Does antone have an example of a post which has "pdrlcst" set up for multiple custom drill cycles (Drill Cycles 8-20). I'm having a little problem setting mine up.

I've also experienced this problem in the past, especially when cutting aluminum. Most likly it is a result of how it is programmed. Try changing the lead in, out angle to as small as possible. Also try to change the positions of your lead in, out so they don't lead in/out at the same point. Make the lead out position past the lead in position, so just before it leads out it recuts the distance between the lead in, out positions. This was easy to do on my old CAM system but I haven't come across a situation where I've had to do this in Mastercam. Good Luck. [This message has been edited by Chip Maker (edited 09-19-2000).]

Every once in a while when I regenerte all the toolpaths for a large file, I am propted with a Debug Message "tp_get_assoc_ent(): calling fill_in_ent_idn()". By saving the program, the problem seems to go away. Can anyone tell me what causes this and how I can prevent it. Running Mcam V8 Level 1 on Win NT SP5.

I've heard about this Chook. What is it like? Do know where I can download the trial version. Thanks.

Thanks for clearing that up Dave. Any rumors about when V8.1 will be made available?

I've just reciently downloaded and installed the new patch for 2D lead-in/out for V8. However, when I open a .MC8 file I've already created and regenerate the tool paths, the regenerate runs really slow. A message is displayed "Ctour.dll Special Application Sept 12 2000". Is this something I'm going to have to get used to when I regenerate existing MC8 files?

Does anyone know if there is a Post Processor User Guide for V8? The only one I have is for V5, is that still the current one? If there is a newer version does anyone know how I can get my hands on it. Thanks

I'm not familiar with a post for your machine, but thats not to say that one doesn't exist. Your local Mastercam dealer is probably the best place to start, although posting a message on this board is also a good place to start. If that route doesn't give you any solutions, then you'll have to consult the wizards at Mastercam. Worst case is that they will have to write a post especially for your machine (although this might cost you a little $$$) The MPfan post is a generic post for Fanuc based controllers. It may not be the most efficient or user friendly post for your machine. Good Luck

What kind of samples are you looking for? Mastercam .MC8 files, G-code examples? There is an example of a 4-axis swarf surface in your Mill/mc8/samples/multi axis directory. [This message has been edited by Chip Maker (edited 08-29-2000).]

We have three older machines with really old Heidenhan controllers (H131, H155, H355 respectivly). At first we allowed the operators to program on the machine using Heidenhan's conversational programming, since it was very easy to learn. Years later as we got into more complex work, we started using Mastercam to program for these machines, so a post was created for us. However, what we found is that when we added newer machines to the shop ( with Fanuc and Fanuc based controllers) the operators got confused with the who different styles of code. Its so bad that we've been forced to divide our operators into two groups... those that work only on Heidenhain machines and those that work only on ISO programmed machines. For simplicity on the shop floor, I feel that one standard programming format is the best. I sure wiched we used ISO programming for our Heidenhain's to begin with. ------------------ No guts... No Glory

I just reciently updated my V7 post for a Toshiba HMC to take advantage of the new features V8 had to offer. I was wondering..... how do you get the new custom drill parameters to work in the post. What variables do you use? (Ex. "peck1" refers to the initial peck value, what whould the equivalent character be for "parameter #1"? ------------------ No guts... No Glory

Hello all. I've dropped in a few times to read whats up, but I finally got around to registering. I'm not new to CAM, but have only been using Mastercam for the past year. Reciently upgraded to V8. Looking forward to getting more and sharing tips with you all.