Thanks for the kind words Cadcam. Everyday is a new challenge. 5x one day, wire the next, Integrex on the 3rd day. It's always something new. Thanks again

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Hey Joe, Looks good! Can't wait to see how it works for you. We got our email sorted out. The post is on the way!

Chris, Send me that part. Let me have a go at it.

Hi Jeff and Ocean, Did either of you every use a manual jig borer to put in holes? For the ultimate in precision you would always position holes from the SAME direction to eliminate any error caused by backlash in the screws. One way filtering is built on the same principle. Imagine a grid of points. One way filtering will always start from the same edge and filter in one direction. This eliminates (possible) tiny mismatches in how the points are calculated. Which should, and usually does, result in a better finish. I think it should be the default. I always recommend using the filter. But I only use ARC filter on planar toolpaths. Planar being toolpaths that hold 1 axis stationary and move the other 2 axis. Such as Contour, Rough Pocket and Parallel. And, the new Raster, Waterline and Area Clearance. Arc filtering works well with these toolpaths. Toolpaths that DO NOT conform to planar cuts... In other words, toolpaths that will move 3 axis simultaneous, such as Scallop and Radial are difficult to fit arcs. In non planar toolpaths (like scallop) Mastercam is supposed to filter using points until it finds a planar arc, then put in the arc. But, like everything else, it works on a tolerance and depends on a number of factors, including a post that is setup correctly for a specific machine and deciaml place output. (ALL machines handle arcs differently. AND, machine mfg change their control software from time to time, so it can be a moving target.) Anyway, once in awhile a small arc slips through due to rounding and is interpreted as out of plane (non-planar) and the control will error. Since it is usually occurs 50,000 lines deep, in a hot job... I recommend turning off arc filter in a non planar toolpath. Just my .02 Also, many true high speed machines are designed to handle mega amounts of points. On these machines I turn off the filter. The whole premise of filter is that it allows a huge program to be run on a machine that shouldn't really be running it. In other words, that jerky motion and slow feedrates simply means you are trying to shove a big program through a machine that can't handle it. If it were designed to handle it, the motion would be smooth and you would maintain an acceptable feedrate. Filter is a tool, not a magic wand. Again, just my .02

Hi Haas_Guy, Surface, Finish, Scallop is a non-planar toolpath. I would not create arcs in any plane. So, use filter, 1:1 is ok, one-way filter is good (should be default but is not), but do not create arcs. It will cause the plane errors (IJK) you are getting at the machine.

There are just sooooo many ways that the control COULD HAVE been programmed. CAM system, manual, subs, canned cycles, etc that it seems almost impossible to build a reverse post that can look at all the variations and decipher what is happening. Then, it needs assume certain parameters and put it all in an nci file for backplotting and re-posting. No flames here. Just a tough project, that may never end. I wish you all the best!

C'mon Brett, you know better than that!

Jody, Set your 2D/3D switch to 3D. 2D setting will yield a 2D Bounding Box. 3D setting will yield a 3D Bounding Box. BTW - We have a 2-day update class that covers this and other topics.

Hi Haas_guy, You are on maintenance. We are sending out CD's this week. You should have it soon.

Tim, If you don't get what you want, let me know. I will fix it for you.

Wuf Man, You did say v9 right? Does your post have a variable called mtol? If so, what is the value? I am thinking it is a small rounding error caused by using an older post with a newer MP. This situation is rare and elusive. But, I have seen it. If you do not have mtol, I would add it. If you are outputting 4 decimal places, I would set mtol to .00005.

Sounds to me like it you could use a seat of Mastercam Wire! Mitch has been beta testing Wire in MR1. Now would be an excellent time to discuss this with your dealer... er, me!

Gcode is right. Many machines have "dogleg" rapid moves as the default. It is a parameter that can be set in the control. Backplot and Verify do not show this because THE MACHINE ACTUALLY INTERPETS AND MOVES DIFFERENTLY, from how the code is output. (Metacut Utilities will simulate dogleg rapid moves) The solution is to be sure your rapid plane is well above the highest point on the piece. I've never seen HSM gouge. But, I have seen dogleg rapids reach up and bite you!

Haas_guy, Unfortunatly, this is a bogus error in the Ver X communication. If you click by the error, everything should work. CNC is working on this problem and should have it fixed for SP1. Which is due out in about a week.

quote: I spent some time today at work modifying the post and got quite a bit done in a few hours. Haas_guy, We are all still learning about ver X. Even us dealers. From your name, I assume you are using a Haas. I think we have a pretty good Haas post that has been highly refined. (We have a Haas simulator at our office to test with) Since you are in my area, if you find something that is not right or should work differently with the Haas post, please let me know. We will change it, document it and return it to you quickly. Our Haas post is solid. You should not have to spend any time modifing a Haas post... unless you just want to. Please call me at 765-778-2020, or email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

I was wondering, has anyone reconfigured their Right Mouse Button Menu yet? If so, what commands do you find useful? Right now, my RMB menu is pretty much as X shipped. But, I did add the Apply/Enter to the top of the menu and added a Snap To... menu that I created. My Snap To... menu has all the Autocursor Icons that allow me to snap to geometry quickly. Very similar to the Point Entry in older versions, but now it's always at hand under the RMB. The zoom commands, fit and repaint will be coming off soon. As soon as I find worthy replacements. I added the Analyze commands to the bottom. Anyway, I thought it might help others to find out "What's under your RMB?"

Hi g huns, Hold down shift and then click, you will be good to go! For more WIREFRAME chaining tips, see page 137 in the Mastercam X Refernce Guide, by clicking Help, Refernce Guide. [ 08-13-2005, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Randy Maynard ]

g huns, If you are using an NVidia card, please make sure the "use unified back/depth buffer" setting is UN-CHECKED. That should do it!

ctmjody, g huns and G Caputo, Still shipping updates! But my UPS guy is VERY happy. Here is a little tidbit I learned. UPS guys get paid by the hour AND the package. So, lets say in an 8 hour day, the typical UPS guy is supposed to handle 800 packages. That is 100 per hour. But, if they handle 1200 pkgs. in an 8-hour day, they get 4 hours of overtime. So, when my UPS guys backs his truck up and loads on another 200-300 boxes PER DAY, he is making WAY more money. So, just when I thought my UPS guy was going to quit... He can't wait to get over here to pick up more boxes! G Caputo - email me if you need those codes. I will send them to you!

Pip and Eric S., Thanks for the replies. I understand what you are saying. My question should have been directed more to Mastercam Wire EDM users. That is: Do you use the gear c-hook in Mastercam to create both BOTH gear and spline profiles? And, if so, what are the specific differences? Again, thanks for the replies!

I am hoping some of you Wire Guys can help me. What is the difference between a gear and a spline. I know gears have external teeth and splines have internal teeth. But more specifically, how do you use the gear c-hook in Mastercam to create both gear and spline geometry? What parameters are changed to get the different configurations?

ctmjody, g huns and g caputo, We have not recieved our boxes yet. We have made many preparations so we can turn them around ASAP. And, I can tell you this, my UPS guy is sweating bullets because we are getting several hundred boxes in one week and I have told him to expect to carry them back out the door the next week! I'll see what I can do about putting you "forum faithful" at the top of the list.

quote: Why does it include a version 9.1 sp2 cd? It doesnt build on top of 9 does it? No, it does Build on top of V9. Including the V9 CD is something the local reseller has done.

g huns, Call me. I will convert it for you.