I recreated the tool and it works fine. Must've been something wrong with the tool. Thanks if anybody started looking at this.

I am having a problem creating a Face Grooving Tool Path in MCX3. I have done this many times before, but for some reason this one is giving me a headache. The face groove requires using a square insert. I chain the geo, go thru the parameters (it is set to face 0 Deg), and the toopath is not contained inside of the geometry. It also takes 17 passes (using a .062 wd insert for a .14 wd groove). If I change the tool to a full radius insert, then it stays contained, and only takes a few passes. I loaded the file onto the FTP (T_SIMMERMON_FACE_GROOVE.mcx) If anyone has any ideas or has run into this before, I sure could use your help. Thanks!

We use Sumitomo for turning, Kennametal for grooving (Top Notch Style) and Iscar for Milling (indexable only). I have been starting to use Tool-Flo for the Top Notch grooving inserts, because the price is a bit better and tool life is rarely an issue for us.

You would have to make a custom tool for that. Unless you are able to open up their tool file and shift it.

Z0 = Finished Face for us as well. If we are flipping the part within the program, we set G54 for side one and G55 for side 2. G55 would also be set at the finished face for that side as well.

Thanks! I knew it would be easy!

I am having trouble trying to figure out what I should turn the OD to for a 1/2-14 NPT taper thread. I know the pipe size is .840 and the taper angle is 1.783333 deg, but at the end of the piece what should the diameter be? I can find all the pitch diameter info, but none of the major OD info that I need to turn it too. It's probably really simple, but it's killing me! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Maybe consider eliminating the drill all together and use the end mill to Helical interpolate to rough mill, then use the same cutter to finish.

It happened to me also. The easiest way to set up a new machine definition is to take an existing one and modify. Grab one of the generic 3 axis VMC Machine definitions and tweak it to match your machine. The most important thing is to change the control definition and post processor to the ones from your old definition.

Tony, Sorry I didn't respond earlier, I just got back from Boulder Junction, WI. I drive right by your place a couple of times a week. Small world! Send me your email address so I can keep it in my contacts.

Thanks for all your help guys. GCode - The file still wouldn't work. It can't locate the Post even though other files using the same post work fine. Toolman - I knew i read somewhere that this is a Level 2 issue. I'm sure most of the Beta Testers are Level 3 users, so a few more Level 2 issues get through. There is a lot of issues with X3 (NC Rename, tool numbering not working correctly to name a few), but being a Level 2 user I love the new 2D high speed toolpaths. X3 is a great product with a few bugs, but right now I don't have time to find ways around the new bugs so back to X2. We're staying on maintenance so I will wait for the day! Until then I will send in my files and issues to [email protected]. Thanks for all your help guys, but for the time being I will head back to X2.

I did a fresh install of X3 (no migration) and it is side by side. I reopened the file and selected a MD that came with the install. No luck. I opened up another file and it worked fine. Might be a corrupt file, I will delete and start over.

gms1, What you described is what I considered the normal way. Unfortunately it hasn't worked for others as well in X3. I did a side by side but I did not migrate anything from X2.

Robh - I must've done this a hundred times. I am running a side by side with X2. gcode - I've changed the NC name multiple times (using Edit common paramaters since the normal way doesn't work yet in X3) I deleted the config file and that didn't help either. I am thinking of doing a new install of X3. What do you think? I can't believe that it worked fine yesterday and today it takes a $hit. Not that I am a complainer but I have run into quite a few issues with X3, when is the first Service pack coming out?

OK gurus, I've downloaded a Z2G file to the FTP under the X3 folder. This is the second op of this part. When posting this file I am getting this quote: 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <0> - Report created. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Initialize posting log file 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Using MP run version 11.00 and post components version 10.00 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Initiate opening the post processor file(s). 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Post processor file name: C:MCAMX3MILLPOSTSMPHAAS-NOROT-TULA.PST 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - The post processor file has been successfully opened. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Post version information (input): 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - UPDATEPOST Version 10. was used to modify this file. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - The file was modified by this product on 23 Aug 05 14:19:21 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - The post was written to run with Mastercam Version 10. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - The post product type is Mill. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Initialization of pre-defined post variables, strings, postblocks was successful. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Search for defined post variables, strings, postblocks was successful. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - Processing the toolpath file failed! 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - The NC output file has failed to open. 01 Oct 2008 07:43:48 AM - <2> - The application has been aborted! OP 1 of this part was created in X3 with the same MD and post without issue. I tried Fastechs post parameter update utility to see if that was the issue and I go the same results. Of course this happens the day before I'm supposed to leave on a long weekend fishing trip and I have about 8 programs to write to keep everyone busy. If anyone could take a look at this, I'd appreciate it.

Colin, Saving the state after I closed the box seemed to do the trick. Thanks

I am having a problem getting rid of this toolbar. Every time I start a new file it pops up in the middle of the screen. I closed it, but then it reappears every time I copy an operation or go in and modify something in the machine properties. I tried docking it up with the rest of my tool bars, but it doesn't stay. Any one else having this problem? Thanks,

Welcome to the forum! On the thread cut parameters page, in the top right corner is a button for a multi start. Click that and enter your parameters for the mutli start.

Bruce, I emailed you a macro I received from Jeff on this forum that might helpp you programming. I've got nothing for the standards though.

Flycut, That post you linked to is exactly what I needed for a new machine we got in. I like to run my suprograms internally within the main program (M97 Call w/ N numbers). This post uses M98 and gives the subprogram a program number (O....). Could someone pint me in the right direction on how to post out internally. Thanks!

I never understood this either. From my experience ordering inserts, there has never been a seperate insert for different pitches, only for different thread styles. Maybe it was like this at one time and that's why CNC did it this way.

I never heard of a fully threaded dowel, but why not by threaded rod and cut down to size. Unless I am thinking of it completely wrong!

What size Rims are you talking about? Your only limitation would be the size of the rim that you can cut on a VF3. We have an older VF4 that only has 18" of travel on the Y axis.

We turn this stuff all the time. Our customer does the HT, but they only leave .005 - .010 stock per side for finish grinding. This is on shafts that are 1.25" dia x up to 18" lg. We turn at 600 SFM, .012 IPR on roughing. From what I understand it is a modified version of 4140. Check with your HT as well to make sure he has done this stuff before. I've found in the past that if the HT process isn't correct, no matter what you have, it'll move all over the place.

Cool! Thanks Doug