Clears everything and loads your standard template.
DELETE TOOL ALL
DELETE TOOLPATH ALL
DELETE MODEL ALL
LOAD TEMPLATE "C:\Templates\3_Axis_Standard.tpt"
MESSAGE "Ready to program"
Macros can do math, which is essential for dynamic offsets.
REAL dia = 20
REAL stepover = 0.4 * dia // Result: 8mm
EDIT TOOLPATH "Roughing" STEPOVER $stepover
Imagine you constantly receive steel blocks to machine. You always need to set the Workplane, Block (Stock), and Feed Rates. Here is how you write a macro for that. powermill macro
The Code:
// Macro Name: Setup_Steel_Block
// Description: Sets default block and feed rates for steel
// 1. Set the Workplane to World (ensures we start at origin)
ACTIVATE WORKPLANE ""
// 2. Define a Block (Stock) automatically based on the model extents
// This assumes a model is already imported
EDIT BLOCK ALL UNLOCK
EDIT BLOCK RESET
EDIT BLOCK TOLERANCE 0.1
EDIT BLOCK COORDINATE WORLD
// 3. Create a generic Tool
CREATE TOOL ; ENDMILL
RENAME TOOL ; "D10_Standard"
EDIT TOOL ; DIAMETER 10.0
EDIT TOOL ; LENGTH 50.0
// 4. Set default Feedrates (Plunge, Lead, Feed)
EDIT FEEDRATE PLUNGE 1000
EDIT FEEDRATE LEAD 2000
EDIT FEEDRATE CUT 3000
// 5. Message to the user
MESSAGE INFO "Standard Steel Setup Complete. Check Stock Dimensions."
PowerMill macros transform CAM programming from a manual chore into an automated process. Start by recording simple tasks (tool creation, stock setup), then gradually learn to edit the code. Within weeks, you will save hours of programming time per week. Clears everything and loads your standard template
Next Step: Open PowerMill, click the Record button, and automate your most annoying repetitive task today.
Need a specific macro written? Tell me the task (e.g., "create a macro that does a rest rough with a 6mm tool"), and I can write the code for you. Macros can do math, which is essential for dynamic offsets
Scripted Macros (The "Hand Coded" method): You write the macro using a text editor (like Notepad++ or VS Code) using PowerMill’s extensive command language.
This is the ultimate time saver. Instead of writing the same line for 50 tools, you loop through all entities.
// Rename all toolpaths to include "PRODUCTION_" prefix
FOREACH tp IN FOLDER("toolpath")
STRING old_name = $tp.Name
STRING new_name = "PRODUCTION_" + $old_name
RENAME TOOLPATH $old_name $new_name
ENDFOREACH
Let’s start with a practical scenario: You want to create a 10mm end mill, set its speed to 8000 RPM, and feed to 1500 mm/min.