This has been covered before: http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...2156;p=1#000001 Watch your verify and be VERY carefull!!!!

quote: I occasionally draw it up, but never ever use "undefined". Why are some of you using it? Because you don't have to "scale" the tool drawing with "undefined" Check this thread: http://www.emastercam.com/ubb/ultimatebb.p...2999;p=1#000010

If your talking 5-axis then, no, only the post drives the motion.

On the FTP for visual reference: code: T120.jpg

Ok, let's look at T103 example I uploaded. the original file is a 1/4 ball EM in an extended holder. So, the radius of the tool is .125 correct?? This dimension must be scaled to 1 inch (the radius, not the diameter!!) So, 1/.125 = 8 Select all, Xform, Scale, Scale Factor= 8 resave the file in the correct folder. (another thing I've found is the .tools library file must be in the same folder as the scaled tools.) Now edit tool, select custom file, select the proper scaled file and your good to go. This works for Backplot and Verify. (In Verify settings, turn Tool tolerance down to .0005 or your tools will be shaped like Stopsigns....)

Ok Randy,, I've uploaded a VX2 file for you: code: T103_VX2.zip HTH....

Ok,, on the FTP under tools directory: code: MAM_unscaled_and_scaled_tools.zip There's an unscaled folder for the original files, and the main folder contains the scaled versions. I've also included a few holder and spindle drawings we use to define new tools into our MAM library.

If you select "undefined" in tool types, the custom drawing will work fine. But,,,, your tool list will say "undefined tool" Nice, eh??? (not) However, if you select any other tool type, you must "scale" your tool drawing to 1" radius at the defined cutting diameter. We create 2 folders, one for the original file, and one for the "scaled" version. Select the "scaled" file for your custom tool drawing. I'll upload some examples to the FTP today...

quote: I drve a Ford and run a Haas I drive a Ford, program 5 Haas's, 2 Makino's, and of course, 2 Matsuura MAM72-63V's....

quote: oh, I did see that Mat. running out at a Selway demo in Wilsonville. That thing looks hella robust. I really like the Matsurra full machine verification setup they had with it. Stay tuned Chris,,, YouTube video coming soon.... (2" Mitsubishi 12000 RPM, 350IPM, .500 DOC, .375 Axial, 2D highspeed toolpath,,,) My offer stands,, come out and visit us sometime, we're right around the corner from Selway... (Hi James..and Kyle)

Chris, you need to come out and see our Matsuura MAM72-63V's These machines are the cat's a$$!!!! I know they are way more than a Haas, but you get what you pay for.....

I suppose so... But the whole thing should be automatic. The chipload percentage should change based on tool dia. Then you don't have to remember to edit the tool. (waste of time and prone to mistakes)

The main problem with the Material library is Chipload.... If you define a base chipload of say .005 IPT. It will use that same chipload regardless of tool dia. A 1/16 em at .005 IPT won't last very long......

Alt-C - Gear C-Hook fill in the blanks....

Actually for that type of facing, you want to select "one pass" instead of "zigzag" for facing type and select keep tool down in depth cuts.........

right click on the file in windows explorer, "extract all" This will unzip the file for you...

Found a nice FTP plug-in for Firefox. "FireFTP" We now have both of our MAM's hooked up wireless. This works sweet....

So far,, everything is working. What really matters is the distance from your Wireless Router to your machines. (ours is about 20 ft. away) You could even setup multiple wireless routers, (one for the machines and one for the office computers) If interference is a problem you can also get larger extension antennas. (you can even crank up the transmitter power in your routers with "special" bin files if your into that stuff)

Have not tried the Area Mill yet,, been playing with Core Mill and almost had a MAJOR crash... when I changed the depth and regenerated, it turned off the clearance all by itself on the lower depth cuts!!! 2 inch facemill thru the part at 350 IPM!!! (very strange, didn't do it again) Thank goodness CAMplete caught it when I ran it back thru to post it.... So,, watch your verify closely.......

If you need to hook up your ethernet capable machine to your wireless network, it's very easy..... (no need for all that expensive DNC software) Went out and bought a Linksys WGA54G Ethernet Port Wireless-G Game Adapter for $69 at Fry's. Plugged it in to our MAM72-63V ethernet port, set the unit on top of the machine, configured a static IP address for the adapter and one for the machine. Setup the FTP User and Pass. Fired up my little FTP prog on my PC and BINGO! Looking at my machine dataserver..... Sure beats stringing a cable all over the shop...

