Interesting. I have similar applications in Inconel X750. We use a precision tool-makers vise ("square to the world" .0002, movable jaw pulls closed and down with allen bolt through jaw), to hold our fixture. We use three .75 thick x 2.5 high x 6.0 long precision gound rectangals. They have a dowel pin through at each end, and the inside faces are countersunk and hold bevel spring type washers that push the blocks apart, but will allow them to be pressed solidly against each other when clamped into the vise, to facilitate part removal Then we place .002/.003 thick brass shim stock between the faces, clamp the blocks into the vise, and machine counterbores to part nominal diameter. These counterbores centerlines are on the 2 seams where the outter blocks contact the center block. Also machine hole pattern with some tool clearence. Remove the shim stock, and the blocks hold our parts, 10 or 12 at a time, in 2 rows. Only difference is I hold the part O.D. to .0005 total deviation. The parts stay flat, I have some counterbores that are +.003/-.000 deep, and have no problems. I did find that I had to radius the "corners" at centerline, where the blocks meet, slightly, to avoid marking the O.D.s of the part. Have run many hundreds of parts with this holding method, using 2 fixture sets. As one is in the machine, the secons one is being unloaded, cleaned, and reloaded, so the spindle stays in work. I do some profiling on pockets, and never have had a part slip rotation-wise, or pull up. One note: The dowel fit should allow a light hand press fit. The blocks must all locate solidly along the bottom, with faces parallel within a couple of tenths. We used A2 steel, and heat treat after proving the tooling, so wear is not a worrisome factor. They work so well, we had several sets of "blanks" made up, and ready to use. If the dowels are 1/2 way up the blocks, both top and bottom can be used for different size parts, and accuracy is not affected. This is especially nice when the job comes back, as workholding set up is minimized. My vise always returns to the same location on the machine, within .0005 or better, so my setup man only has to pick up tool length offsets. Coordinates (G54, 55, etc.) are loaded with G10s' at start of the part program.

The company I work for was having the same problem. After talking to the people at MasterCam, we went ahead and made the purchase. While taking classes on 9.1, I was able to see a little of X. Migration from 9.1 to X should not be a problem, it is not so very different as one might think. If anything X looks less cumbersome, in that it takes fewer actions to complete a function. Cumbersome .... probably not the best word to use. Just the only one that came to mind. X is more stream-lined. Yes, there is a better way to say it. Especialy if one is used to Windoze. Plus, X has more features that most of us will find quite useful, IMHO.

Congradulations, Lars! (I know what you mean ...... I read here until my eyes won't focus anymore. A wealth of knowledge here)

Well, Gents, I wasn't up to par to make the advanced class, so Monday I will arrange for the basic 16 week class. I did get to look in on a class in progess, a Saturday class, once a week instead of twice during the week, on their 6th saturay of 16 or 18. The things they were working on looked good to me. It appears that the NTMA training is thorough indeed, meticulously working through every feature. So, I am not torqued I didn't have enough MAstercam under my belt to skip to advanced. It will benifit me to get the course(s) from the ground up, and as I will most likely work 'till the day I drop, I see it as a worthwhile investment of my time, and I will be a better, quicker programmer. The software, from what I have seen it do, certainly merrits whatever time one invests learning it. Hopefully, God willing, I'll get another 20 years or so of good health, and my goal is to become expert. Machine work has always been the one thing I excelled with, seldom does a job I process plan and program hit the floor that isn't on the money. Rarely. It gives me a good deal of satisfaction hell, I like and get along with machinery better than I do people, generaly speaking. CadCam, (Jay), thanks for the tip. I will be sure to inquire about the student companion disk, and will get in touch if it seems unavailable for some reason. Guess I not quite as crisp of mind as I was 20 years ago, and the software is a lot more full featured than when I first got started with CAM. Better stop now, if I go nostalgic, this will grow into a "mini-series"! Just can't decide, Should I be humble in my arrogance, or arrogantly humble? Maybe I'll just go drink beers, and be hung over instead! [ 01-08-2005, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: M-Cam Newbie ]

We've used these on 15-5 sst at 118 ipm, .07 doc. My Wakasha cutter uses an insert angled at 10 degrees. (If memory serves) They are very cool. In addition to the chip thinning they also transfer much of the high radial feedrate forces to axial load, making them quite stable. Run with an air blast to evacuate chips, have yet to get a failure while in-cut. Used on a Mori Seiki NV5000 w/ceramic bearings.

