Unfortunately, most of these kinds of decisions are based on $$$ instead of the things you note.

Lots to unpack there so without further adieu... 1) FANUC Program Transfer Tool (available https://www.fanucamerica.com/products/cnc/cnc-software/programming-simulation-software/program-transfer-tool for under $30 USD) . I use it and reccommend it HIGHLY. CF Cards MUST be 1GB or under for 30i/31i/0i-F series controls. I keep a 128MB (yes you read that right) card for older era machines. I get mine from Amazon. I like these for 1GB's https://www.amazon.com/1GB-Compact-Flash-100X-INDUSTRIAL-Pio/dp/B000ZNWOSS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=I99RBMCIPDWH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vy01M8EQ4MyyBDSDjeq_NuppS6M0tWgWrlcoasmKUzHjiYMoBe4U0bq62scns-U3Z0sxEMsM4q6X_kTLHXLVeZIRbO48o0Ipi--Hbq_FKm_aXz3hHfnB-91bIoKmwAUB53WTZHmRWTDJUWArvdnEuFhSkXyZiuemWcvM7BHOfMdrt8mszRDnM4pnfYkaWH1zERpJt7BhJnTVxO8zVuM1eqnIyDCY6XJQqDZxH8O15pWTx-OlI9AUfeXcdAxgw5UvrmuowILrWHeEtGMuZOhPyXp7I7NocgDEelaG2jZaAnk.d2rRem4np6HQzDANiXqa6evpgkauOin78IjLz0UNivw&dib_tag=se&keywords=1GB+CF+Cards&qid=1713845397&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A673261011&rnid=673240011&s=pc&sprefix=1gb+cf+cards%2Caps%2C126&sr=1-2 It's only frustrating if the company you bought your machine from is not knowledgable. Support matters. Especially today. 2) This is NOT a FANUC issue. This is 100% on the machine tool builder. We spec our machines with 8MB of CNC Memory and 1GB of Data Server Memory. The latest machines have SSD Drives with TB's of storage and they are FANUC so... the problem isn;t with FANUC it's with your builder improperly specing a machine. Assign blame wher it belongs. 3) See #1 4) I barely graduated high school... and by barely, I mean if it weren't for woodshop and PE I woudln;t even have had a 2.0 GPA... and I have no trouble connecting machines to networks if they are equipped with either an Embedded Ethernet port or a Data Server. Been doing it since the 90's. You need better machine tool support. 5)I've not been successful partitioning CF Cards lately. Like for the last 10 years lately. Just get a 1GB CF card or smaller with a PCMCIA adapter and it'll work. Embedded Ethernet is a simple setup. EIther use DHCP or set a static IP address, set the router and DNS IP Addresses, plug it in and it works. Just to prove a point to a customer, I went out to Home Depot, bought a Wireless Extender with an ethernet port, set it up, set the control for DHCP, set the router and DNS, restarted the adapter and I was able to ping the CNC form anywher ein the shop. Once I was connected to their network, I coudl upload and download programs at will. 6) You just need better machine tool support 7) I give away my knowledge for free. It's worth plenty, but so many gave to me freely, I'll give freely until I get burned. 8 ) I will say it's easy, because it is. I'm NOTHING special. Believe me. I'm just an average at best guy. Your machine tool dealer has a high degree of incompetence, or they are withholding support from you. Either way, I'm sorry you are going through this trouble. You should not have to suffer because of your machine tool dealer is incompetent or your machine tool builder didn't adequately option their machine. I hope this helps. Put ALL your pat programs on the DATA_SV. Just use CNC Memory for custom G/M-Codes, Custom MACROs, etc...

AMW, I'll pass this thread on to the product owner. Just a note that 2025 has received a bevy of Thread milling enhancements developed in concert with tooling manufacturers. Check out the Gradual entry on the lead in/out page to reduce shock load on engagement and the expanded entry/exit controls and speed/feed overrides, among others. Spindle direction is also now considered when displaying cut direction in the Machining direction box. Here's the full list of changes: Mastercam 2025 – Thread Mill Updates – myMastercam

This is one of the many areas I believe Matsuura is FAR superior to the toilet bowl lovers in machine design. Matsuura can get closer to the pallet center with the head/spindle. Doing this allows you to run shorter tool assemblies and it requires shorter work holding to get ot he part. All that to say a more rigid machining setup = the best metal removal scenario possible. In the MAM series they offer the MAM72-35V, MAM72-42V, MAM72-52V, MAM72-70V, and MAM72-100H. Then in the CUBLEX series there is a CUBLEX-35 and a CUBLEX-63. There was a CUBLEX-42 but I believe they discontinued it. 350mm, 420mm, 520mm, 700mm, and 1000mm respectively. The number after the dash is the CM value of MAX pallet Changing swing diameter essentially.

