quote: When you are importing a file. open the options box. In the lower right corner is an area that says units, tick the radio button to "scale data" and it will scale it when it translates it. Of course it will. But sometimes I don't need to scale the data. Our CMM software outputs only metric iges files (so the inspector says, anyway) but the coordinate data in them is in inches. I need to be able to read the files without Mastercam X automaticaly switching to metric mode. This was possible in all versions previous to X.

quote: but I don't have the Solids feature of MCX and don't know if there is a comparable process there. No, there is, thankfully, not. Mastercam is nowhere near as brain damaged as Solidworks is when it comes to doing simple boolean operations.

I ran into this problem also, just yesterday. My configuration is set to override units but when I read a metric iges file MCX switches to metric anyway. This "feature" was not not available in v9 and methinks it should be removed in vX.

quote: How do you handle splines? Machine them as as. Except for the toolpath(s) where splines aren't allowed (2D Swept comes to mind), and when I'm going to use tool radius comp in the control. Then I break or re-create the geometry needed just for those particular operations. Doing otherwise is a total waste of time, IMO.

quote: Didn't MR1 come out in Jan? I lost track of the dates.According to Alt+V, the MR1 build date was January 6, 2006. When exactly it was released, I don't remember, but I downloaded it on 1/18. Thanks for the info about the bug, Thad. Saves me from dwelling on it anymore. I lost track of how many times I combed config files, MDs and CDs looking for the problem. ::grrrrr::

quote: I am designing the entire plastic injection mold in Mastercam X.Egads! Why? I've been there and done that many times (only because that's the software I was provided with, definitly not by choice) and it never gets any less painful. Pulling electrodes with Mastercam Solids is a snap, but designing anything beyond washer molds is simply a nightmare.

No go. I just created a new, empty library from within the tool manager, then; right click in part tools window create new tool click endmill enter tool# 11 click green check mark tool is listed as number 1 click to highlight right click on tool edit tool change tool# back to 11 click green check now it's listed as and is tool 11

I quickly searched the forum and found nothing on this so I think I'm missing something again. MCX-MR1 I'm having a problem with tool numbering when creating tools with the Tool Manager. It's attemting to number them seqentially, and I have the "Assign tool numbers seqentially" tick-box *unchecked* in tool settings. When creating a tool with the Tool Manager from the toolpaths menu, I select a tool type, enter the tool dimensions and tool number on the next page, and define the tools machining parameters on the last. If I enter, say 11, for the tool number on the second page, the length and diameter offsets on last page match (H11 D11), as I have it configured to do. But upon checking "ok" to save the tool, the tool number switches to number one. (or the lowest unused tool) I have to edit the tool and re-enter the tool number to get it to stick upon saving. The length and tool offsets remain correct when the tool number changes though. One other person I work with has found the same thing and believes it to be a bug. [yes|no|maybe] ?

quote: Lean manufacturingWe just went through our first day of Lean Manufacturing training yesterday. We're primarily a mold builder, but do a little production molding too. Apparently we got some government money to do it, too. I found the subjects covered quite interesting and got a lot out of it, even though it's geared more towards a production environment. I've been doing this (tool making) for over 25 years and have always had a constant desire to strive to improve. It has rewarded me well, I've always been able to manage to earn a pretty darn good living. It saddening though, that the majority of the tool makers I work with, from two year apprentices to 40+ year mold makers poo-poo the concept completely, saying it can't be applied to a tool room environment. Seems that they would rather just complain about foriegn competition than try to think about how they can be more competetive themselves. Feh.

quote: It can't be done.So I found out yesterday. The hard way of course. After somebody came along and said RTFM, it's on page 61 of the getting started guide. To work around it (I have a roaming profile), I added a logoff script to copy the config files to the file server, and added commands to my login script to copy them from the server back to the local machine.

quote: Bob do you use the software in this way at all?I just started using X exclusively late last week (I've been a Mastercam user since 1992), and yes, I use the keyboard for as much as possible and only navigate menus with the mouse to find out what key strokes will get me where I need to go. The only toolbars I use are expanded drafting (drafting functions are to deep in the menus) and shading.

3rd String; That explains it. Thanks.

quote: even though you are storing it on your desktop on one computer that doesn't mean that when you login to another computer it's still on your desktop.Yes, in fact, that is exactly what it means. Suggest you read up on Windows domain controlers and roaming user profiles. My problem isn't with the roaming profile, it's with Mastercam not loading the config file defined on the command line if that config file isn't under the Mastercam installation directory. Perhaps the pathname is to long for Mastercam?

