Before setting up a new machine within the Installed Machines database, the following considerations must be reviewed and understood. Certain procedures must be in place, and certain information must be available, in order for a new post processor to output and write NC in the correct format.
CAMduct can interface with, and control, a wide range of machines used in the manufacturing and production of ductwork and sheet metal components. It can work with burning tables, such as plasma, laser, and oxy-fuel tables. It can also work with decoiler units and insulation cutters, such as water jet, router, and tangential knife units.
WARNING: Configuring CAMduct to properly communicate with these machines is a specialized skill that is typically performed only when a machine is acquired or modified. Machine setup varies for each machine make and model. Improper machine configuration can damage the equipment and endanger people by causing the machine's moving parts to act in unexpected ways. Always consult the equipment vendor or supplier, or retain an experienced consultant when setting up machinery.
| Consideration | Questions and Answers |
| Estimating, Fabricating, or both? | It is important to understand that configurations for flat sheet cutting types of machines (ductboard, laser, plasma, flatbed, rotary, shear) can be installed and used for both estimating and fabrication. Configurations for linear nesting machine types (round linear, rectangular linear, ancillaries) can be installed and can be used for estimating, but not for fabrication. |
| Post Processor File (*.VPL) and Supported Post Processors |
Is the correct post processor library file (.VPL) installed and configured in CAMduct?
For non-custom machines, each post processor (machine) being configured requires a corresponding VPL file which typically gets installed when CAMduct is installed, or can be obtained after installation, if required. The correct VPL file must be copied to the following location: C:\Autodesk\Fabrication <version>\CAMduct\VPLs. Once installed, this VPL file (Post Processor Library) must be selected in CAMduct using the File
Use Post Processor Library drop-down menu, or use the Browse button. For custom machines, a .VPL file is not required. For more information, see Supported Post Processors List. |
| Decoilers | Do you want to install a decoiler? Make sure you read and understand Decoilers. |
| "New" vs "Custom NC" Machine? |
Do you want to install a non-custom machine or a custom machine?To install a non-custom machine, click the New button on the Installed Machines dialog. Clicking the New button creates a machine setup that depends on the selection of an external machine-specific post processor file (.VPL) to generate and view NC. For these non-custom machines, the external post processor file has a VPL file extension that is typically installed in the following folder: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Fabrication <version>\CAMduct\VPLs. The VPL file is really a DLL (Application Extension) which contains both custom code to read and write NC files in ISO or ESSI format, and machine-specific code that modifies the NC code to match what is required by the machine. The corresponding .VPL is specified on the Machine Editor dialog, Controller tab, Use Post Processor Library field. Each .VPL contains only the tools and options supported by a specific machine. For these machine types with external, hard-coded posts, all supported tools are added when a new machine is created, and all supported Globals, Details, and Conditions are added when a tool is added. To install a machine that does not have an external .VPL file associated with it, click the "Custom NC" button. For this type of installed machine, there is no .VPL file associated with it, the Use Post Processor Library field on the Machine Editor dialog Controller tab is grayed out (not selectable), and no tools are added to this machine configuration (or setup) by default. Instead, any tools that are required for this type of machine are added and configured using the Add Tools and Configure Tools features available from the Installed Machines dialog. The Configure Tools options allow you to specify the required tool behavior. |
| Configuration |
Has the correct machine setup for each machine been created and installed? Does this machine setup include the correct tools and tool settings? When installing a new machine, you can save time if you start from a similar machine setup, and edit the machine settings as necessary. When installing a non-custom machine, initiated by clicking the New button, the files that define and control the machine setup must be placed in the "MCH" folder which gets automatically created, and includes the machine name; for example, the files controlling a non-custom machine must be placed in the following location: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Fabrication <version>\Metric Content\<version>\Database\Default.mch.
Have Preset Points (Origin, Park Points, Block Points) been configured on machines requiring them?
Within the Machine tab File
Has the machines X, Y table size been entered?
All machines need to be given the X and Y dimensions from the File
Are the controller settings needing to be changed?
File
Kerf compensation required?
Within File
Note: On some machines, kerf compensation can also be on a Condition. For example, a high-definition plasma machine might have different kerf values for high speed, high power, low quality cutting, versus low speed, low power, high quality cutting.
Are the correct tools assigned for the machine?
You are able to edit the default tools assigned to the machine and add new entries if required from Accessed from File
Have there been amendments to tooling data made?
Each default machine has tooling data assigned and the user is responsible for entering the relevant speeds, hole/pierce sizes etc for each material thickness. Accessed from File
How do I Write NC for more than 1 machine? When installing multiple machines, you are able to create multiple processes which Nests and Writes NC data for each. You can then decide, prior to nesting, which machine is required for NC output. Machines can also be associated with specific materials. For example, a plasma machine for metal duct cutting, a router machine for duct board cutting, a knife or water jet machine for insulation cutting, either from the main nesting, or a single batch process. |
| Downloading and Communications Link |
How is the controller downloading from the PC? (Network folder/RS232 with Comms Link/modem). If the PC outputs the data into the CNC folder for Serial port communication, with some older machines, a download program may be needed in order to safely transmit/receive the NC data. Make sure you read and understand the information in CAMduct and Machine Controller Communications Link. Please contact your supplier if you think you require a download program to communicate the data. Correct cabling? The requirement for serial communication is that you have twisted/sheilded cable no longer than our recommended distance of 10m as anything above this distance requires modems. How far away is the Machine Controller from the PC operating the software? There may be a need for RS-485 modems to boost the signal if over 10m-20m distances. This relates to older machines using RS-232 links. To protect from RF damage, and to extend the link distance, RS-485 modems are sometimes used, which often required the provision of low voltage power supplies and specialised twisted pair cables. |
Setup