Creating a Sequential Part Transfer Activity

You can create several Setups in the Part Operation.

1. From the product containing the part to machine:

   1. Select Start > Machining > Machine Programming.

      A PPR context with an empty Machining Cell is created. An empty Activities Process Tree opens automatically.

   2. Create a generic machine or assign a machine from the database.

      As soon as a machine is assigned to the Machining Cell, a Part Operation and a Manufacturing Program are created in the Activities Process Tree.

   3. Alternatively, open an existing Machining Process or PPR context .

      By default, the Activities Process Tree opens automatically.

   In our example, we have set the following in Generic Machine dialog box.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Go to the Setup tab in the Part Operation. Define Setup1, then click + to add Setup2 and Setup3, as described in Creating a Part Operation.

   1. Order the Setups in the order you require.
   2. Click OK when you are done to validate and exit the Part Operation dialog box.

   In our example, we need three Setups:
   
   
   

   • Setup1: the part is attached on the machine by the Main Spindle.1, which is visible.
   • Once the machining in Setup1 is done, the Counter Spindle.1 grabs the part to take it to Setup2, where it is cut off.
   • In Setup2, the Main Spindle.1 is detached and invisible.
   • Once the part is cut off, the Counter Spindle.1 goes back to its home position in Setup3 with the part.
   • In Setup3, the Counter Spindle.1 is attached and visible.

   Our three Setups look as follows:
   
   
   
   
   
   

You can create a Part Sequencing activity to define the initial condition of the machining process.

1. Click NC Machine Control.

   1. In the toolbar that appears, click Part Sequencing.

   The Part Sequencing dialog box appears.
   
   

   See Actions for the description of the icons.

2. Define the initial conditions:

   1. Rename Part Sequencing to INITIAL CONDITION
   2. Click : Visibility. In the dialog box that appears, select Setup1 from the Product Position list, and select Show from the list below. Click OK when you are done.

      
      

      • Product Position lists all the Setups available.
      • The possible statuses are: Show or Hide.

      
      
      

   3. Create a Visibility action for Setup2 and set it Hide, and for Setup3 and set it to Show.
   4. Click Attachment. In the dialog box that appears, select Setup1 from the Product Position list, select Attach in the list below and select Main Spindle.1 from the Device list.

      
      

      • Product Position lists all the Setups available.
      • The possible statuses are: Attach or Detach.
      • Device lists the spindles available.

      
      
      

   5. Create an Attachment action for Setup2 and set it Detach and Main Spindle.1, and for Setup3 and set it to Attach and Counter Spindle.1.

      
      
      

   6. Click OK to create this Part Sequencing activity.

3. Insert the machining operations required at Setup.1. See Creating a Machining Operation.

You can create a Part Sequencing activity to define the motion of the Counter Spindle.1 to Setup1, then to Setup2 with the part attached.

1. Click Part Sequencing.

2. Define the motion of Counter Spindle.1 from its home position to Setup1 to grab the part and go to Setup2:

   1. Rename Part Sequencing to PS MOVE TO POS2.
   2. Select Setup2 from the Position list.
   3. Click Motion

      A Motion Action dialog box appears.
      
      

   4. Rename the motion to MV1.
   5. Select Counter Spindle.1 from the Device list.
   6. Select the Axis Z as the axis to move and use the slider to move the Counter Spindle.1 up to the Setup1.

      As you drag the slider, the Counter Spindle.1 moves accordingly in the authoring window.

   7. Click OK when you are done to validate and revert to PS MOVE TO POS2 Part Sequencing dialog box.

      
      
      

      The Counter Spindle.1 is now ready to grab (attach) the part still in Setup1.

   8. Click Attachment.
   9. In the dialog box that appears, rename the attachment to ATTACH. Select the Counter Spindle.1 from the Device list, set its status to Attach at the Product Position Setup 1. Click OK when you are done.

      
      
      

      The Counter Spindle.1 is now ready to move to Setup2 with the part.

   10. Click Motion and define this motion as explained above.

       The PS MOVE TO POS2 Part Sequencing dialog box is updated:
       
       

   11. Click OK to create this Part Sequencing activity.

3. Insert the machining operations required at Setup.2 to cut off the part. See Creating a Machining Operation.

You can create a Part Sequencing activity to define the motion of the Counter Spindle.1 back to its home position.

1. Click Part Sequencing.

2. Define the motion of Counter Spindle.1 from Setup2 to its home position:

   1. Rename Part Sequencing to GO BACK HOME POSITION.
   2. Select Setup3 from the Position list.
   3. Click Motion

      A Motion Action dialog box appears.

   4. Select Counter Spindle.1 from the Device list.
   5. Select Counter Spindle Home from the Home list.
      
      
   6. Click OK to validate and revert to the GO BACK HOME POSITIONPart Sequencing dialog box.

      
      
      

   7. Click OK to create this Part Sequencing activity.

3. Insert the machining operations required at Setup.3. See Creating a Machining Operation.

TheActivities Process Tree looks this way: