Set

The "Set" function help to approach and managing complex NC programs. It allows you to group operations together based on users needs criteria, making your program more organized and easier to edit.

Accessing the "Set":

1. Right-click on "Machining" in then select ‘List of Operations’ .

2. This will open the "List of Operations" menu.

Double-clicking the Machining icon opens the List of Operations window.

Grouping Operations with "Set":

In the List of operations, the "Set" column allows you to assign numbers to group related operations.

For example, you can group operations by:

• Part Settings: Assign the same number to operations that use the same settings (e.g., top face, bottom face, side face).

• Tools: Group operations that use the same tool for easier tool path management.

• Operations: Group similar operations (e.g., all roughing passes, all finishing passes).

Controlling Output with "Set":

• The number assigned to a "Set" determines if the operation appears in the final NC program: Selected "Set" Numbers: Operations with the selected "Set" number will be included in the NC program.

• Unselected "Set" Numbers: Operations with unselected "Set" numbers will be excluded from the NC program and will be marked with a "Set icon with a red cross" indicating their exclusion.

Generating the NC Program:

• Once you've assigned "Set" numbers, you can generate the NC program.

• The program will only include operations with the selected "Set" numbers.

In this example ‘Automatic Set on Selection’ can be use to output the Bottom Face operations. Simply right-click on the desired operations and choose "Automatic Set on Selection" from the menu.

• Automatic Set on Selection will automatically assign unique numbers to selected operations, simplifying the process.

▶️ This video walks you through using the 'Set' function to generate NC programs by tool being used.

▶️ This video demonstrates defining part settings and using 'Set' to generate NC programs for specific Part settings.

How to Use Set Groups:

1. Access: Look for the "Group of Set" option in the machining menu tree.

2. Loading Groups:

   • Groups are created and saved as ".GSU" files (Set Machining Group).

   • Once loaded, a list of available groups appears.

   • These groups are saved within the software and don't need to be reloaded each time.

Creating SET Groups:

1. Edit Menu: Open the "Edit" menu within the SET Group function.

2. Group Definition:

   • A window appears where you can define groups and their associated active sets.

   • Create different groups for various needs.

   • Each group can contain a list of active sets (machining operations).

   • Set numbers range from 0 to 255.

   • The same set number can be included in multiple groups.

3. Activating/Deactivating Sets:

   • Use checkboxes to enable/disable individual sets within a group.

   • Click on a line (0-9) to activate/deactivate all sets in that range.

   • Click a column header to toggle all sets within that column.

   • Click the box at the intersection of rows and columns to toggle all sets.

4. Group Management:

   • Use the tree functions to add, rename, delete, copy, and paste groups.

   • Drag and drop functionality allows easy group organization.

5. Saving Groups:

   • Once defined, save the group set as a ".GSU" file in the designated "lay" directory.

Example: Two-Spindle Machine:

Imagine a machine with two spindles. You want to create different programs for various production stages:

• Start Program (Empty Machine): Machine is initially empty, with a new workpiece on the main spindle.

• Loop Program (Production Cycle): Machine is actively producing, machining two parts simultaneously.

• End Program (Production Complete): Only the finished part remains on the take-up spindle.

SET Groups allow you to define sets for each program (start, loop, end cycles). By activating or deactivating specific sets, you can generate and simulate the three separate programs needed for this scenario.