Hi guys, I went and obtained the required paperwork, and gave it to my employers' Human Resources dept. Everything appears to be positive on that end. I am going this morning to take a test at NTMA, Costa Mesa, in an attempt to get into the 16 week advanced class. Hopefully, my years of experience in machining and programming will facilitate my entry at that level, even though I am not yet a whiz with the MasterCam interface. I'll try and convince the test person that I will be able to keep up, and be up to speed after a few classes. I do have the advantage of bringing home the hardware key after work, and applying myself to improvement after work hours, and not only on work/class time. Thanks for all the replies, they reinforce my decision to go for it. This site is really "the Kind"! Yesterday, I even recieved a developed Post from a member, who also has a NV5000 maching center, that he says is very good, as a basis for me to start with, and he even mailed a copy to the individual who does the posts at my reseller. Talk about a helpful bunch, you guys are it! I have high hopes of becoming a resource for any and all who use this site, as I gain MasterCam knowledge, or read a posting I think I can offer help on. A side note to EZ3Put ... I don't chase 'em hard as I used to. Their place on my list of interests is at least where I would like it to be. Interest is still high, of course, Just not the major driving force, Why the change, you seek a source? Must have been that fourth divorce! Thanks to all for the replies! Regards, Paul

I am looking into taking a 16 week MAsterCam class at the Costa Mesa, Ca. NTMA facility, 2 nights a week. Trying to get the advanced class, looking for in-depth training. Is it a worthwhile endevour, meriting the investment of time required? Anyone have any thoughts, or experiences to share with me? (I am pretty new to MasterCam, but have programmed with another system for many years.) Appreciative of any comments. Paul

I've leveled several machines over the years. I can add nothing - some excellent advisors here!

Quote:"Ok, I have to ask. What would tipping the head do?" If you could do it, tipping the head would avoid the "Zero S.F.M." at centerline of cutter, thereby reducing radial pressure on the cutter. This assuming the tilt shifts the cutter center out of cut, or to the trailing edge of the cut. M-Cam Newbie

Migrating from EdgeCAM. A while back, another programmer was needed for a large influx of work. No one was found who could use EdgeCAM effectively, but there were many versed in MasterCAM. It was decided that due to the realitively large, local installed user base,(in fact, the largest of any CAM systems!), it would be in the companys' best interest to make the change. So, after talking to many people, reading up a tad, and interacting with a new employee here who used MasterCAM for 17 years as a moldmaker, we recommended the move to MasterCAM. Management realized the stratigic reasoning behind the recomendation, and walah, her I am, learning MasterCAM. I am currently outlining data for submission to our dealer, for custom posts to be produced for us, the 1st will be for our new, (I am bragging here a bit!), Mori Seiki NV5000a-40 machining center. We have high pressure coolant through the tool, flood coolant, air blast, conical and helical interpolation, a dual station A axis indexer requiring special output for actuation, a 12000 RPM spindle, 30 tool changer, and a ball-lock system for workholding tooling plates. It is a very nice piece of equipment, and the 1st new machine I have had in the shop since 1989, when Statham was located in Oxnard, Ca. It is the nicest machine I have ever worked with, and that in conjuction with our new MasterCAM software has me exibiting renewed enthusiasm for doing what I do, with a passion to learn again. Sorry, I get to going and I let my passion get the best of me. Don't always get so wordy! Thanks to all for the warm welcome, and I sincerely mean that. Thank you, everyone.

Hello, all. Just joined site, and have been reading randomly through some postings. This appears to be exactly the sort of site I was seeking: A place where people can share knowledge, get solutions to problems, gain exposure to others tricks and techniques. (I have yet to meet a machinist I could learn nothing from!) Having just moved from another software package to MasterCAM v9.1, and have been to the classes offered by CAD-CAM Consultants, I am definitely a "Newbie" to MasterCAM. I look forward to continued reading, and increasing interaction on this site. I work for Ametek Aerospace, Gulton-Statham Products, in Costa Mesa, Ca., for 25 years, 20 as C.N.C. Programmer, and have over 30 years machining experience. We are an instrument manufacturer, working to tight tolerances mostly on stainless steels. Just wanted to introduce myself, I hope to be around another 15 or 20 years, so plan on seeing some activity on the site from me, as I learn more on MasterCAM, or anytime I think my input might be of help to someone. Regards, Paul McDaniel ("M-Cam Newbie", for now)