In the last week or so I have begun getting this error sometimes when I save a file:

Really irritating and slows me down because I have to click OK a dozen or thirty times.  Doesn't always occur, about 1/2 the time.  Regenerate solids does nothing.

What is the solution?

The one I am doing right now went from giving up after an hour to done in 10 minutes by changing wall stock and floor stock both to 0 instead of 0 and .030

Tolerance is .001 total, .0004 cut tolerance

The model has 3 self intersecting faces, which I avoid using. They are tiny, I just skip them.

I had not thought about cutting it in sections. I bet that would work for me.

I do select only pertinent faces. That is still 2622 drive surfaces and 349 check

I have a fairly large part (120" x 80") I am trying to program.  Anytime I use one of the SHS toolpaths it takes several hours to generate or regenerate a toolpath.  Most of the time is taken up by "Offsetting surfaces...".  What can I do to speed this up? I am using MC2018 but did not notice any difference when I tried MC2020.  Tolerances are pretty tight for the finishing operations but I could not tell how much that is affecting this offsetting surfaces thing, I know it makes quite a difference when MC gets around to calculating steps.  Would it help to drive against surfaces instead of solids?

My computer is not terribly slow, I can regenerate the test file in about 3 minutes.

(I cannot share the file. Please don't ask)

6 flute cutters. They start breaking at 12% step overs. I'm running at .75" DOC.

Another big contributor to cutter life is good coolant. Unfortunately we do not have through spindle coolant or high pressure coolant on this machine. My tests so far show a minimum of 30 min tool life, perhaps double that. We are doing more testing.

Thank you Gcode, I'll play with that.

Millman, we will be using RobbJack 1/2" cutters. Starting at 3000rpm, 75ipm, .050" step overs (393 sfm, .0042 fpt, 10% step over). I'll run some tests to see if we can get closer to your parameters.

I have a relatively large titanium part to make.  Using dynamic optirough the first 3/4" step down cuts for about 2.3 hours. Is there any simple way I can get a retract and stop every 1/2 hour to check for wear and possibly change out the endmill?

I know that I can back plot the tool path then break it and drive it but I would prefer not to.

I sure hope not, its bad enough already.

And, no, fixing up a MasterCam post that would work just fine without jumping through all sorts of hoops is not an option. My boss has mandated this 3rd party post.

Or I suppose, alternatively, can I get a tool change into the .nci file without any motion? Then I could move the comment operation after the tool change operation.

Yeah, I can change things around in a MasterCam post processor.

This guy is trying to read a .nci file and post it with a CIM pro processor and he needs the "commands" in a different place. Apparently.

I have a guy writing a post processor for us who doesn't like the location in the .nci file of the 1006 comment between tools. Is there any way for a comment to show up after a tool change?

I use blank/unblank a lot and stock model (toolpaths). Is there a way to keep stock models that are not displayed from showing in unblank? They cover up everything so I can't find what I want.

Thank you, Crazy.  Now at least I can get to what always works.

When I make a Surface High Speed (project) toolpath and go back to look at the model geometry all the groups are gone. It still displays surfaces as selected or not. When I regenerate the toolpath it "forgets" any surface offsets and just drives tool to net. What am I doing wrong?

Also, can I just find the old surface project toolpath somewhere?

36 minutes ago, LA CAMmer said:

On the Model Geometry page, under Machining Geometry, uncheck Display Remainder.

This is what I needed!

Thanks

I organize surfaces and solids by colors. During geometry selection in the High Speed toolpaths MasterCam shades all the unselected surfaces and solids gray then yellow when selected. Is there any way to NOT have all unselected surfaces be just gray?

Thank you, I have a request in to them.

Can somebody please point me to where I can get a guide to the nci file?  I need to be able to decode the tool path codes. Many years ago I had a book . . .

Thanks

I am doing some 5 axis surfacing with the side of a bull end mill (tilt 90). The tool path runs with the radius of the cutter tangent to the surface. How can I make the tool path reach past the contact point so it is cutting up on the side of the cutter? The only thing I have been able to figure out is to lie to MasterCam and tell it my cutter has a larger radius.

The toolpaths I have been using are parallel and parallel to surface.

I'm sorry, I cannot upload an example for you.

Cant' help you, just chiming in: I have the same issue.

Windows 10, Quadro K4200

OK. Thank you, sir.

I will play with it some more today.

I don't know if my picture will show.

From the front view you should not be able to see multiple steps

I am trying to cut a simple 5 axis flange with project curves, morph pocket step overs. The toolpath steps over but it also steps down between each slice. What am I missing? (I know at least 3 ways to get the motion I want with 'classic' multi-axis toolpaths but I am trying to figure out the 'new' toolpaths.) Also, what is a better way to multi-axis a pocket floor?

t.mcx-9

Use a Space Pilot or Space Navigator.  I can hardly function with mine.

I found it. Checkbox "Display relative to WCS" in Plans Manager.