File conversion software

[gcode]

We just finished retrofitting our giant Berthiez VTL (32ft swing x 12.5 feet high  with a 78" ram)
It took 2 years and $1.5 million . CV-19 added a year and a lot of unforeseen expenses to the retrofit)

The original machine had an ancient Fanuc on it.
Our boy genius (ex) manager ordered a Siemens control for the retrofit.
The means 30 years of proven Fanuc files are no good.
I have noticed that the Siemens code is nearly identical to the Fanuc code
The main difference are the start lines , tool callouts and home moves.
The actual code driving the machine motion looks like Fanuc.

I've heard of software that can convert one flavor of machine code to another
Can anyone recommend a software that can do Fanuc to Siemens ??

[YoDoug]

When I worked for the Okuma dist we would offer this to customers. https://kentechinc.com/kipwarexc/">https://kentechinc.com/kipwarexc/

It is basically a user configured find/replace utility that allows you to set up multiple instructions for when it sees a certain code string, change it to a different code string. Works great for changing the stuff you mention.

I have also made my own utility in C# to something similar. A few years back I had a project using Mcam MillTurn on Okuma Multus machines. The code being output would alarm in the machine. I kept trying to trying to get the Mcam post guy to fix it and he kept claiming Okuma has certified the post and it didn't need to be corrected. So I made my own utility to fix the several things that posted incorrectly (one of which would be a machine crash that simulation didn't pick up).

[byte]

Hi gcode,
if you have trouble finding a solution, let me know, I can quickly develop a custom application to convert the code formatting for you.

[byte]

Back in 2007...when I bought a siemens lathe to replace a fanuc, the reseller offered software to convert for 250£.
I never took them up on the offer as I didn't have that many progs at the time. It maybe worth you emailing them to ask https://xyzmachinetools.com/contact-us/">https://xyzmachinetools.com/contact-us/

Also, FYI this site maybe worth a browse
https://new.siemens.com/global/en/markets/machinebuilding/machine-tools/cnc4you/cnc-downloads.html">https://new.siemens.com/global/en/marke ... loads.html">https://new.siemens.com/global/en/markets/machinebuilding/machine-tools/cnc4you/cnc-downloads.html

Pete - this could be a little money spinner on the side...Prog converting.
Needs a BIG disclaimer though saying run at your own risk...  

Hmm, modding code and files that go to the cnc machine via a software seems like risky business, but once you have a working algorithm, it just runs and runs until the end of time.

[byte]

When I worked for the Okuma dist we would offer this to customers. https://kentechinc.com/kipwarexc/">https://kentechinc.com/kipwarexc/

It is basically a user configured find/replace utility that allows you to set up multiple instructions for when it sees a certain code string, change it to a different code string. Works great for changing the stuff you mention.

I have also made my own utility in C# to something similar. A few years back I had a project using Mcam MillTurn on Okuma Multus machines. The code being output would alarm in the machine. I kept trying to trying to get the Mcam post guy to fix it and he kept claiming Okuma has certified the post and it didn't need to be corrected. So I made my own utility to fix the several things that posted incorrectly (one of which would be a machine crash that simulation didn't pick up).

Mastercam 2022 has a chook called NETscripting.dll this is a c# scripting api, you could just do it there, from Mastercam.

[mkd]

from the shopturn manual, Thanks Newbeeee

You can also integrate DIN/ISO commands into the Graphical Process Plan of ShopTurn. You may also program in DIN/ISO 66025 and use DIN cycles.

 Might want to get the simulator?

Run MyVirtual Machine is a controller-identical NC programming workstation on the PC specially designed for machine tools using SINUMERIK ONE.
The offline programming workstation – Run MyVirtual Machine simulates a machine tool controlled by SINUMERIK ONE. SINUMERIK Operate, together with an animated machine control panel, ensures realistic operation and programming on the PC. You do not require any additional programming knowledge.
Run MyVirtual Machine enables practice-oriented offline programming on the PC based on the DIN 66025 programming language, the ShopMill and ShopTurn options, SINUMERIK-type voice commands, and the direct transfer of NC programs to the CNC. By using the original SINUMERIK CNC software you can test NC programs and verify their NC syntax. It does not matter whether an NC program has been created with Run MyVirtual Machine or with CAM software. Thanks to its seamless integration into the process chain, from the idea to the workpiece, Run MyVirtual makes an essential contribution to increasing productivity and safety.
Run MyVirtual Machine also facilitates learning and professional training without the need for actual hardware or machines. For this purpose, preconfigured sample machines are available for immediate use. Using SINUMERIK Operate and the original SINUMERIK CNC kernel, all operating processes and NC programming operations can be used and CNC programs executed, without any restrictions. New functions and programming options can thus be learned, tested and demonstrated in a secure environment.
To obtain the greatest possible match with the real machine, you can import your own configurations created using Create MyVirtual Machine directly into Run MyVirtual Machine /Operate.
Thanks to the user interface that is also supplied you can manage different machine configurations and SINUMERIK CNC software versions. This way, you can map the job planning for several machines in one offline programming station (1:n).

