Thanks for the feedback. Heard a lot of horror stories on the Haas machines though. Heard they're good as a light duty machine, but won't handle the tougher materials. I am looking for affordable seeing as this is for a start-up, but I can't afford down time even more. Thanks again, keep it coming.

I'm looking to purchase a vmc( approx. 20 x 40 x 20 ) and an 8" chuck turning center. Got some good prices on Bridgeport Hardinge Machines, but I don't know anyone with these. Need some unbiased feedback( not a machine tool salesperson ). Reliable, holds close tolerances, customer support, etc.? Needed for a job shop. I work with a wide range of materials from alum. to exotics. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all, Jim

Ron Teh, I firgured out what to change. Worked great. Kudos to both you guys. Thanks a bunch, Jim

P.S. Please remember - me a post dummy.

HTH, Please explain further. My code is the same as you put up here. What exactly do I need to change to get rid of the decimal points after the B values? Steve, Thanks. I changed my code to what you showed me and the rotation did not exceed 360 in my test program. Still need to get rid of the decimal points though. I'm told it will cause an alarm at the control. Thanks guys, Jim Cibak

Thanks but not sure exactly what or how to change the code. I will experiment a little and see what I get. I have very very little experience messing with posts. Been using MC since ver. 5 but only for vmc's and never had a problem with our post. All new to the Horizontals though. Another month or 2 I'll be askin questions on VTL's, so I won't be goin away anytime soon. Thanks again and I'll let you know how I make out.

The control( Fanuc Sigma 16 or 18 ?, Brand New ) on the HMC we're using will not understand a decimal point as far as the rotation angle goes( as in B90.) On this machine the table is strictly an indexer. I am using MPFAN post altered somewhat, but not the stuff dealing with table indexing. I need the post to post out the B value without decimal points ( ex. B90, B110, B180, B210, etc. ). Any help with the post would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there anyway I can get it to always post The B value as a postive value to never exceed B359? For example, if I was at B270 and rotated 90 degrees Pos. it would go back to B0 in the G code. Thanks again

Thanks for the macro guys.

Thanks Thad and everyone. They tell me they are getting people in to set up the posts exactly how they want them, so i'll make sure they setup the g87 for us also. Thanks again everyone. I'll keep in touch. Maybe i can give back in the future.

Looks like this place does alot of it( big cases and the base mount holes are all done this way). They just switched to mastercam from smartcam and are trying to switch all past/present/future work over to mastercam.

Thanks for the info. I do believe the machine has a G87 setup, but the problem is this place wants the mc9 file to be the endall( posts exactly right - no manual edits ). They don,t want to save any code from the machine, just post direct from mc9 each time. Don't ask... it's driving me nutty. I seeeeeeeeee nothing, I knoooooow nothing.

I'm new to this co. and i'm not sure what control it even has. Machine is brand new( 2 weeks),I know it's Fanuc, but not what model. I'll find out. But even if it does have this canned cycle, how do i setup custom drill cycles? I'm not to familiar messing with posts. I got it to post out ok by just typing in code in back to back manual entries, but theres got to be an easier way, I hope.

I wish I could, but way to big for a bridgeport. Done on a 1000mm hmc. maybe i'll talk them into buying one of the type that spins out. Could i use a 3d toolpath and start the spindle up somehow once i'm to depth and back on center, then lock again to get back out?

We have broached many different size hexes in our VMC's. What I've found works best for us is to mill out the profile of the hex to about .001 to .002 bigger than the broache with the smallest end mill possible to minimize stock in the corners. The spindle stays locked and the broache has to be indicated to match the milled profile. then broache it to within .02-04 to the bottom of the hole. Go back in and millout the shavings and hit it with the broache 1 more time. a little time consuming, but works great. We've done up to 3/4 hex this way. Use cool tool or equiv. for lube. HSS or carbide broache with concave face and .01 per inch draft on the sides. Feed in and out with the broache at about 20-30 IPM.

No, This is basically like an i.d. grooving tool from a lathe.