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Nathan G. Baldwin

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Everything posted by Nathan G. Baldwin

  1. using Mcam2018.. any way to set the "operation defaults" for geometry nesting?
  2. I got it sorted. It's been a while and I forgot that there HAS to be a flat on the tip of the tool in engraving or the toolpath won't calculate. Thanks!
  3. I'm having a super tough time using the Engraving toolpaths in Router 2018, Can't seem to get the tool path to generate. All closed chains, 45 deg. tool, Not sure what's up. same error every time.
  4. I'm programming a Toyoda FA450III Horizontal with a Fanuc 16i and need to go beyond standard work offsets. can anyone answer a few questions? I've waited a week for Toyoda to call me back. 1. what's the best base to use for my post? does MPFAN support extended work offsets? 2. Can anyone show me how to set the values and call them from within the program? My toyoda manual doesn't provide ANY programming examples. 3. How can I tell if I have access to extended offsets? all I can change from the offsets screen is G54-59, and as I understand it, the extended offsets are optional... 4. If I don't have them, can I change the values of standard offsets (g54 - g59) within the program? Big thanks in advance.
  5. I'm having issues getting a program working that uses a turret, then b turret, which I thought was solely controlled by G13/14, however, when I load the program, It seems to want to run both at the same time, which gives me errors.. Further, because of this issue, i tried writing a scheduled program to run the two ops separately, which seems to be missing all but the M30 when I load it to run. Anybody deal with this often enough to help?. attached file is the one i'm working on. it's a combination of another programmer's original and my addition of the drill/tap cycle at the end (all done by the B turret)
  6. Thanks Guys, I've thought several times there shouldn't be any obround at all, or at least minimal.. this seems to confirm my suspicion. Jeff-it's a lot easier to do that when you're not trying to recommend a machining process that will leave the blame solely on you should anything go wrong, lol. Again, thanks for being bada$$es.
  7. We have a Cadetmate and a 4020, and three big horizontals. My spindle load meter on the Cadetmate for a new part I'm testing is running right around 80-85% for about 30% of runtime on an 8 min part. These machines are used for production, but i'd rather not send our maintenance costs through the roof. Can anybody tell me if this is safe to run without putting tons of extra wear on the machine? In addition to that, When boring with a finish mill we almost always find a slight (.002 - .005") oblong in our holes. We've always had them regardless of machining method.. (we started off with inserted drills then finish mill, now we do helical milling on large bores).. Any ideas? The only thing I can think is maybe a worn ballscrew on the Y axis. Thanks
  8. Note also.. Any operation you create in mastercam can be saved out, both as an operation, as well as to your operation defaults. If you cut the same materials/types of cuts most all the time you can set operation defaults to always begin with a template you've designed. it's as simple as setting up a regular toolpath. As if that wasn't enough, you can do the same with stock sizes, materials, and machine settings. For more information, you should definitely read through the libraries section of your version's "Getting started guide" which is located in the documentation folder in your startup menu. (windows>start>all programs>mastercam X(version)>documentation) Hope that helps.
  9. Note also.. Any operation you create in mastercam can be saved out, both as an operation, as well as to your operation defaults. If you cut the same materials/types of cuts most all the time you can set operation defaults to always begin with a template you've designed. it's as simple as setting up a regular toolpath. As if that wasn't enough, you can do the same with stock sizes, materials, and machine settings. For more information, you should definitely read through the libraries section of your version's "Getting started guide" which is located in the documentation folder in your startup menu. (windows>start>all programs>mastercam X(version)>documentation) Hope that helps.
  10. "Machine cycles properties" in control def. mgr. Reference info available on Pg. 810 of the reference guide. Hope that helps.
  11. Jeff, True Dat! You could also copy codes for different program combinations into individual subprograms and use a variable set to call up the correct program via operator, or at worst case scenario, just create a program for each one. Simplest is best I say.
  12. We have 3 okuma horizontals that we beat to death and they've proven to be good workhorses. I can only imagine what a new one would cost, but even 10 years old and in production 24/7 these are pretty reliable machines. HTH
  13. We have Only operators, engineers, and managers. Operators perform setups and are strictly forbidden to change code. Engineers handle programming, fixturing, fist article setup, and inspection guidelines. Managers interact with track leaders (aka floor supervisors) who control what cuts where. It works, I suppose. regardless, it's insanely busy at all times.
  14. Martin, You Rock. Somehow I overlooked that.. must have thought it was for tapping. Thanks.
  15. Owners/post writers for okuma lathes..: I can't seem to find anywhere in my programming manual for a set drilling cycle that doesn't use my live tooling. is it standard for drilling cycles to be entered in longhand? I've got a crapload of simple drill and turn parts for some standoffs and right now I'm having to recalculate all drill depths and add a whole lot of code. cheers to anyone who can save me some time. Thanks,
  16. Anyone out there slot milling with a Niagara cutter slot saw? I'm slotting 1" deep into copper and wanted recommendations on speeds/feeds/ how to not jack all of my arbors. We also have arbors that use the keyway on the blade and those that don't. the Ones with keyways are too long on the clamping side of the blade.. so I've been trying out some arbors that are shorter, but don't have a keyway... I'm wearing through arbors pretty quickly though, so I thought I'd investigate my machining methods.. our saw blades are Ti coated HSS, 4X1/16X1, and have 36 Teeth
  17. The parts I'm machining are setup in one vise with a flat milled on one side with an 8° shoulder on one side with two thru holes. In the other side of the vise, the part is flipped with two different angles for the back side of the part. view MCX file for more info.. And thanks a lot fellas.
  18. Thanks Guys, So you 4th axis Gurus.. A general machining question.. how are you guys setting your zeros? I believe I am supposed to work from a Z zero as the center of the tombstone.. how do I measure that so I can offset my work origin in MC?
  19. First of all, I'm in X3, using a modified MPmaster post with an Okuma Horizontal. 4th axis is a tombstone (index to Angle). Post has worked great with a few changes but everything I've done so far has been for 3 axis work, so I've been programming in top wcs and The part I'm working on has several angled sides that I need to index to and cut. As I understand it (thanks Jim) I need to be in the front WCS, but it seems no matter how i set my planes I get the same result, B axis indexes only in 90° increments. My MD/CD 4th axis is set to index and the units are in .01° Is there anyone out there who can walk me through this rodeo? BIG thanks.Z-4162-A.Z2G
  20. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET 'bout damn time.
  21. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET 'bout damn time.
  22. Jeff, The control definition you submitted with the Z2g file you sent is the default control. Is this what you normally use with this machine? Drop me an e-mail containing your CNC machines directory and I'll have a look. Thanks,
  23. Is it the conversational or the G-code driven?
  24. Jeff, it depends on the C-hook. 3rd party Chooks tend to need updates, whereas mastercam C-hooks tend to overwrite with updated ones. You'll know really quick if they work or not. If you are having trouble with any in specific, please feel free to contact me and I'll help out in any way I can. Thanks

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