Note

      
The training documentation was created based on a SINUMERIK ONE with the operator interface "SINUMERIK Operate Generation 2". You can choose to take the training on a SINUMERIK ONE, SINUMERIK 840D sl, SINUMERIK 828D with SINUMERIK Operate, with Sinutrain or with Run MyVirtual Machine. The basic operation of SINUMERIK Operate is identical in all cases.

[crazy^millman]

NCSIMUL offer a process that can accomplish this task. Need to build the machine with both controllers then it can take the code and covert it from the Fanuc to the Siemens. Another company I don''t do business with offers a solution, but sorry I don't mention their name in a public setting anymore.

[gcode]

I did this with a seat of Predator VCNC years ago
https://www.predator-software.com/Predator_Virtual_CNC_Software.htm">https://www.predator-software.com/Preda ... ftware.htm">https://www.predator-software.com/Predator_Virtual_CNC_Software.htm
My employer got a job for a bunch of aluminum hogouts
The customer supplied the material and Fanuc flavored NC files  
We wanted to run the parts on an old Cincinnati gantry mill

I ran the Fanuc NC files through Predator, saved them as Mastercam NCI and ran that
through our Cincinnati post.
It work perfectly for milling toolpaths but nor so well for canned drilling cycles
Fortunately, the files had almost no drilling.

[mkd]

I remember V9 had a reverse post to take fanuc NC files and import them into a locked NCI operation in MC

[gcode]

I've decided to abandon this idea.
This machine is worth millions and the parts we run on it are huge
An accident could easily destroy the machine and even kill someone.
We don't have Vericut for this machine yet, we're running a new unproven
post and the operators have zero experience with the control.
Putting a Siemens control on this machine was an seriously stupid idea.
The people responsible for this stupidity have been fired, now we have to suffer
the consequences and make it work.
I think slow and careful is the best approach.

[mkd]

Yeah a shop full of Fanuc VTLs, you have to work with blinders on to swerve off into Siemens land, even if that side is going Siemens on the mills. Whatever extremely minor bells and whistles it may offer dont come close to offsetting established skills and infrastructure. And it's nothing to do with criticizing old-timer thinking of "that's the way we've always done it" ; there's zero business case for the change.

Bitter pill but, spending another $150K to bring it (back) to a modern Fanuc will pay for itself over time. Opportunity costs should convince any bean counter. Management keeping with this decision needs to justify the full time programmer's wages over the next 5+ years to manage this clusterfuck.
$500k in programmer wages over the next 5 years for a full time job that didn't need to be created.
$500k opportunity cost of work that could have been going forward
that's a  million dollar fuckup. :huh:
CHANGE MY MIND :-)

[gcode]

that's a million dollar fuckup

it could be a million dollar fuckup Monday morning if the part we're trying to run on it got crashed  

[mkd]

Yeah a shop full of Fanuc VTLs, you have to work with blinders on to swerve off into Siemens land, even if that side is going Siemens on the mills. Whatever extremely minor bells and whistles it may offer dont come close to offsetting established skills and infrastructure. And it's nothing to do with criticizing old-timer thinking of "that's the way we've always done it" ; there's zero business case for the change.

Bitter pill but, spending another $150K to bring it (back) to a modern Fanuc will pay for itself over time. Opportunity costs should convince any bean counter. Management keeping with this decision needs to justify the full time programmer's wages over the next 5+ years to manage this clusterfuck.
$500k in programmer wages over the next 5 years for a full time job that didn't need to be created.
$500k opportunity cost of work that could have been going forward
that's a  million dollar fuckup. :huh:
CHANGE MY MIND :-)

[mkd]

Good point, a few Red Caps and Fanuc control would probably be less. Sure seems like less than labor over the next few years and less risk. Maybe not my million bucks, but still.....

[TSmcam]

I've decided to abandon this idea.
This machine is worth millions and the parts we run on it are huge
An accident could easily destroy the machine and even kill someone.
We don't have Vericut for this machine yet, we're running a new unproven
post and the operators have zero experience with the control.
Putting a Siemens control on this machine was an seriously stupid idea.
The people responsible for this stupidity have been fired, now we have to suffer
the consequences and make it work.
I think slow and careful is the best approach.

Are you getting a Vericut machine for it?