How do I run the same job on two different machines without mixing up posts, feeds and tool numbers?

What is stored per machine

The software keeps a list of machine configurations. Three things hang off each one:

• Associated post-processors. On the Save Toolpaths form you pick the Machine first, and the post-processor list then shows only the posts associated with that machine.
• Cutting data. Feeds, speeds and pass depths in the Tool Database are stored per machine and per material. Selecting a machine switches every tool to the set defined for it.
• Tool Number. This is defined per machine and shared across materials, so the same bit can be tool 3 on the tool changer machine and tool 1 on the other.

Set it up

1. Open Machine Configuration Management (Machine menu, the Tool Database, the Save Toolpaths form or the Estimating Machining Time form).
2. If the second machine is not there, use Duplicate Machine on the first one. Copy Cutting Data gives the new machine its own copy of every tool's settings to adjust, instead of starting from defaults.
3. Give each machine a distinct Name. Two machines cannot share a name.
4. Under Associated Post-Processors add only the posts that machine really uses. Right-click one and choose Make Default so it is preselected when saving.
5. In the Tool Database, select each machine in turn and set the feeds, speeds, pass depth and Tool Number for the bits you use on it.
6. Optionally enter each machine's Acceleration values. They do not change the G-code; they only improve time estimates, and the estimate form has a Machine dropdown to choose whose values to use.

Saving the job for the second machine

1. On Save Toolpaths choose the other Machine, then its post.
2. Before saving, check that each toolpath carries feeds suited to that machine. The fetched documentation does not state that already calculated toolpaths update themselves when you switch machine, so do not assume it. Open the toolpath, confirm the tool settings, and recalculate if you change them.
3. Create a Job Sheet for each machine's version. It lists the tool, feed, plunge and spindle speed per toolpath, which makes a quick check.

Pro tips

• A post version can be pinned per machine: click the Version column and choose a fixed version instead of Latest if you do not want an update to change output on a machine that is running well.
• Put the machine name in the saved file name so files never cross over at the controller.
• If the two machines have different bed sizes, see the entries on job templates and on toolpath tiling.