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

The thing that bothers me isn't hard work, it's becoming "the invisible man" since I don't complain, I'm always here and I don't ask for a raise constantly. I prefer to let my work speak for itself in hopes that someone will take notice and offer the increase. But instead, the attitude is, "give it to Jim, he doens't complain and he'll get it done". They know that if some of the "more seasoned" guys get a tough job, they whine and moan, take forever and may end up scrapping it in the end anyway.

I have just the opposite situation, I program and operate our CNC machine. During long run times, I program the next job(s), deburr my parts, rough cut stock for my next job if needed, clean the machine and my area, order tooling and set stuff up for the next job. When the boss is gone, I get to be the boss on top of all my other responsibilities. I try as hard as possible to keep my machine running the whole time during my shift, which means I have to make simple yet effective fixtures and plan ahead, not to mention hustle when the thing shuts off. I also have to do routine maintenance and repairs myself. For my attention to detail and quality, and my desire to constantly improve, I get paid the same as the manual machinists in our shop, including the slackers that take umpteen smoke breaks a day and the guy who whines like an old lady anytime he gets a job he doesn't like, and consequently under-produces on purpose. But what keeps me going is the dream of seeing the look on my bosses face when I find another job and he realizes no real programmer/operaters will work there.

quote: CRFJim If your company thinks that upgrading to X is BLOWING money, then I'd be asking if they see a future. I can see the writing on the wall already. They are currently in bankruptcy, and although they are supposedly trying hard to turn things around, I've been searching for a job for a while. It sucks, too, because I love what I do, I'm happy with what I make and I can ignore all the politics. It figures someone would screw it up...

My company wouldn't blow the $1500 needed to upgrade to X, so yeah, I still use 9.1

Is the machine recognizing the rotary? I'm no wizard, but when I use the rotary, I just shut off the machine, install and hook up the rotary, then power the machine back up, but don't hit "Power Up/Restart". Then I enable the parameters page for my rotary, hit the "Power Up/Restart" button to zero all my axis and I'm ready. It sounds like either your A-Axis cable isn't in all the way, or you need to change your parameters to know what rotary your using.

Thank You!

Dragracer1951, sorry to hear about the machine gremlins, but I just had to say how much I like your bike! Ever make it to Northern Ca? Where do you run it primarily? Do you ride it, tune it, or both? Very, very nice!

A few months ago I made a spiral cut in a roll, thanks to some big-time help from you guys. I'll be making a couple more soon and I have a question. The cut is on an approx 8" dia roll, about 33" in length. I don't have access to the file (I'm at home) but I think it made something like 10 revolutions, starting at A0. By the time it finished the cut, it was at A3600 (obviously) and then picked up to a Z clearance, made a rapid move back to the right side of the roll and held the tool above the roll while I waited for what seemed like forever for the rotary to index itself back to A0. Isn't there some way to eliminate the rotary fomr having to "unwind" 10 full revolutions? BTW, I'm using V9.1 on a Haas VF6 with (I think) a Haas HRT310 rotary. Thanks! Jim

Thanks, guys. I assumed (hoped) that's the way it was. I've always been told I pick things up quicker than most, but I still have my doubts sometimes. I also know what you mean about "attitude changes" from business to business. I've changed jobs enough to know the old, "when in Rome, do as the Romans" cliche is pretty true most of the time. I also know the quickest way to alienate new co-workers (and management) is to imply that the last place you worked had smarter bosses, better machines, cleaner floors, longer breaks, better selection at the snack machines, etc. I also figure there's a reason God gave me two ears and only one mouth, and that's to listen twice as often as I talk. Anyway, thank you once again! Jim

I'm applying for a job elsewhere and one of the questions deals with my familiarity with their machines. They use Mazak, Fadal, etc while my only experience is with Haas machines. I learned on a VF-0 at school and presently run a VF-6 at my current job. How hard is it to learn other machines? I assume that regardless of machine brand or what they call the functions, it still needs to have the same things, right? Or am I letting my inexperience show by even thinking that? I don't want to overstate my ability, but at the same time I don't want to give my prospective employer the idea I'm not capable of learning something new, after all that's the whole idea of the new job is trying to learn new skills and become better at what I love doing. What's the best way to make that statement to a new employer? Jim