Helical Boring G-Code Generator

[AlecS]

I recently wrote this python program for RC to help 1323 simplify their CNC machine programming, by allowing students to program holes and bores quickly and at the machine.

The programs allows you to quickly generate standalone g-code for any of holes, by helical boring with an endmill. The program itself is graphical interface, allowing parameters such as tool diameter, stepovers, speeds, etc. to be entered rapidly and easily.

I've been testing it out over the past week, and it seems to be working well, so I'm ready to pass it on to you guys. If you write all your g-code programs by hand, this can definitely save you time, especially on gearbox plates. It also can be very useful for programming simple parts rather than spend excessive time in a CAM program.

Feel free to use/edit at your lesisure, and let me know of any errors/suggested changes.

The program runs in Python 2.7.3 which can be downloaded here http://www.python.org/getit/
and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The program can be downloaded in the attachments, or here https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxn...UdKUXp3ZWktb1k

Screenshot and graphical representation of programmed toolpath below.

[anthonyttu]

Does your team allow the students to use a CNC mill on there own? How did you go about getting the students trained? My old team had issues just training other mentors to use it safely. How are you not worried for the students safety and the safety of your tools?

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by anthonyttu

Does your team allow the students to use a CNC mill on there own? How did you go about getting the students trained? My old team had issues just training other mentors to use it safely. How are you not worried for the students safety and the safety of your tools?

Yep we do allow students to run the machines by themselves, well an instructor or mentor is in the room at all times.

For manual machines, we go through all the safety stuff and then start off with easy parts. Usually I or one of the older kids will show them all the knobs and do the first few parts with them. The CNC normally takes a lot longer for kids to understand and we only have 1-2 kids that can run the CNC mill. But the CNC router is a lot easier to understand and 1/2 of our team usually knows how to run that guy.

I'm not really worried about kids using the machines, as long as they are trained correctly and machines are properly kept up, there really should be no issue. The CNC we have is an educational machine, its not a production machine like a HAAS, Fadal, Mori Seiki and so on.. So its not as powerful or intimidating for new kids.

-RC

[DonRotolo]

Plus, as long as the G-code is written correctly, the machine does what it needs to, behind safety covers. In theory, so long as someone can clamp the workpiece, one can operate it from another state.

Some High School students understand safety and can follow complex instructions.

[Mk.32]

I am an student on Team 3647; at our sponsor machine shop I am allowed to run CNC Mill, Bridgeports, Lathe, CNC laser, anything else in the shop myself. However this is a community shop where you pay a membership fee and then have access the tools, provided you can demonstrate at least basic knowledge on the more complex machine tools.

However I am the only student on the team that is allowed to use the CNC hardware, having students run CNC machines can be a tricky subject as there is a lot that can go wrong and you have to very careful and go though every step in the process correctly.

[zcoops97]

At GRR, we recently realized our ~30 year old bridgeport with prototrak plus had cnc capabilities, and running the cnc is nothing new. We can generate programs on the DRO manually, and it is operated the same way as the g-codes we input into the DRO. You press the button and it makes it go. Learning how to operate the dials and cranks was harder than learning to generate programs on our bridgeport