Thanks guys, I was hoping I could make axis sub work. As for the guy I used to work with, he probably could've solved it ASAP. Even if I did have to withstand some poop-flinging

Might help if I attach the file. DIE SLOT.MCX-7

Here's the part. The part got finished before I got it with the exception of the slot around the outside of the "D" shape. My center of rotation is the hole which will be my X axis. Thanks again!

Thanks, how do I show you what I need? I think you were the one who helped me back then (maybe 10 years ago?) so hopefully I can remember it this time.

I'm making a simple, horseshoe shaped part with a simple slot in the bottom and can't seem to get my toolpath to run where I need it. Years ago I did a similar part and used an axis substitution, but now can't remember how. My toolpath runs 90 degrees about the center of rotation from my selected geometry. Any advice? Thanks!

Yeah, I borrowed the demo disc and have been using it at home to get familiar with the controls, and I am getting better. The only problem with it is that you can't save anything, so I've been limiting my practice drawings to simple stuff I can do without interuption. Or is it "eruption"? Either way, I try to spend a little time on it daily to keep making baby steps of improvement. Once I get the hang of it, I'll hit the boss up to spring for the lastest version. The shop foreman acts like the cost is coming out of his paycheck, but my supervisor (his boss) is all for keeping up with technology. He's a great guy, very level-headed and a good listener. He'll probably get fired soon. Anyway, I really appreciate everyone's input, it has absolutely helped me adjust my attitude from reluctance to enthusiastic. Thanks! Jim

I agree 100% with you, and I want to learn as much as I can, both to keep myself current and to do my job better. Without sounding too stuck on myself, I have kept a "good enough is NOT good enough" attitude with all my work. I am always trying to be faster, more accurate and easier on tooling than I was yesterday. Since my boss is absolutely clueless on any CNC matters, I have had to struggle to get them to even consider the demo version of X, and now I have to show them it's better to get them to pony up and make the switch. Deep down inside, I know I WANT X, but I also know that I want to be as good at X as I am at V9, which may or may not be saying a whole lot! But I'll make it and I know I'll be a better programmer/machinist for the switch. I mean, I'm sure there were lots of P51 pilots who thought jet fighters were waste of time as well. And history has shown who was right there...

As far as what parts I cut and type of machine, I primarily cut simple, 2D parts in steel on a Haas VF6. Nearly all my parts are one-off and speed and accuracy are equally important. As far as the level of MasterCam X I have, I'll assume it's not X2, since the textbook and disc both are labeled simply MasterCam X. The Book is called "Learning MasterCam X 2D, Step by Step" and is written by James Valentino and Joseph Goldenberg. One of my gripes is that the viewing screen is reduced since all the controls clutter half the screen. I only have a 15.5 (viewable) CRT screen as it is and to have half that covered with control functions is maddening. Not only that, but what's wrong with actual WORDS to decribe the functions? I learned to read for a reason, now I have to deciper hyroglyphics as well? I always laugh at the registers at fast-food resuraunts, the people who work there are so dumb they need pictures of the food printed right in the keys because learning the price of the products is above their cranial capacity, and now that's the exact mentality I have to use to be succesful at X? Again, please don't take my whining too seriously, it's just frustration I suppose and I'll post a full apology if and when I become familiar with it, but for now it just seems pointless.

LOL! If they only knew that you were the one who bails me out of all my programming troubles NOW, they'd bounce me out the door and be calling you anyway! Seriously, thanks for the patience and good advice, both in the past and the future. I read lots of everyone's posts here and really respect the group of guys who post on this forum.

Thanks cncjb, I have no doubt that technology progresses and I really do need to stay current in order to keep from becoming an obsolete employee. I'm working with my boss to make room in my schedule to allow me to take a "real" class to better learn Mastercam X. But right now, all I see in X is change for change's sake. I guess it's just fustration on my part talking now, the parts I can program in V9 in ten minutes are taking upwards of an hour in X. My current employer would love to keep current, but I need to take something to them that proves X is better and can save money, not just that "everyone else is doing it". But I'll stick it out, take a class and learn it, but it'd be a lot easier to do if I knew there was a better reason than "(fill in the blank) says it's better".

How did you know I had red hair?

I finally talked my supervisor into trying Mastercam X to see if we (I) could benefit from the improvements. He bought a demo version and text book and I've been fooling with it in my spare time this past week. I know fully well I haven't even scratched the surface of it, but I honestly don't see even one advantage. It seems (to me) to just be different, not better. Maybe it's because I'm used to V9 but when I started in school we used V7 and with every successive version, I could see improvements, at least until now. It appears to have all the same functions, but they're just presented in an AutoCad-type format. Again, I'm no genius, but I must be missing something because I've read some very smart programmers rave about MastercamX, and maybe with time, I'll find the advantages, but right now I'm not seeing it. Sooooo, what do you guys feel is the advatage of X? Thank You!

Wow, I guess I've got it better than I thought! We only have one machine, a VF-6, I program and operate it. But since we're a repair shop, I also sometimes do manual work, balancing and fill in when the boss is gone. Jack of all trades, master of none.

Thanks,John I'm at home now and I don't have MC here, but I'll slap it on a disc and have a look Monday at work. Thank you!, Jim

I had some spare time today and was trying to make lettering on a cylinder. I thought I knew how to do it, but try as I might, I couldn't get the lettering to wrap around the cylinder. I'm using 9.1 BTW. Thanks!, Jim