So here I was thinking that I was doing well with learning my way around the CAM software after modeling ten parts on the CAD side and exporting my first POST code.
Then I walked into a HAAS Mill class and saw how manually writing code works and was crushed. All I saw was a blur of letters and numbers and I felt like a complete idiot for not having a clue what anyone was talking about.
Tonight is day three and also testing day. I am just hoping not to completely bomb a ten question test because missing 2 or 3 at ten points each would be a disaster.
The class book is very thorough and so are the HAAS user manuals. Now I get to go back and figure it out by reverse engineering my first CAM post to connect the dots. Just like any other computer-based program, knowing how to do it manually makes you better at using the automatic way and you can look for errors. Still feels like I took a GIANT step backwards.
On to the next challenge
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When my students go to machine to run their part, they are in single step mode and must tell me what each line of code will do (move, turn on, turn off, etc.) I only have them tell me the commands up to the point of each tool change and the first material engagement. After that they turn off single block and with the option stop mode on, we wait until the next tool change to start all over again. I also give them a flash drive at beginning of school that has the Haas Mill and Lathe program start, program end and tool change program lines. This way they can quickly create a manual code using Notepad++ for really simple jobs.
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Yeah I learned the other way I wrote code at the machine learned a lot and would know that similar programs I could copy and only change a few things. CAD was my downfall I could make toolpaths but drawing was my catch 22. Then a guy showed me a trick and then I watch hours of videos. Yet as fast as I can program on Inventor now I don’t want to long hand code anymore, but I do visual check it and edit things I want to work a different way.
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Like I said, I was hammering away in Fusion feeling good about my progress and then WHAM
Now that I have seen what the coding looks like in this 3-day class, I feel like I have to STOP any modeling and focus on learning that instead, because I don’t have a clue what the code says or how to follow it.
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It takes a little getting use to at first but keep at it and it will come to you
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Yes, it is like learning a different language. I think it a a bit more simple than that, but similar.
The way we really learned in the beginning was doing tooling. We made fixtures all programmed by hand. Even had to program simple contours by hand. We got really good at trig, and reading/writing G-Code became second nature.
I suggest writing some programs for tooling and simple parts. It will expedite the process of learning the code
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G-CODE the difference between INSTAmachinist and Real CNC Machinist.
This is another one of my issues with this “academy” ,I ran into trouble when I asked about GD&T
Glad some on finally realized Machining isn’t just all about being a CAM software guru…
Study what HAAS has online. The user library is great. Grab a manual to Whatever machine your on and read.
IF you want to become a Truly skilled CNC’er find an old FANUC O-T this is mid 90’s CNC when we started getting good because of CAM. These manuals cover 90% of the need G-code you ever run into
the last 10% is going to proprietary to the machine.
If you Post a program run it online in a simulator and follow the G-code in Single block, each line will be a move/command.
I learned to program Lathes and Mill-turn by hand out of Hardinge T-42 manual. Regular interpolation code can get busy but if you need Polar interpolation that can confuse the mind. haha
Any way G-code was developed in 50-60s so its basic programming lang. dont be afraid,
You’ll land a job way faster as entry level operator if you can read/edit G-code.
There is so much G-code can do for a machinist that your CAM (especially fusion) may not do.
CANNED CYCLES for lathes and other cool things like G13 for a quick bore on a haas mill.
Im kinda rambling… DONT FEAR G-CODE its your BEST FRIEND as CNC’er
If you ever need help just holla
well back to the chips!
Cheers!
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@MarcusMadrid - Thanks for the info
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You’ll be fine - you didn’t take any steps backwards.
You are learning - in this case, you are learning that it’s time to understand the G-code more in depth versus just running what the post kicks out for you.
You didn’t do anything out of order either. Because there is no real order as every situation is different. You didn’t need to learn how to be a blacksmith(the old way) to then make yourself a better CNC machinist(automatic way).
And now you have some GCode to look at and examine. You designed the part, you watched it run in CAM on screen - and now you can follow each line of Gcode and see what it is doing.
To be a cnc machinist you will ultimatley need to inderstand both CAM - and the GCode it kicks out.
It will not be long before you identify the next area of interest that you have a knowledge gap with. This is forward progress…
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After learning Gcode one used to have to read the holes in the 8 track, BCD encoded teletype/Frieden flexowriter 1" paper tape. or we used to convert gcode to an analog 1" real time machine drive
IT IS SOO EASY NOW
I slam 10,000 lines of Gcode to the machines flawlessly now. No real need to spend much time on it, use the software !
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@BrianOstosh - That is pretty much how I feel, why do it the hard way?
Just figured it is something I should at least be aware of
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One wrong punch and you get an unfavorable move to and undesirable location haha!
But dont show your age too much here sir!
CHEERS!
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I still have my electric pencil sharpener retrofitted to wind reels of tape 
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We did use the 1 axis postprocessor, it was a 8 hole punch template
We also spin off 1/2" mag tape into Kennedy kit cassettes.
cuz tape length was a problem.
Wow, then came floppy discs. Vega control, BCL
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@MarcusMadrid - I am 46, but still early 20s in my head. My body will tell you otherwise
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Gotta love a paid off dinosaur that keeps making chips!
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Hey I resemble that remark in more than one matter! LOL but I wouldn’t consider myself an old dinosaur
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My first time programming was 27 years ago on a Tandy T1000 and a Bridgeport knee mill with a Boss8 control. They did have a cam system that I got to go to Chicago to learn, but the majority of what I did was G&M code manually.
That was the last time I was on a CAM system until about 2 years ago when I found Fusion360 and later the Titan’s Academy and Lars !!
Over the years I’ve programmed 3-5 axis mills, small to larger live tool lathes, and even a plasma table, and it was always manually. I’ve also used Autocad since the days of DOS & Win3.1 so what I couldn’t figure out numbers for, I could always draw or pull numbers from a print.
My piece of advice would be to learn & know how to write manual code, weather it’s first or after you know CAM… either way, LEARN IT! I’ve worked with people that know CAM, but when it’s time to make an adjustment, they need to go back to their computers to make a change and repost it… in that time, I’ve already made a simple change at the machine and they are running parts again. Granted, you won’t be doing this on full 5 axis parts or molds, but you should at least be able to tweak a regular program and understand the how, what, & why’s of it.
Anyone can drive a car… how many can do more than just put it in gear and go down the road?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a bully for either, I just want people to learn all you can, don’t just settle for the easy way out.
At the new job I just started a month ago, I’m using Inventor Pro & HSM and loving it! I plan on using it for everything I can, but I’m not going to forget or slack off on the G&M codes when I need a quick fix to keep a machine running until I can get back to the computer! To me it’s all just numbers (and a few letters), so I’m good with whichever path a person decides to take.
Rise to your full potential Titans!! No matter what your age!
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This might help you out
only thing the “manual program” is not going to include any pocket work or resemble anything close to a cam driven program because your post processesor will set up variuos prepertory codes to cancle and clear any “modal” codes, A G90 and G91 are modal in other words if one is commanded the machine tool will wait for you to command the opposite before it turns off. If the machine is in G91 it will remain even when shut down until you command G90.
This is critical because in alot of lathe programming both G90 and G91 can be found in the same tool paths. sometimes its easier to say “move away” .050" off the face using a U or W instead of a X,Y
Study up after seeing how easy it can be.
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