PartMaker® Tech Note #011698:

Programming Thread Milling

Operations with PartMaker on
Controls with Helical Interpolation
Important Notes:
a> DEMO.PST file supplied with PartMaker/Mill versions 2.5.5 and higher was used in this
example. If your Post file is different then NC file could look different from the one listed here.
b> We strongly recommend that you fully understand this example before attempting to modify
your own Post and before programming your own job.

I>Modify your Post Config File

1>Start ConfigPost
2>Open Post Config file DEMO.PST from the Postlib directory.
3>In the "Words Information" dialog switch to page 2, find the word <PITCH> and set Factor = 0.25.
4>Chose following commands: Configure Mill-> Motion Formats-> Circular Move. You should see:
{N<SEQ> }{<MOTION> }X<X-COORD> Y<Y-COORD> I<ARC-X> J<ARC-Y>{ F<FEED-
UPM>}<EOB>
Modify Circular Move to look as:
<IFNOT><THREAD-MILL><THEN>
{N<SEQ> }{<MOTION> }X<X-COORD> Y<Y-COORD> I<ARC-X> J<ARC-Y>{ F<FEED-
UPM>}<EOB>
<ENDIF>

<IF><THREAD-MILL><THEN>
{N<SEQ> }G91{<MOTION> }X<@X-COORD> Y<@Y-COORD> I<ARC-X> J<ARC-Y>
Z-<PITCH>{ F<FEED-UPM>}<EOB>
{N<SEQ> }G90<EOB>
<ENDIF>
5> Save file as THREAD.PST.

PartMaker Tech Note 1

 Thread Milling in PartMaker

Example: Using a single point Thread Milling Tool with diameter d=0.25" make inside right hand thread
with N=3 full turns with TPI = 8 on a circle with diameter D=2”, center at (0,0).

1> In CAD mode draw a circle with r = (D-d)/2=0.875, center at (0,0).

2> Divide this circle into four 90 degree arcs as shown below.

3> Go to CAM mode

4> In Tools Data dialog create a new tool of type Thread Mill, Diameter = 0.25, Threads Per Inch=8

Make a note of the Tool ID of this tool, e.g. 14 here. You will have to type it in the profile group dialog
below.

PartMaker Tech Note 2

Thread Milling in PartMaker

5>Create profile group as shown below.

6> set Z_Depth=0.

7> While generating NC program PartMaker will calculate the fall on a quarter turn q:
The fall on each full turn f = pitch =1/TPI=1/8=0.125. The depth of thread Z_Depth= f*N =0.125*3 =
0.375
q= f/4=0.125/4 = 0.0312.
8> Define tool path to go around the circle using Point-to-Point Icon (the one above the Chain Icon). Start
at the center of circle, than trace points 1-2-3-4-1 three times , go back to center of circle.
Note: For left handed thread trace 1-4-3-2-1
9> Open material file all_allc.mdb.
10> Generate Process Table.
11> Open Post Config File THREAD.PST.
10> Before you generate a part program make sure Macro Option is disabled in Post Options dialog.
11> Your program should look like

%
:12
(TOTAL MACHINING TIME: 1.6419)
(MACHINING FRONT FACE)
(MACHINING PROCESS 1)
G80 G40 G17
G30 G91 Z0
T1 M6
(THREAD_MILL_0.25)
(SINGLE POINT THREAD MILL)
(TIME FOR THIS TOOL: 1.392)
G90 G54 G0 X0. Y0. S5000 M3
G43 Z5.0 H1 M7
Z0.05
G1 Z0. F7.2
X-0.875 F14.4
G91G2 X0.875 Y0.875 I0.875 J0. Z-0.0312
G90
G91X0.875 Y-0.875 I0. J-0.875 Z-0.0312
G90

PartMaker Tech Note 3

 Thread Milling in PartMaker

G91X-0.875 Y-0.875 I-0.875 J0. Z-0.0312

G90
G91X-0.875 Y0.875 I0. J0.875 Z-0.0312
G90
G91X0.875 Y0.875 I0.875 J0. Z-0.0312
G90
G91X0.875 Y-0.875 I0. J-0.875 Z-0.0312
G90
G91X-0.875 Y-0.875 I-0.875 J0. Z-0.0312
G90
G91X-0.875 Y0.875 I0. J0.875 Z-0.0312
G90
G91X0.875 Y0.875 I0.875 J0. Z-0.0312
G90
G91X0.875 Y-0.875 I0. J-0.875 Z-0.0312
G90
G91X-0.875 Y-0.875 I-0.875 J0. Z-0.0312
G90
G91X-0.875 Y0.875 I0. J0.875 Z-0.0312
G90
G1 X0.
G0 Z0.05
G91 G28 Z0 M09
M30
%

PartMaker Tech Note 4