You can do this with inplot too. A nice, cheap g-code backplotter. It costs $150.00 for a single licence. Here is the link: I-Logic website

No problem, I have been waiting for someone else to mention this, I thought it was me.

I have sent this problem into Mastercam via my reseller. I am still using X2 Mr2 Sp1 for all my lathe programs specifically because of this problem. When switching between 2 sequences, the tool is forced to retract to the stock face plus the tool clearance dim. I was given a work-around which works sometimes but, I have not yet recieved a "fix" for this.

Most of the part I program now are from 15" to 40" dia and we almost always use the location face as the Z zero. It allows the operator to set the tools directly off the fixture or the jaw face. It also will let the operator look at the operation sheet and find the finish face dimensions in the program directly with no math needed. At my previous job, I worked on parts from .100" to 10.00" dia and we usually used the finish face of the part as z zero.

I don't know of one. I have tried to create a custom tool but, when I pick on the tool center, the Z dim always resets to zero after I select it. Now, I just give the operator a sketch of the tool with a ref dim to the center if the V to the closest edge. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Did your neighbor tell you this on April 1st?

My Kennametal chart recommends: MOD. Inconel 792 (not sure if this is W/Hi) 30-100 sfm for uncoated carbide 50-150 for coated 250-600 for advanced (ceramic/CBN) I don't see an AMS number for this mat'l

you could use "save some" and select all geometry. That should strip all toolpaths.

New, From Billy Mays!!!!! KABOOM

There are dims and charts in the Machinery's Handbook for American National Standard Lag Screws. 25th edition, Pages 1422,1423.

From Mastercam help files: quote: Defining and editing lathe tools Use the Lathe Tools dialog box to both create new tool definitions and edit existing ones. Tip: Double-click on a tool in the Toolpath parameters tab for any toolpath to edit it. If you are creating a new tool, choose the type of tool from the Type tab of the Lathe Tools dialog box. The tool type you choose here determines which options will be displayed on the other tabs. Use the Insert and Holder tabs to tell Mastercam about the geometry and settings for those tool elements. (The exact names of the tabs might be different depending on the tool type.) For standard tool types, you can select inserts and holders from manufacturers' catalogs. When you do this, the different settings are filled in for you. For custom tool types, you will tell Mastercam where the tool profile geometry is stored, how to locate the tool center, and other basic information. Use the Parameters tab to select default feeds, speeds, coolant options, and other cutting parameters. Choose Draw Tool to preview the tool in the graphics window. Choose Setup Tool to tell Mastercam how the tool is mounted in the lathe, including turret and spindle selection and tool orientation. Choose Save to Library to write the tool definition to a tool library, where it can be accessed by any Mastercam file. Unless you do this, the tool definition will be saved in the current part file only, as part of the active machine group. If you are editing a tool, the changes will not affect the tool definition in the tool library unless you save them to a library; only the local copy which is loaded in the part file will be changed. Also see: quote: Defining geometry for a custom lathe tool The Lathe Tools dialog box lets you define custom tools. These are tools that cannot be defined using any other tool types. To do so, you must be able to select geometry which represents the profile of the custom tool. This geometry can be located in either: a separate Mastercam file a separate level in the current Mastercam file. If the file is located on a level in the current Mastercam session, then the tool insert and holder geometry must be the only geometry on that level. The geometry must meet the following requirements. It must: consist of two closed boundaries: one for the insert and one for the holder consist of only lines and arcs The insert must be drawn in one color, and the holder must be drawn in a different color. Once you have the insert and holder geometry saved to a file or to a specified level, you can begin to create the custom tool using the Lathe Tools dialog box. Important: It is strongly recommended that you use the default insert and holder colors. The default colors are: 14 (insert up color), 55 (insert down color), and 116 (holder color). Select Tools, Configuration from the main menu to set the default colors. Notes: If you are defining a custom tool that is mounted at an angle in the turret, the tool geometry should represent the tool mounted at 0°. You can then define the tool angle in the Setup Tool dialog box (choose the Tool Setup button). When defining a custom boring bar, you should use orientation 4, not 8.

Bruce Just found this- My Kennametal chart shows: 310ss = AMS 5651 = Uncoated carbide (K313) 120-300 SFM Coated Carbide (KC730) 250-400 SFM Cermet (KT175) 600-1000 SFM 316ss = AMS 5648 = Uncoated carbide (K313) 120-300 SFM Coated Carbide (KC730)250-400 SFM Cermet (KT175) 600-1000 SFM

My machinability chart says: 310ss = AMS 5651 = 60 percent machinability 316ss = AMS 5648 = 40 percent machinability I don't have much experience with these mat'ls directly though.

I have a chart from Hitchiner Mfg. Link It says 416 is a free machining grade of 410 Not as tough as 410.

John, Glad to hear everything is ok up there! My house in VT was out until Sunday morning, and it is in the middle of nowhere. You must have gotten really hammered! (In more ways than one?)

I have tried "user defined" but it still won't let me change f+s per operation unless I have a different tool defined for each operation and that gets too messy. I just leave feed calc on "per tool" and I am VERY careful whenever I change the tool def. I don't use material libraries. Maybe I should but, I know what f+s to use on most of the mat'ls we get, and some aren't on any charts anyway. I have a small tool library mostly for special shape inserts and quick-change tooling. Other than that, I use the Kennametal lib. and modify the geom to suit.

Thank you Steve! +1000000000000000000000000000 I have wanted this for a long time now. My biggest problem with this is the need to use different feed/speed within the SAME tool. We cut assemblies sometimes inconel stators with riveted aluminum inner rings and plasma coated outers so, I cut 3 different materials with one tool. I don't want to define 3 lathe tools exactly the same except for feed/speeds. Please let me lock feeds/speeds in each operation.

Pro-engineer has sheetmetal mode for flat patterns also.

DMG makes the DMU 340P / DMC340U with travels up to (inches) 110.2-X, 13.4-Y, 63.-Z. (Dia's up to 133.9 inches.) HTH.

Shop-Vac?

My name isn't John, but I was with a professional once.... And she stole my shirt! So, I really could use a new one............

Inplot here as well. A great little program!

If I need two different feeds and/or speeds for one tool, I will create two tools, both with the same offset numbers but with two different speed/feed settings. Also,in machine group properties page, under tool settings and feed calculation, I use "from tool" so the seetings are controlled from the tool parameters. I wish there was a way to "lock" the speed and feed in each operation separately but, there isn't. HTH, Calvin

Right click in Operations Manager and select "Display Options"

quote: I wish there was an option next to the Roll cutter around corners that allowed you to define a corner rad while rolling around the corners. There is in lathe, in the finish lathe toolpath just under roll cutter around corners, there is "corner break" allows radius, chamfer or chamfer w/rads.