Looking at your file... I assume the spindle is horizontal?? Your origin should be the center pivot point of both axis. (which I assume is down below the center of your fixture) "B" is tilt and "C" is table rotation correct? Look here in your post: (this is the correct settings for a vertical Matsuura table-table 5-axis MAM72-63) code: # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # 5 Axis Rotary Settings # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Assign axis address str_pri_axis "C" str_sec_axis "A" str_dum_axis "B" #Toolplane mapped to top angle position strings str_n_a_axis "A" str_n_b_axis "C" str_n_c_axis "B" #Misc. String settings sopen_prn "(" #String for Open Parenthesis "(" sclose_prn ")" #String for Close Parenthesis ")" sextnc$ NC #String for program extension #Machine rotary routine settings mtype : 0 #Machine type (Define base and rotation plane below) #0 = Table/Table #1 = Tilt Head/Table #2 = Head/Head #3 = Nutator Table/Table #4 = Nutator Tilt Head/Table #5 = Nutator Head/Head head_is_sec : 1 #Set with mtype 1 and 4 to indicate head is on secondary #Preferred setup is pri. zero matches sec. zero/direction #Zero machine and determine the planes perp. to axis rotations #These plane combinations are valid: #Primary plane XY XZ YZ #Secondary or XZ XY XY #Secondary YZ YZ XZ #Primary axis angle description (in machine base terms) #With nutating (mtype 3-5) the nutating axis must be the XY plane rotaxis1$ = -vecy #Zero rotdir1$ = vecx #Direction #Secondary axis angle description (in machine base terms) #With nutating (mtype 3-5) the nutating axis and this plane normal #are aligned to calculate the secondary angle rotaxis2$ = vecz #Zero rotdir2$ = vecy #Direction #NOTE: Use of 'top_map' requires the dealer match the # above settings below. These must match initial settings!!! p_nut_restore #Postblock, restores original axis settings result = updgbl(rotaxis1$, "vecy")#Zero result = updgbl(rotdir1$, "vecx")#Direction result = updgbl(rotaxis2$, "vecz")#Zero result = updgbl(rotdir2$, "vecy")#Direction Assign axis address is where you set which letter comes out. HTH

quote: There's nothing strange or non-standard about the machine setup that we have so I can't see why the MCX 5-axis default post and machine definition won't work.I have never seen a 5-axis machine that was "standard" or "not strange" Every 5-axis machine I've ever dealt with has some wacky quirk to tweak in.... The generic 5-axis post is just that,,, "generic" There are too many 5-axis combinations to make a one-for-all post that will be error-free out of the box.. JM2C

quote: In Camplete you can load tools into your toolchanger...so when you import your .nci file they are already there & defined. Wait till you see the new version (I got a peek at IMTS)....very cool things are coming in the future. Starting to populate tools into libraries, a little at a time. Can't wait for the new stuff!! CAMPlete is amazing software, it's so easy to get what you want....and know it's right. This is the way Mastercam should build their posts, the GUI interface is very easy to tweak. You also "see" the G-code before it actually posts.

quote: Well, I've been using CAMPlete (and supporting our customers that use it) over the last year and a few months. I can honestly say I've not run into the Inverting Toolpath issue. I've done a large variety of parts also 3 axis toolpaths through 5. With that said, I REALLY like it. So many things I used to have to think about and consider when I program without it... don't have to think about that stuff anymore. I can basically program my part from any location and transform the toolpaths and rotate them into position with a few mouse-clicks. It can do things that just can't be done without SERIOUS file modification on the Mastercam file. For example, I have a MAM72-35V and a MAM72-42V. I programmed my part considering the 35V, well the 35V is booked SOLID for as month and I have to get something through. With only Mastercam... BIG problem. One is a B/C machine and the other is an A/C machine. With CAMPLete... a few mousclicks and voila, no problem. Full machine simulation ON G-CODE. It's a great enhancement to Mastercam, or any CAM System really. I would never even consider programming a MAM without it. I had my first experience with Camplete today,,, for our pair of MAM72-63V's. I also had the honor of meeting CNC Apps Guy today. (He looks way different without the glasses) This is great software from what I've played with so far. The only shortcoming I see is no way of importing more detailed tooling info from Mastercam. (we'll figure out a solution, just getting into tool libraries here at my new job.) The machine simulation motion is very smooth,,, it even shows the way covers expanding and contracting!! This is gonna be fun!!!!!!!

I understand the differences between C/L and part zeros, but my main question is probing logic/calculations. (Management is actually receptive to changing to what we need!!) We are getting heavily into probing, checking fixtures/parts (locations, WPC, etc.) checking for clamps (idiot proof) and hopefully some first article inspection routines. (with reports for inspection) Obviously the machines will have to be laser and ball-bar checked regularly..... I was wondering how many of you are using other software to program probes,, or is it just custom drill cycles in Mastercam?