Inserting a tap MOP without reselcting holes
Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 1:09 pm
Here's a little tip that I figured out that could save you some time.
If you need to attach a tap cycle to a set of regions that are already being used by a drill cycle. You can select the MOP for the drill cycle (make sure that the regions are highlighted). Then select the tapping tool. Then select Hole Machining > Tapping and you will automatically get the regions that were associated with the drill MOP.
This will also work with other MOPs besides drills and taps. I think it works especially well with drill/tap/ream cycles because it retains your pick order. I have not been satisfied with the optimization that VM provides so I usually select the holes in the order that I want them drilled so the machine uses the shortest path to the next hole.
This also works well with pocketing and then profiling the same hole with a different tool.
Hope this makes sense. If not just post your question and I'll try to explain myself better.
GreggT
If you need to attach a tap cycle to a set of regions that are already being used by a drill cycle. You can select the MOP for the drill cycle (make sure that the regions are highlighted). Then select the tapping tool. Then select Hole Machining > Tapping and you will automatically get the regions that were associated with the drill MOP.
This will also work with other MOPs besides drills and taps. I think it works especially well with drill/tap/ream cycles because it retains your pick order. I have not been satisfied with the optimization that VM provides so I usually select the holes in the order that I want them drilled so the machine uses the shortest path to the next hole.
This also works well with pocketing and then profiling the same hole with a different tool.
Hope this makes sense. If not just post your question and I'll try to explain myself better.
GreggT