I am having this problem. Can I ask what you changed to fix it. I am using the MPMaster post from the forum as my base. Thanks.

Colin, I also noticed that my Z depth are not correct even when the null tool changes are output. I must commented out something that I shouldn't have. I don't think I removed any code from the original so everything should be there. I just added a "#" to stop the output of some items and changed some switches to stop some others. I look forward to another great learning experience tomorrow night. Thanks,

Colin, I hope I didn't miss the next webinar session. I have been watching the forum and haven't seen any news about it. I am looking forward to it. Thanks.

I got the correct files zipped in this time. I also added a mcx-8 file and two .doc files. The sbeadle.set file is updated from our old one. The sbeadlebak.set file is my revised file from the new version. The old file only outputs one instance of the tool and combines the z depth to use the max depth but does not correctly figure drilling times. The new file I have added a time per tool. It outputs the drilling time correctly but I can't get it to output only one instance of the tool without causing problems with the minimum z depth. Thanks again Colin for the great web training. I am looking forward to the next one. DOT_SET_FILES.zip

I haven't shared files here in a while but if the attach file box works here they are. If there are issues opening the files send an e-mail to [email protected] and I will e-mail them back to you. Thanks, MILL_set.zip

Hello guys, I tried this question on the post forum but got no hits so I will try it here. I have been updating my .set setup sheet for several versions using update post. For X8 I decided to start fresh with the mill.set that came in with the install. I would like to take out duplicate copies of tools and combine the time and minimum z to one output per tool number (unless I force a tool change in the tool path). If I take out the "if op_id$ <> prv_op_id$, ptlchg$" line from ptlchg0$ there are no duplicate tools but the min z outputs in order like the null changes are still there so instead of this: T12 #5 Centerdrill Z-0.2850 1m T20 1/4" x 1/2" CARB .03 CR Z-0.0700 2m T20 1/4" x 1/2" CARB .03 CR Z-0.5620 5m T111 3/8" x 1.45" x .030 cr. Z-0.2516 2m T121 1/4" x 0.95" SGS #36509 .017 cr. Z-0.4985 20m I get this: T12 #5 Centerdrill Z-0.2850 1m T20 1/4" x 1/2" CARB .03 CR Z-0.0700 7m T111 3/8" x 1.45" x .030 cr. Z-0.5620 2m T121 1/4" x 0.95" SGS #36509 .017 cr. Z-0.2516 20m T131 3/16" x 0.95" SGS #36507 .012" cr. Z-0.4985 43m I am hoping that someone has overcome this problem that can help me out or send me a copy of the default version of mill.set that has been changed to work without null outputs the way that it did in earlier versions. I can zip my file and post it if anyone wants to play around with it, but if the default file can changed I can make my personal changes after or if someone could point me to the code I need to change that would be great too. Thanks in advance.

Hello guys, I have been updating my .set setup sheet for several versions using update post. For X8 I decided to start fresh with the mill.set that came in with the install. I would like to take out duplicate copies of tools and combine the time and minimum z to one output per tool number (unless I force a tool change in the tool path). If I take out the "if op_id$ <> prv_op_id$, ptlchg$" line from ptlchg0$ there are no duplicate tools but the min z outputs in order like the null changes are still there so instead of this: T12 #5 Centerdrill Z-0.2850 1m T20 1/4" x 1/2" CARB .03 CR Z-0.0700 2m T20 1/4" x 1/2" CARB .03 CR Z-0.5620 5m T111 3/8" x 1.45" x .030 cr. Z-0.2516 2m T121 1/4" x 0.95" SGS #36509 .017 cr. Z-0.4985 20m I get this: T12 #5 Centerdrill Z-0.2850 1m T20 1/4" x 1/2" CARB .03 CR Z-0.0700 7m T111 3/8" x 1.45" x .030 cr. Z-0.5620 2m T121 1/4" x 0.95" SGS #36509 .017 cr. Z-0.2516 20m T131 3/16" x 0.95" SGS #36507 .012" cr. Z-0.4985 43m I am hoping that someone has overcome this problem that can help me out or send me a copy of the default version of mill.set that has been changed to work without null outputs correctly. I can zip my file and post it if anyone wants to play around with it, but if the default file can changed I can make my personal changes after or if someone could point me to the code I need to change that would be great too. Thanks in advance.

tool crash or software crash?

