CNC Code Shooter Mill Help

http://www.cnccodeshooter.com - Main page for CNC Code Shooter
CNC Mill Help - download the Latest CNC Code Shooter Mill Help Manual in printable format

CNC Code Shooter is compatable with Windows Vista, Xp and the new Windows 7  
Requires the Dot Net Framework which is a free download from MicroSoft.com
Look on this page for a link.

CNC Code Shooter is unique for creating CNC G-code programs for Mills.

     With this G code generator/editor you will be able to input your numbers, the program generates the code, preview it, send it to the text editor to view your whole program on the computer screen before you send it to the machine. You will be able to save your programs that you create so that next time you need to run that particular part you will just have to pull up the code make any changes that you may need to make, review it then send it to the machine, just that easy. You will be able to print out the code too.

A few basic precautions that you need to know when using and running the program.

Always use good machining practices. Good visual care is required to make sure that you are creatng the correct tool path for your program. Good visual care should be exercised when inputing tool movements to make sure that all clamps and any other fixtures clear the tool path. Always remember to bring your tools to clearance before continuing on to the next cut, this is not an automatic program function so you need to make sure you input the correct numbers as you build your programs.

1. Requirements for Download:

You must have Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 to run this program. You can download it from http://www.microsoft.com. this link here to download the .Net Framework 2.0 redistributable package and install it onto your hard drive. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish with the install.
Also you must have a minumum 768 x 1024 resolution monitor settings to view the program properly.

2. Installation and Set - up:

After you have downloaded the program, now you are ready to install it.

You have a file called: CNCCodeShooter2_52 Install.exe. Double click on that file to install the program on your hard drive. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish with the install. After installing you must close down the program that starts from the installer. The program will not function properly that starts from the installer. Start the program from Start All programs. Sometimes you will have to right click and choose run as administrator to get the program to run.

3. Now you can run the program, it should be in your program files, CNCcodeShooter2_52 folder. Select all programs then select CNCcodeShooter2_52 right click and click on Run as Administrator to start the program.

To Open or Save a session, Look on the Start tab for Load Session and Save Session. This will save the contents of the text boxes you have filled out. So if you don't have time to finish a program you can save your work or if you need to make changes you can reload the session. The Tape file (.t file) is saved separately under File ->save or Save as or you can open a saved one under File ->Open.

Processor files

Data Input

    Data input boxes usually require a numbered input. Letters such as Z or X will be added for you. Tool number and offset require an integer while position moves can be in decimal format. If the program prompts you, "You must enter a value" you have probably left a value out or it is in the incorrect format. Z 10.5 would be wrong because the Z will be added by the program. A common mistake is two decimal points the program will also prompt you, "You must enter a value," as this is in the incorrect format. On position moves if it is to an even number say 10 inches if you input 10 the program will output 10.0 as this is the format most machines require. Check your machine manuel for proper settings.

To Open or Save a session, Look on the Start tab for Load Session and Save Session. This will save the contents of the text boxes you have filled out. So if you don't have time to finish a program you can save your work or if you need to make changes you can reload the session. The Tape file (.t file) is saved separately under File->save or Save as or you can open a saved one under File->Open. To start a new program click on the start tab. Enter the program number preceded by the Letter O not a zero. The next Text two text boxs are for program description and Set up information. Comments must be enclosed by parenthesis. If you choose a processor file with a yes on $ and percent those will be added. If not or you chooose one that is no they will not be added. This depends on the control you are writing the program for. Click make code to preveiw the code if it looks right press send to send the code to the program text box. To load the text boxes with data you can choose load session. This will place data that yoou have saved in the data input textboxes. If you have to save data press the save session button and data in text boxes will be saved. To save a program go file-> save and save as a .T(tape) file. Save and load session always opens the my document folder it is a good idea to make a Lathe session and mill session folderand lathe programs and mill program folder in your my documents. Or you can make a folder for each program in lathe and mill programs and save your sesion and tape progams in the same folder. This is helpful if you will have multiple session files for each tape file.

It is best to save tool lists with save session then you can open a sesion and have the tool list ready with less typing. Once the tool list is ready by pressing send on the button next to the selected tool it will send the information to the new tool tab. To find spindle speed go to the #s tab their is a chart for sueface speeds and an RPM calculator.

