A.L.K, cunstruction plane needs to be top as well as WCS. Tool plane only to right. I have a post for a Mazak that I made from the MPROUTER post that is working for me. There is a post in here somewhere that explains how to make mill post from the router post. The link above may be it, but I did not follow it. Also be sure to add an aggregate head to your machine definition. The angles are tricky so you may have to play around with them to get it set up properly.

Goldorak, I guess I just misunderstood the wording you used. The reason you are not seeing the problem may be that you are using level 1. I am in Mill level 3 with solids, but I don't have to have 3d toolpaths to get the problem. I just used a 1/2" end mill with .250 step over for the pocket and for the finish op. If we can get a poll going everyone please include which level of Mastercam you are using. I did mention above that I used new configs for X3, but I did import my old tool library from MC9 as a text file to X to X2 to X3.

Goldorac, the 2d path needs to be an op after the transform op (1st op, transform op, 2d op). I think you are transforming all ops. Just transform the 1st op, then add a seperate op after the transform not included in the transform. I have a co-worker in the Beta tester group that has the same problem in X4 production candidate. 1-local files 2-single install 3-new configs for X3

I found it. http://www.mastercam.com/Support/TechTips/...depthbuffer.htm If you are using an Nvidia Quadro FX graphics card, and are experiencing a flashing or trailing diplsay when using Backplot, you need to disable a setting for the graphics card. Go to the graphics card settings, and to the “Open GL Settings”. Deselect the “Use unified back/depth buffer” setting. This will fix the problem. Note: The standard Nvidia FX card does not have this setting.

I had a similar problem. If you have an nvidia graphics card there is a setting that has to be changed to correct this. It is something to do with "tesselation"(?) or maybe something else. I found a FAQ somewhere on the Mastercam web site that had the solution. I will check to see if I can find it again and post it here.

I have found a bug in X3MU1. Every time I use toolpath transform in a program the 2d operations that come after the transform op take a long time to process. I have not posted a file, but I drew a four 1.5" circles at 90 degrees around origin, did a pocket toolpath on one 2" deep, transform-rotate-4 at 90 deg. Then in the next op do a 2d contour toolpath of the 4 circles together 2" deep. The op should generate in a flash, but it takes a while to generate. Same results if you make a change and regenerate. The bigger the file the longer it takes. I have a program that takes almost 2 min to generate a similar 2d contour on 6 circles.

I am wondering if anyone else is having these problems. With X3MU1 my drop down icons don't change to the last selected menu item. For example I have an analyze icon drop down menu in my top toolbar. The first icon is analyze entity properties. When I used an item from the drop down menu such as analyze angle it's icon replaced the main icon in X3 but the icon stays on the main icon in MU1. I also seem to be limited to one undo like in V9. I tried several different actions but still only one undo. I may have a problem with someone on the night shift messing around with my computer, but before I try re-installing MU1 I would like to know if anyone else is having these problems. Thanks.

If you are using X3MU1 you may need to go into th econtrol panel/mastercam area and turn off the new arc filter. I had some problems with gouging in finish parallel until I turned it off.

John, I have not e-mailed qc@mastercam, but I have talked with my reseller about the new arc filter in MU1. I have had some gouging trouble running surface finish parallel with the new filter turned on. After I switched it off the gouges are gone. Thanks

Mastercam X3 MU1 Mill level 3 Dell precision workstation 690 Xeon [email protected] ghz xp pro sp3 2 gig ram speed(?) 4min 50 sec I tried it with new arc filter on and got 3 art error warning boxes. I turned off the new arc filter and got no errors but same time

I now can't get my imported models from engineering without converting to parasolid since they have upgraded to Solidworks 09. Anyone know if the new translator will be in the next patch? Thanks

I may be in the minority, but I am pleased with the stability improvments from X2 to X3. I did find out that it is best to uninstall all older versions of Mastercam before a major release install. I think the default directory C:mcamx is important to a properly functioning install. I tried to keep X2 and install X3 in a seperate directory but I had constant problems. I do agree, however, that chaining needs to be addressed in Xform (no chain prompt box) and I have had the highlight issue. But by far I have a much more stable system in X3 than in X2.

I agree about the recruiters, they are ruining the wage curve by sending anyone who can spell "CNC" to high end machine shops. I don't have a resume that can even come close to describing what I am capable of, but I can program, setup, and build most any part that is put in front of me. I have been to a few high end aerospace shops to apply, but as soon as they see that I work in a die shop they put me at the bottom of the pile. But if a community college kid comes in with a certificate that shows that he (or she) can make a hammer form a bar of steel he gets the job. I am a short drive from Huntsville, AL, but I don't know any people in the aerospace industry because I have been in die shops for 17 years. If I could get my foot in the door in any shop I am sure that I can be an asset, but I don't have any way to prove what I can do. If anyone out there has any advise for me as how to "hear" about these good jobs that aren't listed please tell all uf us. Thanks

Sorry, I forgot to link to the help section. Help/c-hooks & net-hooks/run user application.