I used to run a Mori that used the easy-set program. All you need is the code "G65 P9023 A3. Y(hole dia.) Z(check depth) S54. (for G54Y)". That will call the probe out and run the routine. You will have to establish the X,Y,Z location of the hole to check before you call the G65 line. Also on the Mori, the Z depth was an incremental distance from the current machine position before the G65 call. So, if the line before the call is "G00 G90 G54 X0. Y0. Z1." and the call line is "G65 P9023 A3. Y.375 Z-1.5 S54." the probe would go to X0,Y0, Z1 then drop to Z-.5 and do a Y axis center find on the 3/8" hole and then retract to Z1. and continue the rest of the program. I personally would use the A1. routine and replace the Y with a D for the hole diameter. If the X location is too far off the probe might not give you an accurate number. Also you can edit the 9023 program to get more or less starting clearance distance if the hole location being off causes you problems. Good Luck. I hope this helps.

We have been looking at a new software package for doing some micro machining that requires small diameter tools to run for long periods of time. Power mill and Cam-tool have options that allow you to force a tool change if a tool runs longer than a specified time so that the machine can check the tool run time and change to a spare tool if the life has ran out. I have searched for this feature in Mastercam but I have not found a way to accomplish it. If there is a way to do this inside a tool path and not using a C-hook would someone please tell me how to make it work. Thanks.

I am having this right click problem. We just updated to X7 and net hasp. It is definitely related to the net hasp. I left one computer using X5 alone and only changed it net hasp. It started with the right click problem immediately. Maybe with the refresh of this issue somebody has figured it out. Thanks

I also just finished a demo of X7 for SW. I have the same opinion as above. If you were a SolidWorks guru with little mastercam experience the tool paths works well. I would rather do my 2d work in mastercam and import the model for only the 3D work. I stink at sketching in SW.

My reseller has said do not use the Mastercam for solidworks product. I am not sure why. We have just recently started using solidworks and are thinking of upgrading from X5 to X7 to take advantage of our 64 bit computers. I have received the demo version of X7 from my reseller, but we are still unable to import the solid tree.

Thanks for the help guys.

I am sorry for the confusion. I am running Mcam X5 and SolidWorks but not MC4SW. I would like to know if we can cut SolidWorks sketch text in Mastercam without MC4SW of if we need it. Currently we can't even bring in the SolidWorks tree because we are running 32 bit Mcam and 64 bit SW. I need to convince the bosses we need to upgrade to X7 and add MC4SW to be more efficient between engineering and CNC programming. Thanks.

I am trying to implement SolidWorks in the engineering department at my company. We have Mastercam and Solidworks on the same computers. I would like to be able to send one Solidworks part file to the CNC programming department for them to use for machining. The issue is I want to have text imported from Solidworks that can be easily machined in Mastercam. I can import the text as a DXF or slddrw file, but as I said I would like to send only one file with the model and the text. If anyone knows a good way to do this please let me know. Thanks

Thanks for the help guys. I will try some things and get back to you and let you know how it goes.

I can send a sample of the code if you still need it, but the only code that is a problem is the G54.2P1. Every time the machine reads G54.2P1 it makes the incremental move in the amount of the G54.2P1 work offset numbers. If there in not a G00 or G01 with a feed rate the machine alarms with a feedrete 0. G90 or G91 active does not make any difference. I am sure it is a parameter problem, but all 7 of our Matrix Variax machines have the same problem. I have tried every sample program variation I could find from this forum and others and the same thing always happens. I even tried having Mazak send us a test program and we get the same result. I have went thru the parameter books and tried changing any parameter that has to do with dynamic offset. I found one parameter that keeps the G54.2P0 from making a move but it did not stop the G54.2P1 from moving. We have renishaw probes on all the machines if that may be causing any problems. My predacessor said he had worked with Mazak Applications with no luck, but I haven't tried them yet. They are my next try if nobody here has had to solve this problem before. Again any help is appreciated.

