Ok, I originally did a complete install of X2 but I didn't think that my config file that I had backed up would work in that install because it was X2-MR2. So I deleted the install and just copied the entire X2-MR2 folder onto the computer. Would it work if I reinstalled X2 and then copied the config file and machines from the X2-MR2 backup?

This morning I had to install mastercam on my bosses computer. I then copied my mastercam onto it, and now whenever I try to edit a program the clearance field is locking up and opening a window that says (-1.0E38 to +1.0E38). Whenever I go into the config file to change the location of where the nc files post to, the fields in there are doing the same thing. Any ideas on how to fix this?

try the 3d swept toolpath or try simplifying the across contour. hth

Thanks Mike.

Did you have to contact your reseller over the phone to get the information. I emailed mine requesting info and they never emailed me back. Could you give me a ball park figure of what they told you? If you don't want to put it on the forum you can email me. Thanks Mike.

I've been studying this as well, and if I'm understanding everyone here and from the search I did on the forum, the general consensus is to set up tool libraries for each material and plug in the correct sfm and chip per tooth that each tool manufacturer tells you for that material. It seems like this would take a while. Is this the best way to come up with a good starting point for each material/cutter combination? Sorry I didn't mean to hijack a thread but I didn't see any point in starting another one with the same subject.

No problem.

mcpgmr, I did this a long time ago in version 9 and here is what my old notes say. Sorry about the all caps, but that's the way I use to type in all my notes. Hope this helps. If I remember correctly I had to create a surface at the bottom of the plunge for the tool to plunge to. TO PLUNG SIDE SURFACES; CREATE A 2D CONTOUR PROGRAM IF YOU NEED TO ADJUST STOCK TO LEAVE, DO IT IN THE 2D PROGRAM. CREATE A SURFACE PROGRAM TO RUN OFF OF. TOOLPATHS, SURFACE, ROUGH, PLUNGE. PLUNGE FROM 69’’ TO 62.5’’ IN 2D PROGRAM SET EVERYTHING AT ZERO IN SURFACE PLUNGE SET SURFACE PARAMETERS, CLEARANCE, RETRACT, AND FEEDPLANE ALL AT THE TOP OF THE PLUNGE; EXAMPLE IS 69’’. SET ROUGH PLUNGE PARAMETERS MAX STEP DOWN AT ZERO. CUT DEPTHS = MIN. DEPTH ZERO, MAX. DEPTH AT BOTTOM OF PLUNGE. EX = 62.5

It's local also. Time to go home. Thanks for the help hardmill. See ya monday.

All of my tool libraries are stored on my computer. I just tried it again and timed it and it took 62 seconds for it to change.

I don't think so. I'm just editing a tool while in a toolpath, like turning on the coolant or making a speed change.

How come when I make a change to a tool it takes forever for it to take effect. There's a window that pops up that asks it you want to update all programs or create a new tool or cancel tool changes. When it comes up it takes two minutes or so for it to go away. Any ideas?

Mine was on the back porch when I got home last night as well. Thanks In-House.

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Wow, darn the bad luck. I guess this just gives me an excuse to have my system upgraded.

Will X3 work on windows 2000? I tried to download and got an error that said "Mastercam X3 is not supported on the windows 2000 operating system" Do I have to upgrade to windows XP?

It's been a couple of years since I did that but I think I use to create a surface at the bottom of the plunge and use your line, or whatever geometry you have, to drive along. Use the surface rough plunge toolpath. You have to create the contour program first and then on the third page of the surface rough plunge toolpath choose nci.Then pick the contour program you created to drive the tool along. HTH [ 07-30-2008, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Tim Pruett ]

IF you open an nc file, under options/preferences at the top of the page you can check never for backing up files. That should take care of it.

edmBosto, and Cadcam, Thanks for the responses. That helps clear things up. I really appreciate the help.

gms1, Thanks for the response and all the info. That helps clear things up quite a bit. I have another question though, how do you get verify to be fast using the wcs? It always tells me that turbo mode will not work using the wcs or something like that. I tried the fast forward button but it's still really slow. Thanks again.

It's been nearly 3yrs since I've used the wcs. I want to get back to using it. I've watched a few videos on the subject and looked at some sample files and read all that I could find on the forum by doing a search. Let's say I have a cavity for an injection mold and I have to make 20 electrodes for it. Is the best way to do this to have the cavity on level 1 and create my geometry for my electrode on level 2, copy the surfaces over to level 2 and trim them etc. etc. name the first one trode 1 and then create a wcs for it and name the wcs trode 1, and then do the same for trode2 and trode3 and so on and so on? Is this how you guys do it?

I don't use the filter ration setting. The way I understand it, it creates arcs. I cut everything point to point. I already have the cut tolerance set to .0001 so I figured it just about had to be in the surface. I looked at it and it was set to .0003 so I changed it to .0001 . I'm trying a parallel toolpath now. Thanks for the input though. Hopefully that'll help.

Is there a surface tolerance like there was in version 9. Under shade settings there is a chord height setting. Is this it? I'm getting a bad finish on an electrode and I have the cut tolerance set to .0001 . I'm using a flowline toolpath. Please help.

I've tried "view", "normal", moving the geometry close to the surface, and ram saver, but the only thing that'll make it work is to shut down mastercam and turn it back on.

O.K. , I updated mastercam to mr2 sp1 and I'm still having problems projecting entities to a surface. Here's a controversial issue: I don't use the wcs. I just change my construction plane. Like if I want to project a line onto the front of my part, I change to the front construction plane, pick the entity and project it to the surface. But this doesn't always work. My questions are, isn't this the way it's supposed to work, and are the rest of you who are having this problem using the wcs,