The help reads: "C-Hooks and NET-Hooks C-Hooks and NET-Hooks are add-in applications or utilities that customize, enhance, or extend Mastercam's functionality. They can be created by individual users, resellers, third-party application developers, or by CNC Software itself. C-Hooks are written in C/C++, while NET-Hooks can be written in major .NET languages such as Visual Basic.NET, C#, or J#. Both are compiled into standalone DLLs and installed in the Chooks folder in your Mastercam program directory. Your Mastercam installation CD includes the necessary resources for you to create your own C-Hooks or NET-Hooks. The C-Hook development kit includes all the necessary SDKs and documentation. You can install it separately anywhere on your workstation. The NETHook.dll is installed in your Mastercam program directory when you install Mastercam. It contains all the NET-Hook programming resources that your .NET development tool needs." I didn't think it was on my CD, but I had to ask.

My Mastercam help file says there is a c-hook SDK available on my install CD, but I can't find it. Do I need to reinstall X3 to get it or can I install it as a stand alone? Thanks

Thad, If you know something I don't please inform me. I can make letters on a radius and then toolpath the letters, but I want mcx to prompt me for the text and automatically create a toolpath for them. Thanks for any help.

I am thinking about making a VB script that will prompt for letters, prompt for and then place them on a radius, and then engrave the letters with a toolpath. I was wondering if anyone has made anything similar. If you could share your work please let me know and it will save me a lot of time. If I get one made I will try and upload it to the FTP site here.

I am back today from cutting the Aluminum/Boron Carbide parts. I only had to cut a profile on one end of an 18 inch long by .075 thick sheet. The customer had a SGS Z-carb he wanted me to try. It made about 4 inches into the part before the burr got so bad I had to stop it. The tool had a .075 groove in the side that looked like it was ground in. I went to an OSG Exocarb diamond coated tool and made about 4 parts before I got noticeable wear. I set up the program to move the tool down the flute length at .100 increments to get more tool life. Even doing that I expect maybe 25 parts per cutter at $190.00 a pop. My customer has to make 1000 parts. I recommended going to a PCD router tool made for cutting fiberglass and composite wood. This tool is $500 each, but should last much longer.

I also have a similar project I have to start Tuesday. Check this out: ALUMINUM/BORON CARBIDE MATRIX. I have to go into a customers shop and get them started on a production type job cutting this stuff. I have no idea what is going to happen when a cutter hits this stuff. Anyone cutting anything similar to this stuff please chime in. Thanks.

Thanks guys, Starting at the top; A DX32 is a Bridgeport CNC control used on the true Bridgeport machines (before Hardinge). Greg, I haven't gotten far enough in to go to the reseller and ask for a post yet, I just wondered if maybe I missed it on the install CD. Weyland, I have a working post, I just don't want to wind up in X5 with a V9 inported post and machine definition that doesn't enable all of the features that might be available. We may be phasing out these machines in the next few years, but as long as the hold up we will be using them. The machines are Torque-Cut model (low end). They are the first CNC's this company bought back in the mid 90's. We are converting to Mazaks now so in the next few years I might be able to finally unload these dinosaurs to the bone yard. Thanks

Is there a machine def and post anywhere on the CD or the website made specifically for X or X2?. All I can find is generic fanuc control defs and posts. I can hopefully convert one of the generics if necessary, but one a little closer to the DX32 would be nice. I am using an updated V9 post and imported machine def now, but I need to get a good X2 machine definition to keep up to date. Thanks

Thanks danbo. I am pretty sure your method will work, but I was thinking more along the lines of using a 4th axis type program and keeping the progam using only X and Z and replacing A with C for the 4th axis. I know there is a c-hook to contour using the A axis in X2 mill (roll? something). I can edit the post to output g and m codes for the lathe easily if I can get the moves to output what I need. Anyone out there doing this? Thanks.

We are in the process of getting a Daewoo / Doosan vertical lathe with Fanuc 21i control and live tooling. We can g code the lathe programs but not the c-axis contouring programs. Is it possible to use mill level 3 to post programs to the lathe for the live tooling? I can do some minor post mods but I am no expert. We can get lathe added to a seat if we neet to but I would like to avoid it if possible. Thanks

I have turned some inconell before and had trouble until I figured out that the biggest problem is surface work hardening. I ran around 300sfm with an "el-cheapo" stellram insert at .050 face off cut. The piece I was turning was a 14" cast square (yes I said turning a square) for a hydraulic cylinder end piece. I faced off about .200 per corner. The tip held up well but I had terrible edge wear .050 back from the tip due to the work hardened edge. I am not sure if it was 718 inconell or not because it was a farm job and we did not order the steel for it, but was supposed to be 718. hope this helps.