I have moved to a shop that has several Variaxis machines. We are not able to use the Dynamic work offset feature because our parts are too high above the center of rotation. Every time the machine reads the G54.2P1 it makes an incremental move that is the amount in the x, y, and z axis fixture offset. We use G54.1P1 as the center of rotation, move to a point off the part by hand editing the code, and let it make the incremental move it wants to make. The problem is on larger parts there is not enough room to clear the Z move without hitting the part. Is there a parameter in the machine or a work around that can keep the machine from making the move when it reads the G54.2P1? When our tool is 8" gage length and the part is more than say 5" above center of rotation, the tool has to go lower than the face of the part to allow for G54.2P1 to move up the 4" that is in the fixture offset in Z. G54.1P1 center of rotation value is: x-10.03937 y-7.28364 z-20.07874 G54.2P1 fixture offset value is: x-.5000 y+.5000 z+4.0000 We have to hand edit the g0g90g54.1p1 line to make z drop down 4" from home position to allow it to go back up 4" when the machine reads the G54.2P1 or it soft limits the machine. We have to allow for the tool length also. Any help is appreciated. If you need more info just let me know. Thanks.

Thanks. I have all the documentation. I have the milling side working, but I am having trouble getting the post to output the correct retract value at B90 deg. The manual says that it is the incremental value from initial point, but I cant get it to work at B90 because we are using diameter mode for turning at B90 deg. I also think I have an issue with the order of the codes when using polar milling. I haven't tried it in a while so I will need to post it at work Monday and copy it to a reply here to show you what I mean. If I have some good code to compare it to I can re-arrange the post order to get it to work. I think I may need to change the mode to radius instead of diameter. Thanks again for any help.

Hello, long time no posts, but I'm back. I am having trouble getting our integrex 200 ST (two spindle, two turret) to run with the post I am editing. I was wondering if someone could send me a working EIA program with some turning and drilling and C-axis milling. I can edit the post to do what I want but I am not sure if I have the code correct. Anything would be helpful, but some upper and lower turret paths would be nice. Thanks in advance. Just reply here and I can cut and paste or preferably e-mail me at ([email protected]). Thanks, rsbeadle

Thanks for the replies. I have heard the in house post is the best, but how good is it? We have lower turrets, but they are not a big issue. The main problem we haave is simultainious 5 axis and polar milling with c axis. We are Mazatrol programming all turning and drilling now, using Surfcam for the 3-d work only. The com[any is considering buying a Mori-Seiki so we may be going to esprit anyway, but Mastercam is so user friendly I hate not to give it a chance. Thanks.

I have moved to a medical devise machine shop that is using Surfcam and Mazatrol to program our integrex ST machines. I am trying to sell them on Mastercam but I have heard that mastercam has issues with integrex machines and posts. Surfcam is so bad for the integrex that we can only use it for milling, no turning or drilling. We are even using an ICAM post to get it to run and still do some minor hand editing. I just don't want to have to eat crow if I get them to try Mastercam and it won't post any better than Surfcam. If I get some info that X5 can do what we need I will contact Cad Cam Soultions in GA to set up a demo. Thanks

Regenerate Display works for me, but I have the same problem. I also get the answer its a video problem. I have a high end nVidia card that is in the family that CNC recommends so it should not be a video card problem. There may be a setting somewhere in the thousand or so setting for the card that Mcam doesn't like, But without some help from CNC there is no way to know the exact best setup for Mastercam.

I would just move the coolant on command up to where it cuts on in the first line of the code. That way you don't waste 5 seconds in every program. Unless your machine is very small by the time the spindle comes up to speed and tool rapids over to part the coolant should have caught up.