In X2 how do I change the generic holder dimensions for use in Backplot and Verify? In 9 and X I was able to edit the C:mcamxmilltoolsHOLDER.MCX file. In X2 it doesn't change anything. Where is it reading the holder definition and can it be changed? Thanks for your help!

Yes, that's what I was trying to do. Like I said earliier though, I can't re-create the problem using a simple example. This is what I was seeing in a 3D contour with look-ahead off. For this I broke up the lines at the entry/exit to get it to work and moved on. I've got 40 or so files to convert from v8/v9 to X2 and so far haven't seen the same problem yet. Thanks for your help.

Troy, Using a 3/16 cutter. I drew up a simple example and I can't re-create what I'm seeing with the 3D contour . It doesn't gouge the inside corner here either. Anyway, this is what I'm trying to do. I don't think it can be done with a closed or overlapping contour though. It has to be open unless I'm missing something??

Roll-around is set to sharp, look-ahead off and cutter comp set to computer just like you have. Try these settings with a 90deg inside corner...that's where I get a gouge.

OK, partially fixed. For my simple example, unchecking "infinite look ahead" works. But for a path with inside corners, it makes a "triangle" and gouges the part. If I leave look-ahead checked, extend the path in lead in/out like John suggested and set "roll cutter around corners" to none it works. But then I don't have smooth tool movement around the outside corners. I have a file in V9 (with inside corners) that I'm trying to duplicate in X2. It's a 3D contour with look-ahead and roll-cutter on, and it works. Don't know how, but it does. Any ideas?

Thanks for the quick replies, unchecking "infinite look ahead" did the trick! I've had that checked since V8 . BTW one bonk-on-the head would have been sufficient Hardmill

With a 2D contour chain that has crossing lines, how do you make the cutter follow the complete chain, even through the intersection? It works fine with compensation off, but with compensation set to computer, the cutter stops at the intersection. Is there a setting I can change to correct this? The first image shows with cutter comp on. The 2nd is off. Thanks for your help!

Thanks, that did the trick (after re-starting the computer )

OK, not entirely fixed yet. When stepping through backplot, using the arrow or S key, it takes a step back after each forward step. The back step may be clear back to the beginning of the path or in the middle of the path depending on where I start to step. Any suggestions?

Got it fixed. After searching here a little more I changed the Active Profile to "Solidworks" in the display settings. So far so good! Backplotting with plain tool (wireframe), no holder. Driver version 8.1.7.6 dated 3/12/2006.

Thanks Jay, That got rid of the multiple tools being displayed, but it still crashes before finishing backplot.

Just got a new workstation up and running with an nVidia Quadro FX3450. Driver version 6.14.10.8176. When backplotting in X, it leaves a tool at every step. There may be 50 to 100 tools left after backplotting. With the file I'm currently working on, Mastercam crashes before finishing backplot. Is this a graphics or Mastercam issue? Thanks for your help

Hi Eric We're coming up on 5yrs with our router. It's a great machine and has done just about everything we've needed. It's dedicated to trimming production parts and we've just gone to a 2nd shift with some rumblings of adding another Quintax. I still get on the machine to setup and prove out new trim programs, cut aluminum molds, foam patterns and other special projects. Mostly 'nights and weekends' work. At first startup, I had a steep learning curve tackling Mastercam, post processors and a 5-axis machine all at once, but things are running smooth now. I see you still get to use Mastercam. What type of machines are you running? Do you still have a Quintax?

quote: I went back to the Drafting (stick) Font because that gives you the Drafting Options to rotate and mirror the text.

I found a coolant button when editing a contour or pocket toolpath, but apparently it's not an option when editing curve5ax toolpaths. Not sure how to completely disable coolant in the machine def.

Still can't find where I have coolant turned on. Don't see a coolant button on the Edit Point Parameters page either.

Flood, Mist and Thru-tool are all set to Off under the Coolant option on the Toolpath Parameters page. Don't see anything about coolant in the toolpath editor. Where is this option? Using X MR2. I'll try running debug tomorrow.

Using the toolpath editor on a curve5ax toolpath to change the feed rate. After posting it gives an M8 at the beginning and an M9 at the start of the next operation. It looks like this is coolant on and off. I've edited 3 other similar paths the same way, but this one still gives M8 and M9 even after regenerating and trying again. There is no canned text and in the coolant box everything is checked to off. I'm using a custom post we've had for five years for a Quintax router and never had it post an M8 or M9 until now. Is this a bug? Anyone else seen this? ; 100059 LEFT EDGE N3200 X-24.4811 Y-15.7489 Z8.2862 B-90. N3210 X-20.9811 N3220 G1 X-20.4811 F50. M8 N3230 Y-14.7533 Z8.1924 . . N3730 G0 X-23.0313 N3740 X-26.7813 ; 100059 RIGHT EDGE N3750 M9 N3760 X26.7813 Y2.7511 Z2.6875 B90. N3770 X23.2813

Depends on machine type, how rigid the setup, tool stickout, etc. For roughing on our router with a 3/4 endmill I use 400ipm and 15000rpm with .375DOC as a starting point. HTH

Thanks for all the input. We have some proven programs for our router done in Mill 8.1.1 and 9.1 also, that occasionally need revised...haven't got these all converted to X yet. Any problems running v8 or v9 on newer systems?

Have a new system spec'd out for Mastercam and Solidworks. Am I on the right track? Any suggestions appreciated. Dell Precision 690: * Dual Core Intel Xeon Processor 5060 3.20 GHz 2x2MB L2, 1066 * 2GB DDR2 SDRAM FBD Memory, 667MHz, ECC (2 dimms) * nVidia Quadro FX 3450 256MB PCIe x16, Dual DVI or Dual VGA or DVI +VGA * 80 GB SATA, 10K RPM Hard drive with 16MB cache. * Windows XP Pro

Yep, that's the same place. V9 backplot times were very close to actual for me and worked well for quoting jobs. That's why I don't understand it not working in X. So far in X I've cut mostly large patterns, anywhere from 4 to 14 hrs run time where toolchange is such a small percentage, it doesn't matter. But try estimating a 3min trim program with three 30sec tool changes (not factored in) and backplot time is way off. If anyone knows how to set this up let me know. I'll keep looking.

How do you get X to figure in tool change times? My backplot cycle times in X MR2 are too low. In Machine Definition Manager I put in a tool change time, but that doesn't make any difference. Also have a constant in my post set for toolchange time. Any ideas? What am I missing? Thanks for your help!

I found out what's going on now. The angled, engraving surface was an existing surface, not one I machined, so I had to sneak up on it to make sure the letters didn't get too deep or fade away. That is why I ended up with a positive 'depth' value, which is fine if I would have increased the 'top of stock' value by the same amount. Simple stuff, but throw in some angled tool planes, ramping and changing the origin point at the last minute, it gets a little confusing. Learned something new today, so the next engraving will go much quicker. BTW the engraving looks great and I didn't even break one of those little baby cutters! 20000rpm at 5 to 10ipm is what worked, maybe a little slow, but no mold repairs or hand finishing needed. Thanks for your help!

Thanks, I got it done. My first cut had a positive 'Depth' and this did some strange things. I put in a negative depth and increased my Z origin in the program to get it to cut where I wanted. I'll look at this closer tomorrow when I have time, to see why it didn't like a positive depth.