It can be done effectively... it just has to be approached in the right manner. The #1 issue with inspecting a part on the machine that produced it isn't that the machine is checking itself, it is that the connection between the coordinate system that manufactured the part and the coordinate system that is inspecting the part isn't broken. You MUST break that connection in order to get an accurate measurement. On a 5-Axis machine with a FANUC control, that means having G68.2, G54.4, machine parameters set correctly, AND the probing software that supports probing with those functions active. Don;t have ALL those things squared away and there WILL be trouble in paradise.

Support should be the #1 consideration when buying a 5-Axis machine. Much like a multi-tasking lathe support will make or break that machine. You could buy "the best" (whatever that is) machine but when the good for nothing AE shows up to train you, he (or she) has no clue about cutting parameters to utilize the machine to maximize it's capability, it's going to be on YOU to figure out. Oh sure, they'll tell you "... that's the CAM system's responsibility...", and it is, but only to a certain extent. When they cannot explain to you the role of point spacing, cut distance, and tolerance, and how it relates to machine performance, you ARE in for trouble.

does m198 work? it works on our 0 control feeler pallet machine. we use under 500 MB cards they don't like the bigger cards I got this from james Set the machine into "MDI" Mode. Press the OFFSET/SETTING button. Change/Set the “I/O Channel” to “4” Set "Parameter Write Enable" to "1" Press the Cancel AND Reset buttons simultaneously. This will clear the alarm you get stating parameter write is enabled. Press the "SYSTEM" button. Press the numbers "138" on the key pad then "NO. SRCH" on the soft keys (below the CRT). You'll need to set bit 7 to a 1 (Bit order is as follows - 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 - so you'll want to change the furthermost bit to the left to a 1) Press "3404" on the key pad then "NO. SRCH" on the soft keys. Arrow over to bit 2 (3rd bit from the right) and change that to a "1" Press "6005" on the key pad then "NO. SRCH" on the soft keys. Set Bit 0 to a 1. Press "6030" on the key pad then "NO. SRCH" on the soft keys. Change it to "198". Press the OFFSET/SETTING button to get back to setting and set Parameter Write Enable to a "0". Press Reset. Now, this will allow you to run directly off your memory card. Your main program in your machine control will just need to look like the following; % O100(MAIN PROGRAM) M198P1234 M30 % Optionally, you can add a Q to the M198 Pxxxx line (M198P1234Q101) and it will jump to that line number within the Sub Program. Your program on the memory card MUST be named Oxxxx (the exes being a 4 digit number that MUST correspond to the actual Sub Program Number in the sub program. (ex. O1234) with NO file extension. Your program on the memory card must be as follows (making sure the M198 P call AND the O number AND the Sub Program Number match as I've shown) % O1234(YOUR PROGRAM NAME HERE) (YOUR PROGRAM AS NORMAL) N101 M99 % You MUST have a memory card in the slot when “M198” is called or you will get an alarm. NOTE: You’ll need to have the following on hand as well; • USB Reader/Writer for your PC so you can load programs to the Compact Flash Card. • PCMCIA to Compact Flash Card Adapter so you can load programs from the Card to the machine. • 1MB to 1GB (MAX) Compact Flash Card. The smaller the capacity, the more likely it will be compatible with your machine.

Component size....number of different part numbers to make....required geometric tolerances....tool matrix size....level of required automation....control compatibility with rest of shop....programming SW.....verification SW....etc etc.... As THEE cncAppsGuy has said, TOTAL support is #1 as you're jumping into new water with the 1st machine. Of which, successfully implemented, should lead to your 2nd machine. But it's a BIG jump from a Vert or Hori....daunting if on your own with the hot job sat waiting for you! Knowing who you can then reliably phone, will make your decision far easier IMHO.

