What SFM should I run (for starters) with a .25" varimill cutting annealed A2 tool steel? The tool is held in an ER32 collet and it is run dry. Thanks, Bob [ 12-08-2007, 07:36 PM: Message edited by: Bullet Bob ]

What are the chances that this will catch fire while machining? It sounds like most shops will not touch the stuff. Is it really that hazardous? Will it suddenly just burst into flames while machining? Thanks, Bob

Is a 5 axis post included with those that come with MasterCAM? If so I will have a go at that first. Thanks, Bob

I recently ordered a trunnion table (Haas TR160X) for my mill (Haas VF2-SS) so now I need to get the post in the works. It seems to me that there are several of these combinations out there so a good post should not be that difficult to find. Who should I look to for this post and what should I expect to pay? I have been in touch with my reseller and he said it was much more involved to do a 5 axis post but like I said, this machine combo should be pretty common. What would make this more involved? Thanks, Bob 5 axis newbie

I just put in an order for a trunnion table and now I need to get on the learning curve so I have an idea of what to do when it arrives. What is the best method for learning the basics of 5 axis programming? Thanks, Bob

Initially I bought ProE and Pro manufacturing to have parametric CAD and CAM but it was a mistake. The support from PTC is nonexistent and the learning curve is very steep (I was already fluent in ProE, which is a great design tool). I never machined ONE part because they didn't include a post with the purchase and I didn't have the know-how to develop one myself. I bought MasterCAM shortly thereafter and have nothing but good things to say. Maybe you should direct your bosses to this thread.

I did it in my Haas VF2 using an ER collet. I needed a profile in some delrin pieces so I clamped a HSS lathe tool in my vise, offset accordingly, and programmed 2 axis (X and Z) plunging toolpaths with the part in the spindle. It really worked well and I would do it again. I did several proof runs with the Z offset set up several inches so there wouldn't be any surprises. Bob

I have a family of parts I would like to machine using a main program that calls sub programs based on macro variable inputs. There will be several sub programs and each is fairly large because of surfacing operations. I am guessing that the total size of the program set will be greater than 20Mb, which is larger than the machine's memory will allow. Is it possible to run programs that call sub programs using DNC? If not, how is this generally handled? My machine is a Haas VF2. Thanks, Bob

Here is the code in question. ( .375 90 DEG. CSINK TOOL - 12 DIA. OFF. - 12 LEN. - 12 DIA. - .375 ) N900 T12 M6 N910 G0 G90 G54 X.215 Y-.245 S3000 M3 N920 G43 H12 Z.03 T5 N930 M8 N940 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N950 X1.465 Y-.645 N960 G80 N970 X2.145 Y-.245 N980 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N990 X3.395 Y-.645 N1000 G80 N1010 X4.075 Y-.245 N1020 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N1030 X5.325 Y-.645 N1040 G80 N1050 X6.005 Y-.245 N1060 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N1070 X7.255 Y-.645 N1080 G80 N1090 X7.935 Y-.245 N1100 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N1110 X9.185 Y-.645 N1120 G80 N1130 X9.865 Y-.245 N1140 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N1150 X11.115 Y-.645 N1160 G80 N1170 X.215 Y-1.915 N1180 G99 G81 Z-.062 R.03 F15. N1190 X1.465 Y-2.315 N1200 G80 Thanks, Bob

It appears that my mill is not fully retracting during drilling cycles before heading to the next hole location. It looks like it nicks the side of the hole just slightly as it retracts out. Is there a setting to specify a full retract before rapid in X or Y? Thanks, Bob

I would consider a CAD/CAM environment to be one of the more demanding settings for computers and it is an area where one can realize a significant savings by assembling their own system. I have done this with my last two computers (with help from friends) and I will never again buy an off the shelf unit, unless it is for my kids. When I regenerated the file the time was ~6:40 on the first run and I had half a dozen programs open (including ProE) because I was in the middle of work). I saved about $1k by building this myself. Good stuff :-) Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66 2 gig ram Windows XP Nvidia 1500

