This sounds more like a real time machine monitoring issue. I have a "Cyber" link to my Mazak Integrex that is supposed to have this functionallity and also a real time CCD in the machine so I can see it in realtime. Soon I won't have to get out of bed, I can watch what's going on from home! (That's how it was sold anyway...) If it works as stated, I'll keep you posted.

In Pro/E a threaded hole is considered a "Cosmetic" feature and really is just a representation of the threaded form. Also instruct your design departments that a cylindrical cut is not a valid feature for a hole. "A Hole is a Hole". As for the Translators, I use the V9 Pro/E converter (no Solids) and Threaded holes appear only as holes - Trimmed Surfaces of Coarse.

Greg and Greg, I suggest an Emuge tap with a new tapper, Torque adapter with front release, and a little luck. Verify that the spindle speed on the machine is correct with a Tachometer before you even start. The fine pitch of the 0-80 will require a perfect Speed/Feed relationship or you will have to charge the customer more as you will supply a pre-installed tap with every hole produced... Good Luck [ 04-18-2002, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: MfgEng ]

I have the Pro/E translator (CNC Software) without the solids option. We import as trimmed surfaces and to date have had no problems. It is forbidden to modify the design model and so as mentioned above, we create manufacturing geometry on different layers. Haven't had experience with Solids (as translated) but a dealer should be able to confirm that you could modify as required (Glenn you should be able to answer...)

Nice Idea for a machine, but the hand solution could be improved with a contraption similar to the driver head I have for DRYWALL. Pay someone CDN$8.00/Hr and keep the other $59,992 for yourself...

Actually, Haas seems to have become fed up with James' bad attitiude and went somewhere else to be ripped apart...

Thanks to Inhouse, Glenn and Mastercam for having such Powerful tool paths that work in a Mill/Turn machine. I have been given a seat of Pro/NC and many Hour$ of "Consulting" time from PTC that Glenn and Mastercam acomplished in short order. I manufacture a component similar to a feed screw but the Teeth are much finer and have a deeper profile. If anyone uses MC to make feed screws, I would love to correspond. (I have an Integrex Y70B - and Inhouse's post works Great...) Thanks, Andrew (MfgEng)

All - Who is the manufacturere of this FELIX cutter? I have been using Toroids, Buttons, and IndexEndmills for this type of Operation, and I have yet to encounter the Felix. Andrew

Bullines, I would pay for a function that would generate PROBE locations on a profile at a given spacing to check within a profile tolerance, given that the parameter for stock allowance is included in the calculation. Also if there is a way to vectorize the points so that we can drive the probe to the surface in a normal direction, this would give a more consistant probe trigger response. Mfg Eng

Elad - I heard of this post Currently it is "MPMASTERBETA" (Say it outloud quickly...) MfgEng

What is the Geometry and Grade of Insert that you are using? Sure like those Sweedes!

Try searching for a metric adjustable wrench! MfgEng

There is an application for this control over the licences if there are multiple seats using differing levels on a NetHASP. If the level control (ie /1,/2,/3) is not specified, Mastercam will grab a licence and tie it up so that others can not use it. Only need 2 seats of Level 3 of the 12 seats taht you have, Then use multiple Launch Icons with this control built in. This way the 2 Level 3's can float through the office until when someone needs it. Ask Al Brown for the Elegant Solution! MfgEng

Glenn's Dwell is the correct answer for waterjet and plasma type cutting where time for the stream to penetrate the thickness is required. Make the dwell dependant on material thickness for an even more elegant solution. MfgEng

The hard drive graphic is the key. On the screen,configure,allocations up the toolpath settings. You should be able to call tech.support if problems persist. MfgEng

Honorary Member, Senior Member, or with reference to Machining - Rigid Member! MfgEng

Ron_Roy What about importing the previous operations tooling into the Ops Manager. MfgEng

When pocketing, remember that the perifery of the cutter will be at a higher "Linear" feedrate when interpolating around a corner and so you should compensate for the internal arc feedrate. The Iscar 328 is a stable grade but I would use the 950 as it is more wear resistent and will allow you to run with a higher spindle speed. (For 1018 plate, I would go 800-1200sfm and a fpt of .006) Use an AIR BLOW to get the chips out of the way - Recutting chips is asking for trouble. For the 3 flute cutter in question with the APKT 15mm insert, RPM=3000 FEED~54ipm. Ramp down at 3 degrees and use a .3 factor for ramp feed. Watch the feed in the corners and slow down using a factor that relates tool diameter to radius interpolated. If the machine still hammers, try reducing the number of flutes to two (another cutter) and increasing the feed per tooth to .008/.012. ***Run Dry*** when the chips are first off the part they should be shiny silver. Don't touch them but watch as they begin to turn blue as they cool. If you use coolant the insert will micro fracture along the cutting edge and premature failure will result. Watch the load meter on the machine with a fresh set of inserts. Tool life is over when the load meter goes 30% over this (my personal limit, others may go as much as 50% but I have a limited steel budget!). Maximum profit lies just below the safety limit - so use caution! MfgEng

ALT-T will hide all tool paths. Didn't know the selective tool paths tip. Thanks Jay. MfgEng [ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: MfgEng ]

Thank you all for posting such great responses and discussions. Bryan.davis, I should like to visit your shop someday as it sounds like you have a great system for lights out manufacturing. Next topic should be the benefits of an FMS cell and all that relates to Quick Response Manufacturing and how we can apply Mastercam in that enviroment. Again Thanks, Topic Closed Mfg Eng

To Clarify my origional post, the intent is to have an automated system using a presetter to measure tools offline, to have an offset file created by the presetter and then to have our DNC system send this information into the machine tool. While the Touch Probing and Length measurement macros are nice, the fact remains that each machine is still required to generate its own offsets. In comparison, the measurements that Bryan.Davis is making reference to would take longer to do than the operation itself (ie Spot Drilling) and so excludes itself from consideration (For My Example...) where it makes perfect sense for his application (>.001% of runtime). The information compiled to date is fantastic and I thank everyone for their help. MillTurn - mcrae_andrew has mentioned a book Parametric Programming and Touch Probe Techniques for CNC Machine Tools - Mike Lynch Author, SME Publisher. Read this as it will help you develop your own applications. MfgEng

Special Thanks need to be extended to Douglas Adams for the initial idea of the babelfish! Thanks to billy for the translation, perhaps oneday I will expand my mind and learn to speak another 38 languages! MfgEng

I am implementing a system of offline tool measurement and want to generate a downloadable tool length offset file. The parametric nature of the fanuc lets the offsets fall into place simply but I have scoured the limited manuals that I have for the machine and can't find either a G10 or other method to access the tool offset register from a program. Are there any suggestions/solutions avail?? Sorry for the non-M/C related question but this is a collection of bright people. MfgEng

Billy, Please don't take this the wrong way, but the majority (~99.95%) of the posts are made in english here on this world wide forum. In order for all of us to enjoy the benefit of the advice offered by our collegues, we either must agree on a defacto standard or the forum needs to add a translation feature. Thanks, MfgEng

Wim, I think this may be corrected in the process model by translating all entities up 7.0 inches. The assignment of your work zero is the issue, not the post!