to set a different second tool, expand the cycle in the machining tree. Right-click on the existing tool select 'Add a different opposite tool'.

This will open the tool selection window again where you can choose the tool you require and validate.

Both tools will be visible in the machining tree now.

 You can watch a video explaining the application of the balanced synchronized cycles. Skip to 2.20 in the video to view the definition of 2 different tools for the cycle.

Question

How to duplicate tool in MTE?

Solution

In turning to duplicate tool,

1. Select the tool you want to duplicate in the Machine tooling area.

2. Right-click on the tool and select "Copy" and then, right-click “ Paste” it on the tool bar vector.

3. Go to List of tools

4. Change “Position choice” for the other cycles with the same tool and mount the tool on the turret.

Question

How does WanaGO determine if a machine can accept a part?

Solution

WanaGO determines if a machine can accept a part based on the following criteria:

1. Stock Size: The machine's mini and maxi stock sizes are compared to the dimensions of the workpiece. If the workpiece fits within these dimensions, the machine is considered capable.

2. Weight: If a material file with a density value is loaded, the weight of the workpiece is calculated. This weight is then compared to the machine's capacity. If the machine can handle the weight, it is considered suitable.

In essence, WanaGO ensures that the machine is both physically large enough to accommodate the part and strong enough to handle its weight.

Question

How to program a part on a rotary table?

Solution

1. Open the machine file.

2. Navigate to the "Work Holding Device " section.

3. Click on the folder next to the Main Setting to browse the available rotary table and choose the appropriate rotary table.

4. Click the "Validate" button to confirm your selection.

5. Right-click on the "Stock".

6. Choose the "Setting part and fixture" option.

   

7. Adjust the rotary table's coordinates and rotation angle.

8. Validate your settings.

9. Go to Machine > Tooling to view the rotary table in the MTE.

▶️ This video demonstrate a 4 axis programming of roughing and how to setup a rotary table.

Question

With a milling machine with 6 axes (3 angular axes), is there a mode to lock one angular axis and move the other two?

Solution

Yes, this is possible using appropriate part settings in your GO2CAM. For example, consider a 6-axis milling machine with:

• One angular axis on the table (C),

• Two angular axes on the head (B and A, with A inclined at 45°).

If you need to lock the C axis at a specific position (e.g., C180) and allow movement on B and A, you can achieve this by setting up a part setting in the CAM environment (e.g., GO2cam). Here's how:

1. Locking C Axis (Using BA Rotation)

   • Define a part setting with the C axis locked at the desired position (e.g., C180).

   • GO2cam will automatically calculate the necessary B and A movements.

2. Locking A Axis (Using CB Rotation)

   • Define another part setting with A fixed at a position (e.g., A0).

   • GO2cam will then compute the required movements for B and C to perform the operation.

Question

My tool machines the opposite side of the profile selection because it is positioned on the lower rack of the machine. How can I properly program this tool?

Solution

3 solutions are possible:

1. Change tool position to upper rack

   The first solution is to simply move the required tool to the upper rack if feasible and program as usual.

2. Program with lower silhouette

   To avoid any issue, use the lower silhouette for profile selection.

   Also ensure the orientation of the tool and the tool cycle type is changed accordingly so as the cycle is computed.

3. Change the Machining Planes in MTE - Tooling

   In the Machining Planes command, change the machining axes for the required cycles to X- or X+ accordingly to have the system automatically compute the accurate toolpaths.

Question

How can I park the turret in 2 or more positions?

Solution

In MTE extra settings for the machine, only a single position can be set for the Parking function.

The solution to have multiple parking positions is to use the Move a component function.

It is recommended to define the function as an opelist to facilitate reuse. See the video on the right.

Question

How can I properly index my tool on a turret with multiple indexing position per station?

Solution

From Version 6.12.204 we can manage this situation!

An example is used for a turret with 12 stations and 24 indexing positions!

To index a tool on the turret define the indexing angle in the toolholder. In the clamping/ toolholder creation module, open the required toolholder and in the mounting options, insert the angle which is 15 deg (360/24) for this setup and save. When using the indexing the turret command, it can be seen that both tools on the toolholder are indexed properly.

Issue

Why do I still have red warnings for unreachable angles in the machine planes dialog even though I have properly oriented my tool angle to reach the machining face?

Solution

Cause of the problem:

This is usually an issue with the precision set for measurements in the Software configurations. Measured values are rounded off to the precision set while the actual angle is at a higher degree of precision, thus causing the problem.

Solution for the issue:

Set the precision to higher degrees in Software configuration to obtain the true angle value.

The Delta angle value is provided in the Information dialog when opening the Machining Planes dialog. Copy the value and add it to the oriented angle of the required tool.

Recommended practice:

There is no need to adjust the measurement precision in Software configurations.

Set the tool rotation angle to 0 and open the Machining planes dialog.

The delta angle to set the tool is provided in the information dialog warning, at the required precision.

Copy and paste the value for the tool rotation.

Question

Why do I have a different number of mounted tools than the number of tools I have used for programming when I do automounting?

Solution

Cause of the problem:

Often, the same tool is defined for multiple operations but requires distinct mounting positions in the machine for each. GO2cam usually automatically detects when a tool is needed multiple times and duplicates it during automounting.

In some cases, the automatic detection may fail and the tool is not duplicated, instead the same tool is given multiple tool position numbers. If a tool cannot reach the angle/direction it needs to machine, the line in the List of Tools window will be displayed in red, preventing the MTE simulation from running.

Solution 1 for the issue:

When launching the automounting process, tick the “Reset of tool numbers” checkbox. This refreshes the detection algorithm and ensures the tool list is accurate.

This method resets all tool numbers, including any manually set.

Solution 2 for the issue:

Perform automounting as usual without resetting. The List of Tools dialog displays the same position choice three times, for example, for the 10mm drill. For similar tools, a combo box provides a dropdown list of suitable position choices.

This allows to manually set the positions for each of them.

Watch a video demonstrating such an operation.