Ref ISO9001, there were 7xmandates when we got approval (2x man shop) back in 2007. It (9001) was updated in 2015 and the mandates were changed, but at the time I remember the assessor saying he knew of 1x UK company that was a 1x man band who had got approval and another company whose manual was 2 pages....the manual then consisted of flow downs to other documents which specified/controlled the said mandates. My manual was total of 35 pages, which was very padded out as the 1st half was design requirements and the tail end were copies of the things like CofC, Job Traveller, Invoice etc - I reckon I could have consolidated it to 15 pages if I'd removed the padding, as the design stuff was only for "sales" as we weren't "ISO approved" for that. But yes to quote Margaret Thatcher...."sometimes it is best to be specifically vague"....ie if you state ail job cards need sign off in ink, just state ink. If you state black pen, someone will use blue and you'll unnecessarily fail the audit (simplification but you get the idea). AS9100 (aero) was the next step with the only real main difference (at the time) being stock control - you had to control every inch of material, every rivet and screw and washer etc - ISO9001 you could just state (for the same material batch number) job 12345 had 10", job 12346 had 20", job 12347 had 10", of material batch number AXXXX and that was okay. AS9100 took that further by stock control monitoring so you had to detail incoming delivery of batch number AXXXX was 50", and you used 10, 20, and 10" on the 3x jobs above, so you now have 10" still left in stock (unsure of exactly how you get around tolerance of cutting and width of saw blades....for billets, washers, screws (ie "items") it's easy). Initially...."getting approval" can seem daunting, but if you break it all down to bite size chunks, the dauntingness rapidly diminishes. Certain practices you should really be doing anyway - such as material batch traceability gauge control and calibration, and office things like "contract review" which catches things like repeat purchase orders which have a revision/change, so you don't make at previous (old) issue.... Overall, it helped focus my business and got a 2x man band approved to be Tier 1x supplier for some major OEM's. Which then allowed us to grow but with control and focus.

Thanks for all the replies. I ended up going with the Mill 2 setup sheet and I got a lot of fields down: Here you can see the checkboxes I added, plus SFM and RPM (thanks rgrin!). I think my main problem now is styling. That being said, I wanted to say that I do understand this a little better. When people were saying that the naming convention was important, they weren't kidding. The name in parentheses is the XML tag that the interpreter goes down to. It's almost like you're peeling back layers of an onion, except you can't really go back up, but you can dig deeper down. Another thing I'd like to say is that I still have 0 clue how to use the scripting section. If anyone has any experience with that, please advise. I think it would be a great idea to write some unofficial documentation on this so that everyone can start writing ActiveReports, because when you start to dig down deep and really learn how it works over the course of a few weeks or so, you really start to have fun making things your own and figuring stuff out. Suffice it to say, I got most of my setup sheet done thanks to this forum and thanks to everyone's help. I really appreciate it.

Ask the pushers if they want the machines making more chips or checking parts. Maybe your management team thinks differently, but my management team always wants to make more chips. Some of them may not understand much about manufacturing, but they all understand more chips = more parts = more $$ ...food for thought, a CNC can do a CMM's job but not visa versa.

Yeah because of what I just mentioned above. When the above is done with a NIST Traceable artifact then the process is not just using the machine to inspect the part it is the process that is support the device which happens to be a CNC Machine. The device collecting the measurements doesn't matter at that point since the process to ensure what is collecting the measurements is validated and verified all is good. A CMM that is not correctly calibrated is not better than a machine tool that is not calibrated correctly either.

