// PowerMill Macro: Create Multiple Features from CSV Data // Reads feature definitions from CSV file and creates them// Configuration STRING $csv_file = "C:/Temp/features.csv" STRING $base_layer = "PRODUCTION_FEATURES"
// Create base layer CREATE LAYER $base_layer ACTIVATE LAYER $base_layer
// Read and process CSV (format: Type,Name,X,Y,Z,Length,Width,Depth,Radius) FILE OPEN $csv_file FOR READ AS read_handle
WHILE NOT EOF(read_handle) STRING $line = FILE READLINE read_handle
// Parse CSV line (simplified - use proper parsing in production) STRING $type = EXTRACT($line, 1, ",") STRING $feat_name = EXTRACT($line, 2, ",") REAL $x_pos = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 3, ",")) REAL $y_pos = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 4, ",")) REAL $z_pos = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 5, ",")) REAL $length = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 6, ",")) REAL $width = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 7, ",")) REAL $depth = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 8, ",")) REAL $radius = VALUE(EXTRACT($line, 9, ",")) // Create feature based on type SWITCH $type CASE "POCKET" CREATE FEATURE POCKET EDIT FEATURE "Pocket Feature" NAME $feat_name EDIT FEATURE $feat_name DEPTH $depth EDIT FEATURE $feat_name Z_TOP $z_pos // Create geometry CREATE WIREFRAME RECTANGLE CORNERS ($x_pos-$length/2) ($y_pos-$width/2) ($x_pos+$length/2) ($y_pos+$width/2) EDIT FEATURE $feat_name ADD WIREFRAME LAST_WIREFRAME_NAME() CASE "BOSS" CREATE FEATURE BOSS EDIT FEATURE "Boss Feature" NAME $feat_name EDIT FEATURE $feat_name HEIGHT $depth // Add geometry creation code CASE "HOLE" CREATE FEATURE HOLE EDIT FEATURE "Hole Feature" NAME $feat_name EDIT FEATURE $feat_name DEPTH $depth EDIT FEATURE $feat_name DIAMETER $radius // Add position point CREATE WIREFRAME POINT $x_pos $y_pos $z_pos EDIT FEATURE $feat_name ADD WIREFRAME LAST_WIREFRAME_NAME()FILE CLOSE read_handle
MESSAGE INFO "Features created from CSV file"
If you don't know the code for a specific action, use the Record function. powermill macro
The real power of macros comes when you need to process a list of items (like multiple surfaces or toolpaths). You use FOREACH loops for this.
Example: Rename All Toolpaths If you have 50 toolpaths named "1", "2", "3", etc., and you want to prefix them with "ProjectX_":
// Define a counter for naming (optional, just for logic)
INT Count = 0
// Loop through every toolpath in the explorer
FOREACH tp IN folder('toolpath')
// Get the current name
STRING CurrentName = tp.Name
// Define the new name
STRING NewName = "ProjectX_" + CurrentName
// Rename the toolpath
RENAME Toolpath $CurrentName $NewName
// Increment counter
$Count = Count + 1
MESSAGE INFO "Renamed " + $Count + " toolpaths."
Open Notepad and type the following:
// Create a 10mm End Mill CREATE TOOL ; "10mm_EndMill" ENDMILL EDIT TOOL "10mm_EndMill" DIAMETER 10 EDIT TOOL "10mm_EndMill" OVERALL_LENGTH 75 EDIT TOOL "10mm_EndMill" LENGTH 30
// Set Speeds and Feeds SET TOOL "10mm_EndMill" SPINDLE_SPEED 8000 SET TOOL "10mm_EndMill" FEED_CUTTING 1500// PowerMill Macro: Create Multiple Features from CSV
Save the file as Create_10mm_EM.mac. In PowerMill, go to Start > Macro > Run and select your file. Instantly, the tool exists.
The advantage? You see the logic. Next week, you can copy this file, change the diameter to 12mm, and rename the tool in 30 seconds (as opposed to re-recording).