MCX-MR1 I load my .config file from the command line in the Mastercam shortcut. Since I have a roaming profile for logging onto the network I'd like to keep the config files in a folder on my desktop so the same files are available no matter what computer I log into. For some reason, Mastercam will not read the .config if I put the path to the file on my desktop on the command line (in quotes to escape the spaces in the pathname of course), it only seems to want to read from the directory Mastercam is installed in on the c-drive. Am I missing something, or is this by design?

quote: Is there something else to change in the config? Open your .config file in a text editor (e.g. notepad) and find and remove the custom colors. They are identified like this; 5516. Custom color 16? 0 5517. Custom color 17? 7864320 5518. Custom color 18? 30720 5519. Custom color 19? 12105728 5520. Custom color 20? 120 5521. Custom color 21? 7864440 5522. Custom color 22? 15992 etc. Of course, backup your config file first.

quote: ParrialWazzat? A derivative of the piranha toolpath?

quote: I don't see how some of you don't see the use of hide.Ditto. I use hide constantly when toolpathing. Mostly to to have either wireframe or surface geometry + boundries on the screen without putting them on different levels like I see some of my cow-orkers still doing.

Pete; quote: You're right - we DON'T support putting the name of the .MTB file on the command line. My fault for the misleading information. I thought we supported this and was lead further astray by Roger's post into thinking we do.I'm not trying to load the .mtb file from the command line. I do load the .config file from it though. The .mtb file is defined in Settings -> Configure -> Start / Exit -> Toolbars. quote: What name appears at the bottom of the Settings/Customize dialog?My custom file, c:mcamx-mr1configmastercam_bobh.mtb, but it's truncated halfway accros the m in .mtb making it look like an n and there is no t or b. I assume that's simply a display / resolution issue. Despite the name being (more or less) correct the file isn't loaded when Mastercam is initially launched. If you wan't I can email you a screen shot, I don't have access to the ftp site. quote: I'll need to hunt around to see why we're trying to 'write' to the MTB file even though you've canceled. That's not right...I didn't think so. Thanks. At least now I know I'm just partialy, not totaly crazy. For the time being, anyway.

Pete; MC overwrote my .mtb file with defaults. Twice. I couldn't figure out what *I* was doing wrong until I set the read only attribute on the file. I doubt this was intentionaly designed this way; - Launch Mastercam - Settings -> Customize - Click red X / cancel; - Error dialog popup stating unable to open file for writing. (due to 'attrib +r') Mastercam isn't automaticaly loading the custom file when it starts, but happily writes defaults to it upon canceling the Customize menu if the file wasn't opened first. If the window is closed either by right clicking on the upper left corner and clicking close in the pull down, clicking the x on the upper right corner, or clicking green check / ok button it doesn't try to write to the file. Is my assumption correct, or does cancel mean something other than cancel in the Customise menu? MCX-MR1

Pete; I'm not a beta tester, but a long time Mastercam user (since v3) who is finally forcing himself to use version X exclusivley. It's painfull, but I'll survive. I found this thread searching for a solution to this exact problem in MCX-MR1... This morning I created a custom .mtb file and have configured Mastercam to load it in the Configuration -> Start / Exit panel, but it doesn't. Upon launching Mastercam, I must go to the Settings menu -> Customize, then open the custom file to get it to work correctly. .mtb file forwarded.

quote: Chinese molds may be junk today but they won't be tomorrow. There are a lot of hack shops building junk molds right here in the USA, so that's sort of like the pot calling the kettle black. Over the past few years I've seen some pretty nice work come from China as I've been working for mold shops that regularly broker tooling over seas. Don't be kidding yourselves about the Chinese quality eventually getting there... it's already here.

If the control has the option, which it will if it's a CNC88HS, post in incremental and use G91.1 (high speed execution).

quote: What is the difference between a toolmaker and machinist? The pay scale.

quote: I bet the majority of machines out there grow .0015 or more from cold to hot. The most I've seen the Roku-Roku's I've used move from thermal expansion is .0002", and that's the one in a sweat shop w/no AC where the temperature reaches 100°F plus during the summer. The one in a temperature controled environment moved .0001" at most after long periods of machining at 32000RPM. You get what you pay for. About rib cutters, I prefer these tools, in order of preference; 1) Jabro 2) Velocity 3) OSG Putting those tools in a Hurco would be sort of a crime though...

quote: YearsWhat's that comment supposed to mean?