BASIC UTILITY

OPERATIONS
USERS GUIDE
Gibbs and Associates
323 Science Drive
Moorpark, CA 93021
June 10, 2005

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Acknowledgements:
Written by: Will. Gaffga.
Thanks to Bill Gibbs and Jeff Myers for their input and assistance.
Printed in the United States of America

Basic Utility Operations Users Guide

Basic Utility Operations Users Guide

ABOUT
The Basic Utility Operations are an addition to the Lathe and Mill/Turn modules. This function allows users of these modules
to easily generate Bar Feed, Tailstock and Part Catcher commands. This function requires a custom post processor. The actual
functions that can be programmed with Basic Utility Operations depend upon your needs and input to the Gibbs and Associates
Post department. Each post and accompanying template will be different depending upon the machine associated with the post.

INSTALLATION
You should have received a package or e-mail that contains a new, custom post processor and template file. These items are to
be unzipped to the GibbsCAM application folder. The items unzipped include a folder called Posts and a folder called Utility
Templates. The Posts folder may be moved to a preferred directory but Utility Templates must reside in the GibbsCAM
application folder.

INTERFACE AND USE

When GibbsCAM is re-launched after installing the Utility Templates folder, the system
is capable of producing posts that support Basic Utility Operations in Lathe and Mill/
Turn parts. When a Lathe or Mill/Turn part is being created the CAM palette will now
include the Basic Utility Operation tile. Simply drag the tile to a position in the Process
list.
Some Basic Utility operations require tools, others dont. This is determined by your A tool is required
machines configuration and is set in the template. If a tool is required you will not be
able to generate the operation until there is a tool assigned to the process. Any type and
No tool required
size of tool may be used, what is important is what position number you wish to use.
Simply drag a tool to the process tile.

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Basic Utility Operations Users Guide

The interface is a single dialog with a pull-down menu and a list. The Basic
utility Operations options in the pull-down menu depend upon your
machines capabilities and are set when the post and template are made.
Simply select the type of operation you wish to generate. Any variables
such as positions and speeds will appear in the list below the menu. The
Value for menu of the Items can be edited to set the position. speed and/or
time of the operation. Please note that some items are hard-coded in the
template and may not be editable.

Once you have set the Values simply click Do It in the CAM palette. This
generates a Basic Utility Operation. Each operation type has a custom icon
consisting of up to four letters, identifying the type of operation being
programmed.

Load Spindle Bar Feed

Load Spindle Automatic

Unload Spindle Manual

Once the operation is generated you can use the accompanying post processor to generate loads, unloads, etc. in your Lathe
and/or Mill/Turn parts.

Please note that programs must include at least one real operation (roughing, contouring, drilling, etc.).
The system will not generate a program that only contains Utility Operations.

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