Well I learned last week a major very respected builder does their machine calibration services using levels and squares not an interferometer. The issue was our programming process used was called into question. Print states one thing, but then 20 other things state 20 other things. Print is the authority unless some inspector decides no they want a +/-.0005 on a part with a +/-.010 wall thickness on the print. Or a 16 finish when the print calls out 125 and add hundreds of hours of processing time to the project. Cut 6 pockets the same exact way and 2 of the 4 are acceptable, but then as we get to longer tools the deviation between the two tools doing the work became greater. Root cause analysis looks into the root of the problem. Machine has not been calibrated in over a year. I happened to be onsite when they were going through the machine calibration and what an eye opening experience that was. Levels and squares with a spindle gauge. No external way to verify the machine is going where it is told to. This is the extent of the full volumetric machine calibration process. I called James and make sure I hadn't lost my mind and was an internal interferometer installed on the machine in question I was unaware of. NO NOT ONE HE SUPPORTS and he was unaware of one being installed either. We both agreed even it one was that at someone point would have to be calibrated. Why is this an important topic of conversation and how is it related? Here is some light reading for those that take their jobs seriously. All the hates keep on hating. Machine tool calibration: Measurement, modeling, and compensation of machine tool errors There is too much to quote that is important.

I had the file checked and I was told was suspected pirated software used to create the file why I never responded back.

Took a quick look and it seemed easier to make a video than to write it all out (plus, I'm pretty much out of space to upload pictures and files!), hope that's okay:

Personally, I'm an Okuma guy. We bought an Okuma MU1000H in 2013 and have run it hard 24 hours a day 6 days a week for a decade. It has been such a good machine we bought a 2nd one in 2023. With a 170 station tool magazine and a 2 station pallet setup they are consistently the most productive machines in the plant. A 6 station pallet changer is available for these, but that would take up too much space for us. We struggled to find room for the 2nd machine. They build vertical trunnion machines as well from 4000mm tables to 8000mm. Okuma 5 axis machines

Whether or not inspecting on the same machine that made the part will meet your needs, will depend on your needs. If you want to do it properly, you should meet the same bar as for other measurement methods; get your machine laser / ballbar calibrated, do a measurement repeatability and uncertainty test, etc., and make sure that your uncertainty is less than 1/10 your tightest tolerance. You can include measuring a gauge block / pin / ring as part of your inspection process to warn you of any calibration drift, thermal expansion issue, or other problem.

If you look here https://www.fanucamerica.com/docs/default-source/cnc-files/brochures/function-catalog.pdf Or if it doesn't open for you - Web search "fanuc cnc functions communication software" then look at the Fanuc Brochure. Then search the 2023 Brochure for "memory" and read 098, 099, 558, 564, 774, and these tell you the latest options available for the latest controls. It looks like, for the F model, you have a 2MB maximum limit. If memory serves me, the available function is a Fanuc card that stays inserted into the PCMCIA slot with Fanuc installed software, and the control reads and processes it as "internal" memory. The best thing to do, is collate a list of your machines and control numbers, and email Fanuc explaining what you want to do, and asking what exactly you need. It seems you'll need a service visit to configure the machines to a network/DNC and at the same time they could install the extended memory and supply training for everything.

Hahaha that's exactly what I have done. It's painfully annoying trying to even get my modifications to go as I'd like. I've thought about trying to convince the boss man to get Varco Reports. I have heard great things about it. http://varcoreporting.com/ I can see they already have feed/tooth shown

Also, if you've got the inspection stuff squared away, it's easy peasy to generate reports, csv data, etc... If you can imagine it, you can format it, and generate reports.

There's also less handling if you can get in-machine-inspection working right, reliably, and efficiently.

OTI-FPT will give the chipload from the tool description. OOI-FPT or just FTP will give you the operation chipload. I would suggest just adding a field in the operation file so it generates for each operation. I recently updated my sheet to add some fields. I.E. XY stock Z step Edit: added a pic

Adding non manufacturing time adds TAKT time. Added TAKT time = higher cost. That said, WIP = Inventory. Inventory = Money. Money = Taxation Parts in inspection = WIP therefore there's a cost no matter where the part is within the factory. If you can integrate and automate processes you can bring down the labor component of part cost. "There are no perfect solutions, only compromises." Thomas Sowell

Support is the biggest concern with dmg without a doubt. Matsuura mam-52v system looks like it it would fit the bill as well. Ill check on availability. Seems like that is the biggest factor that we have been running into.

I looked into this and it looks like this escaped the What's New, but the description above is accurate. It's hard to quantify the changes you'll see other than "It does better in some scenarios". Because the results are different enough that it could change existing Swarf toolpaths substantially, they chose to leave in place the old method (legacy) as an option and default to the new Automatic in new paths.