Surface Footage

Formula
Tool RPM = (surface foot cutting speed * 12) / Tool diameter * PI
Surface Speed = ( RPM * Tool Diameter * PI) / 12

1 inch drill at 100 surface feet
(100 * 12)/( 1 * 3.14159) = 382
Surface Speeds
These are approximate start on the slow side and work up if neccessary.
Material                    Hardness            Carbide            High Speed Steel
Soft Steel                   100                500 - 900                 110 - 200
Medium Steel       175 to 220               350                        70 - 110
Hard Steel            220 to 300               250                        30 - 80
                            300 to 425             80 - 130                   20 - 50

Rapid Travel X Y

The rapid tab is for bringing the axis into location. There are X and Z commonly used positions on the right. For specific numbers use the textboxes. When using the textboxes enter the position only not the axis letter. The program will add the axis letter. If the message box says you must enter a value the most likely problem is inserting two decimal points or something that does not read as a number (a letter or symbol) check the textboxes for a mistake and try again. The cookant on is most often used when bringing the tool up to the part usually when the machine rapids to 1 inch off the face turn coolant on. When the machine rapids an inch off the part and the operation is finished turn the coolant off.

Feed X Y

The feed tab is where the real work is done on CNCs. The cutting axis turn the metal off the part. When using the textboxes enter the position only not the axis letter. The program will add the axis letter. If the message box says you must enter a value the most likely problem is inserting two decimal points or something that does not read as a number (a letter or symbol) check the textboxes for a mistake and try again.

Bolt Circle

The bolt Circle tab can be used for equally spaced or non equal bolt circles. The start angle Zero position is at X plus moving counterclockwise. If the start angle is 45 degrees the hole will be placed in the plus X and plus Y quadrant.

Circle Interpolation

To circular interpolate a part you have a choice between Input angles, Xlarge X small, Y large, Y small on start position and finish position so you can cut a full circle use the same start and finish position. Or in 90 degree increments by choosing differant start and finish point also you can choose input angle and interpolate varoius degrees. After choosing direction clockwise and counter clockwise and inside or outside of the cilce diameter input the text boxes X center and Y center Tool diameter Part Radius and feed press preview. If the code looks good press send to send the code to the program textbox.

Hole Pattern Drill and Tap

Drill and tap can be used for a single hole as in the upper picture or a pattern as in the lower picture.

Engraving

To engrave iput the text in the bottom text box input Z rapid to feedrateetc. then press preview . After code is generated press send to send the code to the program textbox.

Pattern Milling

Pattern milling is used extensively in CNC Milling. A pattern is milled then the spindle drops down and the pattern is recut until the desired depth is reached. Input the pattern in the pattern text box then select start Z position, depth of cut, Finish Z and Feedrate for the spindle down move. Be sure the spindle is in a position where it can feed down at the end of the pattern.(the last line in the text box) When you press preview the code on the right is produced. In this case 87 lines of code. Press send and the code is sent to the main program editor.

Angles and Arcs

The Angles and Arc tab can be used for generating tool paths from deminsional patterns. You must input the lines in the order you want to machine them. The end of one line or radius must be the beginning of the nest line or radius. The program will automatically place the end of the current deminsion into the start X and Y for the next deminsion.This is currently for one tool at a time. So for more than one tool you can save the one and then reset all and do another deminsion. You can reset the G code and remake the G code for differant tool sizes or to cut on the opposite side. You can edit the deminsional pattern by selecting which line to edit in the drop down box then press start edit. After making your edits press save edits then redraw. Remeber the end of one line must be the beginning of the next.

This is the first released version if you find bugs please report them at: support@cnccodeshooter.com.
First choose whether you want to dram a line which can also be an angled line an angle or an arc. After filling out the relevant text boxes press the draw button the information will be set and the dimension drawn to the screen. You must draw it in the same order you want to cut it and the first input point is the start point. To generated G code select whether you want to start on the plus or minus of the dimension choose the tool diameter and feed rate then press make code. Plus will start to the right side of the first angle or line being more than 45 degrees and less than 270 it will start on the left side of angles more than 45 degrees and less than 270. To view the tool Path press show cut. If you make a mistake on the plus or minus or tool diameter you can press reset G- code make changes and press make code button to generate new code. To make an edit select which line number you want to edit and press the start edit button after making changes press the save edit button. After saving changes press redraw to see the modified figure. Remember the end of one dimension must be the start of the next.

For Communication settings.
Send and Receive
Using the send tab

You can use a processor file or set the settings manually. Either way you still have to choose the com port(com port 1 or 2). If it is not set right you have to close the port before resetting.
Most Controllers require a $ (dollar sign) before the program number and a % (percent sign) before the first block and a % (percent sign) after the M30 or last block. Refer to the machine manual to verify each controllers settings on the particular machine that you are operating.
To set manually First you will select the com port, parity, data bits, baud rate,flowcontrol and stop bits.
Then press save settings button. It should say that the com port is open.


