https://www.ktoolinc.com/flat-bottom-drills These cut awesome! Can make a custom tool in a week.

Thanks Aaron!

Since this is turning into a book review thread, I'd highly recommend The Perfectionists: How precision engineering created the modern world by Simon Winchester. It's lighter and more expansive than Foundations of Accuracy (which is dealing specifically with respect to machine tools). The Perfectionists go from the evolution of stone tools to nano-level manufacturing, in sequential order. The chapters are based on tolerance as society progresses.

Sam, make sure on the Rotary Axis Control page for Rotation Type to check C Axis. The post converted it to C axis since you were on Center, but if you get off center using this switch will help. Everything else looked correct. When you start defining your 3D Lathe Tool pay close attention to the spindle direction when posted.

For speeds and feeds you can determine good numbers by calculating the chip load correct? Which is IPM/RPMx# of flutes

Sam, please attach the file. I would need to see if the post has been setup like a traditional Horizontal Lathe which works with no problems or as the VTL. Normally you can achieve this with TOP/Right on either, but would need to see how everything is configured to give the best help. Have a good day.

If you require any help with the tutorials just post a file up and I will make a screen recording video to help you. Yes the stock setup is different then the "mill" and like anything once you get it figured out it will seem easy.

In a case like this i would actively be seeking another job.

What version of Mastercam are you using? If you are using 2022, There is a known bug when using 3d tools that blocks information from being gathered by Active reports. The old 2d legacy tools work as expected. 3d tools don't share information. Mastercam is aware of the bug.

We actually send very little information to the operators. No comments, no tool information. Most things are checked by the machine... We have multiple tool databases (Mastercam, Vericut, etc...) but our Vericut database is king, meaning if there is ever a question about a tool's geometry Vericut is the record of reference. This is because we have a policy of 100% of our programs passing Vericut before going to the machines so if a tool is constructed to the Vericut spec it is safe to run. We have a software application in our tool crib where the tech enters the tool number and it pulls the tool information from Vericut and displays it on the computer. This includes cutter information, holder information, stickout, and min OAL plus a graphic of what it looks like. The tools are stored in a locked cabinet (Western Tool's FTS system, it is a 10!). When the tool manager needs a cutter he types in the tool number and it tells him the location of the tool by cabinet, drawer, row, and column. We set our tools using a Speroni presetter and the values are entered into our cell controller which will not accept a tool that is out of spec to its definition in the cell controller. The minimum length of the tool definition is equal to the length of the tool in the Vericut library. When the tool is loaded into the machine it triggers a first use macro, so the machine measures the tool with the laser the first time it goes into the spindle. If the tool is out more than .01" it is flagged as broken and prevented from further use. We have one tool library in our shop and that covers turning and milling, CAT40, CAPTO C6, C4, etc... We aren't a huge shop so it isn't an issue yet. These are all SOPs in our shop and they are written into our quality manual for AS9100. The main driver behind most of the processes is the lack of skilled labor in this field and also the fact that even skilled labor folks have bad days and can $hit the bed with the best of them, myself included. Qualified machinists seem to be a dying breed and some of the folks I have seem present themselves as a 'machinist' were really disappointing. Our toolroom manager started with zero machining experience and he started running the toolroom after about three months on the job. This is because he is VERY good at the details but the machines still check his work. Most of our machinists started with zero to less than two years experience and that includes our entire metrology department. The processes are all designed with that in mind. With this system we haven't had a tooling issue in a few years and yes, I'm knocking on my desk right now. I'm not sure this answers the question given above but I figured I'd share our processes on how we handle tooling. We have similar processes for every other aspect of the shop (first article, program prove out, program control, etc...) and they are followed to the letter and thus they work well.