Thank you James and Millman for the prompt answers. We are working on all this- and every bit of discussion and information helps! I copied the macro settings that you dropped me James, and the G10

G68.2 in a nutshell allows the part's coordinate system to follow the part around regardless of the tilt or rotational axes orientation. So X0, Y0, Z0 is X0, Y0, Z0 always no matter what. That's the basic explanation. There's a little more to it under the hood but that's basically what's going on. There's no need to even consider center of rotation, and it's better if you don't program to it. Writing the errors is just a matter of how you want to do it; by G10 or by variable number/variable name. By variable Number; https://www.dropbox.com/s/5f25nw9rg0nfrbu/WSEC Variable Table - FANUC 30i.pdf?dl=0 By G10 G90G10L23P = P1 – 7=P7 (x, y, z, a, b, c, and possibly a Tilt and a Rotary Axis)

Having G68.2 all the time is not a big deal. Biggest thing is understanding do you want the canned cycles to be supported in all 3+2 operations? Do you want the machine to track the fixture offset through all 3+2 work right next to G43.4 and then have G54.4 for error correcting as needed?

Spammer Colin Look in the quote, hidden link under Run3

We're aware of how useful this can be elsewhere and are looking at how we can implement it. That's why we placed this edge feed rate control in the Tool page rather than sequestered away in a threadmill specific page.

Will do! So far I've only ran a handful of programs so they are just on cnc memory but I'll swap everything over for my next project. this sounds very intriguing. I am currently making a few DIY tombstones for the MX-330 and I've been thinking about programming.. I don't have experience on horizontals so I never really have ran more than a couple of parts at a time, so I have always used toolpath transform.

Yeah it would be nice to have a choice of how depth cuts are handled. Thanks for passing on the suggestion.

Tool-edge feed rate would be useful in just about every toolpath, I think.

The other thing to be aware of, is the Entity Attributes Manager. This can be used to "assign" certain geometry and/or geometry properties, to various levels. (Example: force all Solids to "Level 40"). You may already be aware > but you can go into the "Unblank" view, and "unblank" something which has been blanked. I personally, avoid using Blank/Unblank, however I use Hide/Unhide extensively. (Say you have a bunch of stuff visible on the screen. You can select "the stuff you want to see and work with", and then press "ALT + E" on the keyboard. It will temporarily "hide" all the other geometry. You can now work with just the stuff you had visible, (measure, or construct new geometry, whatever), and then press "ALT + E" when you are done and wish to bring everything back visible. This is great because you can temporarily hide stuff, then make it visible, without messing with your Level visibility.

I've heard about Varco Reports and I gotta say, they look really nice. I can't imagine the amount of work needed to make this look so good! I did end up getting the feed/tooth by just recycling a demo report. I think that's the way to go if you're wanting to make a setup sheet; just use an existing one and modify it to the best of your ability. Or yknow, just go with Varco, lol.

I wouldn't be the best person to ask, but if I had to guess I would say that is not installed. I know we run 2 programs at once obviously, on S1 and S2, but I don't believe we have the ability to edit both simultaneously. I believe if the machine didn't come with it, sales never offered it to us, and we never asked about it. It was our first lathe outside of Haas so I think we just figured it would come with "the basics" As far as I know, even things like smoothing settings don't seem to work for them on that machine, or they never got it figured out? idk not my department so I gladly don't involve myself LOL Since purchase of the machine I think we've gone back 2 or 3 times and added features, more memory, etc.

@James - great comment ref your #1 above. I would also add the obvious that part shape material and workholding comes into it too. Measure the part xxxx on! Unclamp the part and distortion.... And Ron - Ref many Inspectors and their job choice...."If you can't do it, View it"

That's not really a concern. The collision detection only works to tilt the tool. Actual motion (the fact that this will cause the B to tilt) is only really a function of the post & machine definition. The part itself is stationary from the toolpath calculation side, which is why when you backplot it (not machine sim!), it shows the tool tilting. If you have the A Axis setup modelled, you can simply select it as part of the Collision Control > Avoidance Geometries selection and it'll be fine.

I'm fairly lost when it comes to setting up new sheets in active reports since I've got mine setup the way I like. It appears the default setup sheet (mill) report has FPT displayed. You might be able to track down how they did by going through that one? In the -Setup Sheet (MILL-TOOL) rpx file, they have FPT datafield listed as OTI-FPT. Maybe try that?

