We have MR2, but still have backplot verify problems. Sometimes the verify won't show up unless you are in wireframe. Anyone else have this issue?

I agree that the horizontal toolpath is for flats, but I was wondering if there was an option in the waterline toolpath to machine flats similar to surface finish contour.

Is there any way to get the waterline toolpath to cut flats like you could with a surface finish contour?

quote: Try the "spiral limit" option.' Where is this setting at?

We have an OKUMA MCV-4020 that is 2 years old and we are hard milling some cavity blocks with it. It seems like every time we do a surface finish contour on a cone shape we get divots were the tool hesitates. We've tried different settings like follow surface, ramp, and high speed, but nothing really helps... it just moves the divots into different locations. I noticed that our Okuma has a HI-CUT option that is always and on I'm wondering if it is causing the tool to hesitate. It seemed like others that had this problem found it to be harmonics or vibration, but I can visually see the cutter hesitate.

We are having trouble with our toolpaths randomly becoming corrupt. After posting or saving the file, some operations will not regen until you make a copy of them in the operations manager. Is there a setting that is causing the operation to lose reference to the nci file?

When using a surface finish contour tool path and reducing the contour shallow minimum stepdown to less than .001", we get an error about the machining zone. Is there a tolerance or some other setting that is limiting us to a minimum of .001"? In version 9, we were able to go down as little as .0001"

Can you select an inner boundary and an outer boundary in the new waterline toolpath? I selected 2 boundaries, but did not see where you could specify one as inner and one as outer.

After updating to MR2, the X+ utility does not work... I've tried to reinstall, but no luck... and the operation screen is still blue. I searched threads, but most seem like if you reinstall, it should work.

Yes, we constantly work around the single boundary option by adding surfaces to contain. I have not used or found the waterline tool path, but if it is like surface finish contour and has the ability to isolate with multiple boundaries, it will be great. Why MC hasn't incorporated outer and inner boundaries on all surfacing tool paths yet is beyond me.

Is it possible in X to have more than one boundary in a surface finish contour operation? It would be nice to be able to isolate an area with an inner and outer boundary.

Thanks Johnny, "detect flats" did the trick!

Still working in v9... have not had the patience to learn X yet. Problem: Recently we have noticed that the Z depths on our parts are coming out shallow after a surface finish contour with flats. It seems to have a direct correlation with the maximum stepdown value. If I have .003 as my maximum stepdown, the depth comes out around .003 short. If my maximum stepdown is .025, the part is around .025 short. Mastercam does not want to let the endmill step down less than the specified maximum. Has anyone experienced this?

sweet. works fine now. Thanks

Gismo, What does windows-System-control-country refer to?

The current output for tool diameter is set to 2 decimal places on the HTML setup sheet. How can I change the output to 3 places? For example: .234 rather than .23

I've been to mmsonline.com and I agree, they do have lots of helpful info. I'm trying to find a formula to use for calculating feeds, speeds, and area of cut based on cutter type, coating, material SFM, and operation(rough, semi-finish, finish). I have some information built from trial and error, but I am having a hard time finding information to compare results. Has anyone found a working formula for similar variables?

I am trying to achieve the best surface finish on hardened H13(46-48 rc). The workpiece is usually roughed in to .020" p/s before heat treat depending on the size. Then a semi-finish to within .008" p/s and a then a finish operation to size. I have only experimented with HSM and do not have it completely figured out, but here is an example of what I have tried on finish passes using TiALN coated carbide cutters: SFM: 750 doc: .003 fpt: .005 This has worked ok in the past, but I'm always looking for ways to improve. I have a 15k MCV-4020 Okuma and would like to utilize it's full ability. If anyone can shed some light on HSM and how to achieve the best surface finish please do.

I think I found out the problem: Edge settings must be set to "over all edges" rather than "only between surfaces." Then the cut depths will work correctly.

I have a drafted pocket that I'm using a .500" endmill with a .032" corner radius to do a surface finish contour. The problem is that Mastercam wants to start the cutter below the top surface because the cutter is define as having a .032 radius. Is there any way to get the endmill to start above the surface, or even at Z0 instead of Z-.032? Please help.

Hello, We currently use the tool list under NC utils/setup sheet in Mastercam for presetting tools on the shop floor. I'm looking for a way to display the max. reach required for each tool. Is there a way to edit the tool list to show the information I need?

Hardmill How fast can you push your SFM if you have the RPM? Example: H13 RC 50 Carbide. TIALN Coated. Ceramic. I've had near mirror finish results with a 5/8" uncoated carbide at 1400 SFM and .003 fpt.

I currently have a KIPR125RP43540 that I was going to use to helix down within the pocket and then finish with a 3/4" carbide endmill to clean up the side walls, corners and bottom. I would like to do this with 1 cutter if there was something out there that could plunge and finish the pocket to +/-.0003. As far as the other holes go, I leaning towards a helix circular interpolation with an endmill.

I am tooling up for a job and I need some cutters to do the following: 1)bore a .500 .750, .752, .883, and a 1.25 hole thru a 1.875 thick plate of 4140 steel. 2)mill/plunge a 2" x 3" x 1" pocket with .750 corner radii and a R.06 at the bottom in 4140 steel. Any suggestions? I have a credit with Kennametal, so I will be getting all my tooling from them.

how do i get to the toolpath editor? I can edit my nc file, but I would like to select point in MC9 file.