Software Handshake Cable - How to make a cable with a 9 - pin connection on one side to a 25 - pin connection on the other side. This is a typical machine to computer connection cable.
We sell the cables already made ranging from 20 feet - 50 feet, shielded or regular.

1. Cross signals SD (serial transmit data) and RD (serial receive data) with each other.
2. Connect signal SG( signal ground) to SG (signal ground).
3. Jump together signals RTS (request to send) and CTS (clear to send) at both ends of the cable.
4. Jump together signals DTR (data terminal ready), DSR (data set ready), and DCD (data carrier detect) at both ends of the cable.

Machine Side DB - 25 pin          DB - 9 pin Computer Side
                  SD (pin #2) connect to RD (pin #2)
                  RD (pin #3) connect to SD (pin #3)
                  SG (pin #7) connect to SG (pin #5)

DB - 25 pin                                                           DB - 9 pin
RTS (pin #4) jumper to CTS (pin #5)                 RTS (pin #7) jumper to CTS (pin #8)
DSR (pin #6) jumper to DCD (pin #8) and         DCD (pin #1) jumper to DTR (pin #4) and
jumper to DTR (pin #20)                                     jumper to DSR (pin #6)


Or you could order a cable online at: www.cnccodeshooter.com.

If you do encounter a bug or just have a suggestion something that you may need, please e-mail us your request and we will do our best to fix the situation as soon as possible. E-Mail address is: mailto:rellison@schuterswar.com.

Below is a snapshot of a program created by CNC Code Shooter Mill.  You will be able to create a program from beginning to the end with CNCCodeShooter. Begin your program with the start tab, setting your program number, the tool description, and the workshift.  Next you will click the button Make Code and preview it in the preview box. If the code is good then click the send button to send it over to the text editor to start creating your program.  Renumber your program to your own sequence of numbers for your own program or use the default setting.


This is just an example.  Every machine will have different configurations and will be slightly different depending on specific settings that are required by different machines.  Refer to the machine manual for the specific settings required by individual machines. (example: the baud rate, or the parity, etc.)
$
:00001 Flange Adapter (Program Description)
(More Description)
%
#4 CENTER DRILL (Tool Description)
N1 G90 G80 G40 G00 G17 (Cancel Codes)
N2 S1000 M03 (spindle 1000rpm / forward)
G15P1 (Workshift)
N3 G00 X2.1213 Y2.1213 (1st position move)
N4 G56 Z1.0 H1 M08 (workshift)
N5 G81 Z-.28 R.1 F2.0 M54 (drill Cycle)
N6 Z-2.1213
N7 Y-2.1213
N8 X2.1213
N9 X3.2476 Y1.875
N10 X0 Y-3.75
N11 X-3.2476 Y1.875
N12 Y-1.875
N13 X0 Y-3.75
N14 X3.2476 Y-1.875
N15 G80 G00 Z1.0
N16 G91 G30P1 Z0 M09
N17 G90 M01
N18 T2 M06
(17/32 DIA. DRILL)
N28 G90 G80 G40 G00 G17
N29 S539 M03
N30 G00 X2.1213 Y2.1213
N31 G56 Z1.0 H2 M08
N32 G83 Z-.9596 R.1 Q.1 F4.3
N33 X-2.1213
N34 Y-2.1213
N35 X2.1213
N36 G80 G00 Z1.0
N37 G91 G30P1 Z0 M09
N38 G90 M01
N39 T3 M06
(27/64 DIA. DRILL)
N49 G90 G80 G40 G00 G17
N50 S679 M03
N51 G00 X3.2476 Y1.875
N52 G56 Z1.0 H3 M08
N53 G83 Z-.9268 R.1 Q.1 F5.0
N54 X0 Y3.75
N55 X-3.2476 Y1.875
N56 Y-1.875
N57 X3.2476 Y-1.875
N58 G80 G00 Z1.0
N59 G91 G30P1 Z0 M09
N60 G90 M01
N61 T1 M06
N62 M30
%

Saving Programs and Sessions

Programs are saved as T files (ie)2322.T.  To save a program choose file then save or save as.
Saving a session saves the data in the text boxes. Save a session from the start tab as msf(Mill Session file).

Set Up Page

   Use the set up page to save tool lists  Instead of having to type all the information in each time you can save the list and reuse it. When you press send next to the tool on the page setup page it will send the information to the new tool page.