Matsuura has been palletizing 5-Axis machines since 1992. They (as did the majority of 5-Axis builders) left that toilet bowl design the Germans seem hell bent on using in the dust LONG ago. It's not the best design for a table/table kinematic machine. Trunion is the best for table/table.

Hello, Yes, that's what I have been doing, was just wondering where I could the server, password and username info. Thank you.

Saving as a parasolid- (.x_t) is the best solution, as both Mastercam and Solidworks use the parasolid kernel for modelling and there will be no translation or transformation of data when saving out to, and opening from, the parasolid format. Depending on the version mismatch between Mastercam and Solidworks, you may have to go into the Options box in the save dialog to set the output Parasolid version to a lower version that is supported by the older of the two packages you have installed.

That's perfectly normal LOL serious though, back in the day I was part owner of a small shop We had 2 Hass VF1's with 5C collet indexers.. We made boatloads of money with those 2 machines.

Asking questions on the Mastercam forum is a lot like shouting at clouds, so I thought I'd try here. The MC2025 PB3 Swarf Toolpath/Advanced Control now has Advanced and Advanced (Legacy) Obviously there is something different about the new Advanced or they would not have let Advanced (Legacy) behind. Does anyone know what the difference is? I'm doing a new project and getting excellent results from the Swarf toolpath. but I really can't detect any difference between Advanced and Advanced (Legacy)

Yep, correct. It will be updated with the latest MW documentation upon 2025 release- not as helpful for Gcode now

The documentation is actually available on Mastercam.com, under the Learning- Documentation area: Downloads – myMastercam The "Multiaxis Help" files are the ones you're looking for. Of course, be aware that not everything in those files is implemented or interfaced as shown.

I had to search for the latest release of MW documentation: ------------------ Automatic - Contact lines are placed in a way primarily minimizing the undercut to the target geometry and secondarily minimizing the allowance to the target geometry. In case the target geometry forms a ruled surface, this strategy will try to create a toolpath with neither undercut nor allowance. In case the target geometry is no ruled surface, it will try to create the toolpath with the least undercut and allowance possible. This strategy is intended as the default, first-shot strategy. It contains a number of heuristics to create a reasonable tool axis tilting on a wide range of input geometries. Optionally, users can define tilt lines to fine tune the tool axis alignment in specific areas ----------------- Automatic(legacy) - tries to place the tool on the swarf surface in a way that minimizes the area between the contact line from the lower to the upper curve and the swarf surface. Since the swarf surface is sometimes a parametric freeform surface (with double curvature), the area is not necessarily zero. ----------------- Sounds like they improved a some of the cases where automatic choked up, but are acknowledging that it might break some other situations they couldn't test for?

Ball Lock® (jergensinc.com)

Just ran some unattended parts with some tight tolerance 5 axis features and used probing to make it all possible. The parts had a +/-.0005 Dia bore that had to be machined from both sides. Good ole haas love to heat up and move around so relying on just COR for this wasn't gonna work. I machined half of the bore from one side, spun it 180 and did a wash down on the bore with that tool. Grabbed the probe and then from this side reached through to the the bore I just did on the opposite side, set a Work offset for just this feature, checked the size and position(more for mixxxx/chips hitting the probe. Then came and machined the other side of the bore. At the end of the program I had the probe check the whole bore from one side for size and position. This worked great. Both sides were within .0002ish from side to side and only drifted .0001-.0002 in size throughout the 30 part run (verified with a cmm) In process probing IMHO is way underutilized compared to the overall payback. I'm probably going to check more features as an in-process check when running unattended now.

It's a problem that only exists when you post this.. It's called "singularity" when the spindle is perpendicular to the C axis. Basically, because the BC is near 0, it calculates that from one side of the B axis to other it decides that it needs to rotate the C axis nearly 180°. Most likely the transition before/after this move where it crosses B0C0: There's a couple of strategies you can use to solve this, but the easiest way is to simply not let it get vertical. If you limit the toolpath so it isn't allowed to go within, say, 5° of B0C0, you can just avoid the problem. On the tool axis control page, turn on "Limits", then do something like this: