I just installed mcam ver 9 sp1 (w/solids).

Do I still need to download any patches or updates from the website?

(sim updates?, post updates?, add ons?, multisurf patch?)

I'm running MCAM ver 8 5.1.2 mill level 3 on a WinNT machine. I will be upgrading to ver 9 mill & solids.

...any advice on installation?

will my post still work?

will my configuration files be lost?

will I lose anything that I should save/bu first?

All answers will be appreciated

I agree with both rsbeadle and claus's suggestions. But I hope it would include all

of the following basic information also.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Company:

Print #: rev:

Part description:

Units:

Material: Size:

Programmed by:

Program Zero location:

Program #:

DNC ID:

Define operations:

Define tools:

(notes)

how to hold part

change clamps at “M00”

what the program machines

change T3 every 4 parts

etc….etc…..etc….

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It's important to give the shop floor personnel

the information needed to run a job. Something that they can verify against their job paperwork.

I hope these and other suggestions will be implemented!

I appreciate your answers.

I am machining a complex layup mold. I'm using a Cincinnati Sabre vert mill machine with an Acramatic 2100 control. There are G17 G18 G19 moves all over this program. In the past I never had any posting problems. Now I'm getting axis errors after tool changes.

Right now my post does not put a G17 at tool changes. If the program is in G18 before a tool change it will still be in a G18 mode after the tool change.( unless a G17 or G19 is needed then the program updates to the correct mode)

Do I need to put a G17 at all tool changes in the post?

If the answer is yes.... and I'm in a G19 mode before a tool change and after the tool change the next tool also needs to be in G19 will the program update itself or will the G17 cancel the G19?

We use NT 4.0 on all our pc/workstations and our server also runs on NT. We've had no major problems. I feel that NT is a very stable OS.

What is the definitive Mastercam job plan / setup sheet? Something that is associative to the model geometry. Every time I “get” geometry file # 1212, all of the following information is with the file. If I am not available and some one else needs to “get” a program from my workstation they won’t have to guess what a program does, or what revision it is, all this information will be there for them to look at.

Company:

Print #: rev:

Part description:

Units:

Material: Size:

Programmed by:

Program Zero location:

Program #:

DNC ID:

Define operations:

Define tools:

(notes)

how to hold part

change clamps at “M00”

what the program machines

change tool 3 every 4 parts

etc….etc…..etc….

It's important to give the guy's on the shop floor

the infomation needed to run a job. Something that they can verify against their job paperwork.

I hope there is an answer to this question.

As always your time in answering these questions is appreciated.

Frank, we use Focal Point.(by CNC Engineering)

It works fine for us. We've been using it for about 8 yrs.

I would suggest do some research, ask questions and make sure it does what you want it to do. Each system will have it's own options/advantages.

......and last but most important...When you have the DNC sytem installed and hooked to all your machines.......before the technician leaves, double check to verify all your machines are communicating correctly.

When importing/converting a dwg file....Do I have any control as to what gets converted or what does not get converted? If the file does not convert properly (I don't get all dimensions or a surface is missing), is there any options or settings I can tinker with to improve my results?

These questions would also apply if I was converting a dxf,iges, step or para-solid file.

As always, advice from the forum is appeciated!

Both answers led me in the right direction.

With past cam systems that I have used, the surface toolpath, once generated, was geometry in your model. Meaning that you could treat it as any other 2d or 3d line, arc, spline, point, hole or surface etc, etc.....

In mastercam when surface toolpath is generated, you can see the path but you can't "touch" the path. (visual only)

Can any one give me a quick lesson on using toolpath editor? I tried a few things a few times and nothing is happening.

I have a model file with surface toolpath in it, and want to remove a .400" section of 1 pass. I can see in back plot or verify where the section is but I can't access the section.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Adjusting the gap setting did the trick. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks for the advice....I'll try the gap adjustment over the next couple of days. I'll let you know how it worked out.

Is there a way to connect surface toolpath. On certain parts that I machine the the toolpath seems to jump up and down alot. What can I do to prevent this or produce smoother toolpath.

I looked at toolpath editor......but that seems

pretty much for points or removing passes.

Any help or hints will be appreciated.

Does anyone know where I can get a post for

a Makino SNC64 with a "Pro A" control. This is a high speed vert milling machine.

I believe it is similar to a "Fanuc 18T" control.

I figured before I experiment with the Fanuc post I would see what is available.

maestro....I think I to might like to see this file. I looked on the ftp site but couldn't find it. Is it still there?

Would you be willing to e-mail me a copy?

[email protected]

the girls our 11 & 13 yrs old

what games?...I don't know specific titles

money????? Money is a concern, but I just want to hear what is recommended. I want to see where I need to be.

Dual boot?? no chance-no way that is nothing but trouble

Does such a beast exist?

Unfortunately money is an object!.....but I would like to get a computer for home that will handle games for the kids and cad/cam for myself.

My biggest concern(correct me if I am wrong)is the video/graphics part of the pc. What card? how much video memory? What chipset? etc...etc...

What o/s will work best?

All recommendations will be appreciated.

Bertau......Thanks for creating that surface, it looks great.

Can you let me in on what method you used to create it!

I placed a file named delsurf.mc8 on the FTP site.

It is in the "MC8 files" folder.

You will see 6 trimmed surfs. I need to create the missing surface. (you'll see what I am asking about)

Your help will be appreciated!

I have a form that consist of two, 3d parametric

splines. From the top view it looks like a tear drop or a leaf on the stem of a plant.

What would be the best method of creating a surface with this type of geometry?

Adding a point worked like a charm!

I have to create a surface. The shape from the top view looks like a standard triangle. In reality, each triangle side is a 3d parametric spline.

I tried creating a surface using coons but that prompts me for 4 sides of geometry, I only have 3 sides of geometry to work with. What would be the best method for creating this surface?

I just updated to V8.1.1.

I can also update my mpmill.exe, mpparam.exe and core8hlp.exe (i didn't yet)

Should I update with these files also and what are these files responsible for?

Thank You,

Ken

That seemed to do the trick. I'm at ver 8.1.1 and can apply toolpath to my surfaces again

Thank You.....Ken