If you are still having issues after applying the "NoL", try going to the "Start" menu, "Mastercam X4", "Mastercam Launcher" on the other computers and setting the Lathe to "Inactive". I've had this problem with a floating seat of Solids.

If you are using X3, Rast_2_Vec is a free C-hook. In previous releases, it is an add-on.

David, When the computer shuts off power to the usb port, Mastercam will become disconnected. I don't know if this is the problem, but have seen it on laptops when the power save option is active or the hibernate mode is on.

David,

John, Go to Stock Set-up, Bounding box, select OK, check the XYZ values. Then go back into Bounding box, and look... The values are different. The values seem to cycle thru whatever is in the drop-down for that dialogue box. Just my $.02.

Using X3, I noticed that once Verify is launched, I loose my auto highlight and pre-select will display only after repainting the screen or slightly zooming or un-zooming. At first I would close Mastercam and re-open to fix the graphic issue, but noticed Ram-Saver will also fix the problem.

Most pipe threads have 1" taper in 16" length, so (1.3*.0625)=.08125, which would be correct if your "R" value is for taper in "Diameter". Divide by 2 and you get .040625, which is pretty close, if the "R" value needs to be in "Radius". This worked for a Mori, like g-code said, the manual is a good resource.

I think the "R" value = the length of the the thread plus the lead in amount (Total Z * 1/16), for external threadding it is a negative "R".

That looks like a good part for a lathe. You might try Scallop on the mill.

Check the box "Force Tool Change" in the second tool's toolpath parameters.

I like to teach "Planes by geometry" for the 2nd operation. Roll the part over so you can see the other side and select the "Planes" button on the Status Ribbon Bar. Then the select two lines at the lower left corner of your model, Selecting the line that represents the X+ direction first, then the Y+ line. The "Select View" dialogue box appears, and the X,Y, and Z directions should be correct. If not, cycle thu them so X+ is pionting right, Y+ is pointing toward the back of the machine, and Z+ is pointing toward the spindle. Select "OK", and the "New View" dialogue box appears. You can give the view a unique name, such as OP-2 (I also like adding a new toolpath group with the same name OP-2), change the origin, and select a work offset to be output. Check the box "Set as WCS" if you are manually flipping the part, leaving this unchecked should output A180.0 for a 4th axis.

If you have installed Mastercam, there are Documentation PDF's ready for you to explore. Go to the Windows Start button>All Programs>McamX>Documentation>Getting Started...

I've played around with it some... Do not change the scale of the screen size. I like to create a rectangle and record everything inside it with the rectangle "fit to screen". Also, be sure to unlock any buttons on the ribbon bar before you exit a function.

Being able to draw in Mastercam is one of it's strengths... Some ppl think it is a waste of tim for a programmer to be drawing, when he has paid good money for an enngineer/draftsman. Don't get discouraged.... If you can't draw it, you will likely have trouble putting a toolpath on it...

The HST is the new format for future toolpaths. If you look at the "peel mill" toolpath, you will see that there is room for more 2D toolpath types. You will be able to copy any toolpath and modify the type without having to bail out... Pretty cool. I'm sure most Mastercam training facilities would introduce this, but you might check with them first. Oh, the Surface High Speed Toolpath is for 3D surfaces.

Is Xform, Offset Contour what you are looking for?

Only 2 reasons I can think of... 1) Don't want to. 2) Don't know how.

Try going into the WCS View Manager and moving the origin instead of the part.

Did you try checking the box in the lead in/out for "plunge after first move" and "retract before last move"?

http://www.mastercam.com/Support/Posts/Default.aspx

Just a thought, If the filter is collecting coolant, wouldn't clean coolant be best to clean it? I know it works well for wiping down the inside of the machine.

Todd, Sorry, but John Paris is on vacation and I saw this with 0 replies... Logic tells me that if you try something and it dosen't work, try it again, and it still won't work. I recommend XP SP2, or wait until Vista SP1. Maybe even Mastercam X3, but... Exploring Vista is way too adventurous and risky to bet the farm on.

I've seen 'puters act differently with the exact same installation. If it's just 2D contouring, you can just look at the NC file and tell if it's right, but 3D surfacing is where the heavy prices are paid if what you see in verify is different than what you see on the part... Mike DeButts is your local Tech. Support Hero. P.S. I'm with MLC Cad Systems, so this is part of the job... If I had a shop, and some of these guys working for me that frequent this forum instead of hammering out code, I'd have a talk with them on the carpet. But, I know this forum is very informative, so keep up the good work guys!

Tommy Dorgan at Standard Router may have a resource...Tommy, where u at?

I haven't heard of this one before... But I know that sometimes we have things "pre-selected" and the delete key will disappear them. I compare driving Mastercam around with pre-selected entities to carrying a weapon with one in the chamber and the hammer cocked.