Renumbering Programs
This option can be found on the line numbers tab.
Renumber your program to your own sequence of numbers for your own program or use the default setting.

CNC Communications

To Send or Recieve a program

To Open or Save a session, Look on the Start tab for Load Session and Save Session.
This will save the contents of the textboxes you have filled out.
So if you dont have time to finish a program you can save your work or if you need to make changes you can reload the session. The Tape file (.t file) is saved seperatelyunder File->save or Saveas or you can open a saved one underFile->Open.


Sample processer file. These files have a psr extension and can be opened and saved with the CNCCodeShooter. These files are located in the root directory of CNCCodeShooter.

|4800|EVEN|7|1|None|

|G15P1|G28|G43||M30|hasW


The first line is the communication settings.
The first number is the baud rate,the second is parity,third is databits,fourth is stopbits and fifth is flowcontrol.

The second line is G code settings.
The first is workshift depending on the machine. Example workshift would be G54 for most controls.
G55 is optional workshift. G92 is preset used on older machines.
Some people prefer to use G50, this is default setting for most machines (ie. if you dont call out G54 the machine defaults to G50). (Okumas use G15P1 or G15P?)Check your control manuel for proper settings.
The second is homecode most machines use G28. Okumas use G30P1 or G30P2 the last number can change so that the machine can have more than one home position.
The third number is the tool length code. Most machines use G43( Okumas use G56 this is workshift on other machines) The fourth is drill code some machines require a G98 for return level.(For Okumas leave this empty).If the drill code is null(ie it doesn't use G98) leave it blank no spaces.
The fifth number is the code to stop the program this is either M30 or M02.
The last number is the code to tell the program if the machine has a W axis.hasW means it has a W axis blank means no W axis

Check your machine manuel for proper settings.

For Communication settings.
Send and Receive
Using the send tab

You can use a proceesor file or set the settings manually. Either way you still have to choose the com port(com port 1 or 2). If it is not set right you have to close the port before resetting.

Most Controllers require a $ (dollar sign) before the program number and a % (percent sign) before the first block and a % (percent sign) after the M30 or last block. Refer to the machine manual to verify each controllers settings on the particular machine that you are operating.

To set manually
First you will select the com port, parity, data bits, baud rate,flowcontrol and stop bits.
Then press save settings button. It should say that the com port is open.



Software Handshake Cable - How to make a cable with a 9 - pin connection on one side to a 25 - pin connection on the other side. This is a typical machine to computer connection cable. We sell the cables already made ranging from 20 feet - 50 feet, shielded or regular.

1. Cross signals SD (serial transmit data) and RD (serial receive data) with each other.
2. Connect signal SG( signal ground) to SG (signal ground).
3. Jump together signals RTS (request to send) and CTS (clear to send) at both ends of the cable.
4. Jump together signals DTR (data terminal ready), DSR (data set ready), and DCD (data carrier detect) at both ends of the cable.

Machine Side DB - 25 pin DB - 9 pin Computer Side

SD (pin #2) connect to RD (pin #2)
RD (pin #3) connect to SD (pin #3)
SG (pin #7) connect to SG (pin #5)
DB - 25 pin DB - 9 pin
RTS (pin #4) jumper to CTS (pin #5) RTS (pin #7) jumper to CTS (pin #8)
DSR (pin #6) jumper to DCD (pin #8) and DCD (pin #1) jumper to DTR (pin #4) and
jumper to DTR (pin #20) jumper to DSR (pin #6)

Below is a sample program. This is just an example. Every machine will have different configurations and will be slightly different depending on specific settings that are required by different machines. Refer to the machine manual for the specific settings required by individual machines.(example: the baud rate, or the parity, etc.)

:00001 (Program Description)

(More Description)

(#4 CENTER DRILL (Tool Description)

N10 G00 G17 G40 G90

N11 G54

N12 G00 X0.0 Y0.0 (1st position move)

N13 M03 S400

N14 G00 Z1.0

N15 X4.0 Y0.0

N16 G83 F3 Z-1 R0.2 Q0.1

N17 X2.8284 Y2.8284

N18 X0.0 Y4.0

N19 X-2.8284 Y2.8284

N20 X-4.0 Y0.0

N21 X-2.8284 Y-2.8284

N22 X0.0 Y-4.0

N23 X2.8284 Y-2.8284

N24 G00 G91 G30 Z0. M09

N25 G91 G30 Y0.

N26 G91 G30 X0.

N27 G00 G90

N28 M01

N29 M30