6 min 40 sec Home made (assembled) computer Intel Duo Core 2.66 Windows XP Pro 2 Gb ram I guess the new computer was well worth it :-)

Will do. Thanks for the info. Bob

I need to track down some magnesium plate for a customer. Anyone know of a good source in the US? Thanks, Bob [ 05-21-2007, 03:25 PM: Message edited by: Bullet Bob ]

I believe it has something to do with the 'keep tool down' selection because when that is not checked it hasn't been an issue. Even with that selected it does NOT keep the tool down. It lifts it and rapids to strange locations and back again :-) Bob

When I run pocketing toolpaths there is some wierd stuff going on between the roughing and finishing passes. When the tool lifts after the roughing pass it rapids off into BFE, then comes right back (at rapid), feeds down, and machines the finishing pass. Anyone else run accross this? It is a little unnerving to have my raching rapiding around to strange locations when I haven't told it to do so. This does show up in the verify simulation as well and it has happened on several occasions. Thanks, Bob

John, The two line method is the only way I have ever done it. Also, I have noticed that since installing X2MR1 sp1 it will occasionally NOT present the correct origin orientation I am looking for (when clicking through the combinations). Have you run accross this issue yet? Thanks, Bob

I use wireframe geometry and it is always an entire group that goes bad. It appears to have an effect on the previous origin that was in use because the verify is off in left field (upside down, etc...). Using the edit parameters for the dirty group and re-setting the origin also does not help. The solution that usually works is to delete the corrupted origin, recreate it, and set the dirty operation group to it. It is a real PITA and it usually happens when I really need to get work out the door.

Also, when I move on to another setup (new origin) I always create a new toolpath group to keep those ops together.

I create new origins and I do so by going into the view manager, selecting 'geometry', then clicking on two lines that correspond to the corner I wish to use. I then click through the various orientations until I find the appropriate one. 90% of the time all is well, but on occasion several of my previous operations show that they need to be regenerated because they have somehow changed. It is very frustrating.

Occasionally when I create a new coordinate system to machine a second or third setup MasterCAM screws up several of the previous toolpath operations. Is this a known bug or am I doing something wrong? Thanks, Bob

I installed SP1 and I seem to have lost all of my toolpath default parameters (lead in/lead out, depth cuts, coolant, etc...). Where could I find this file so I get these back? It is very frustrating that every time I install an upgrade or service pack I lose little things like this. It is a real headache to have to track all this stuff down to get things working correctly again. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Bob

I am machining a scallop on a part that follows a 2D spline and it is leaving a funny mark toward the end of it. I have no idea why it is doing this but it shows up when I verify in Mastercam and on the machine it shows up as a slight pause. I have the linearization set to .0001" and filters are off. The geometry was brought in from ProE as an Iges and I know the model is good (verified with curvature analysis, etc...). Any ideas why this might be happening? Thanks, bob

I have used both ProE and Solidworks extensively and they both have their strong points. The ultimate would be taking the best from both, like ProEworks :-) My impression is that Solidworks is much easier to use and faster to learn and it will do 95% of what is out there. Proe will do virtually everything short of tying your shoes, though is isn't always the easiest to accomplish. A quick example is modeling a tapered, closed end compression spring with a variable pitch. Also is shines in layouts, assembly programming, and top down design (skeleton modeling etc...). My work is primarily engineering so I frequently work with large assemblies and they are a little more bulletproof in ProE. 5 years ago I would have said Solidworks was better than ProE bacuase of ease of use issues but Wildfire was a quantum leap for ProE in that area. ProE has that last 5% that Solidworks is missing. The thing I like about SW though is that they are working their tails off to improvre their product, and their customer service HAS to be better than ProE, which is virtually nonexistent. When the decision came for me to buy my own license (starting up shop 2 years ago) I bought ProE. Bob

Speaking of CAD... Anyone here use Pro Engineer? It is definitly a better apple than Solidworks, but it does have a steeper learning curve. My $.02