Hi, I have a part here that is drawn in .STP file, when I bring it into Mastercam X, I have multiple lines very close together. I have tried converting it to surfaces and creating curves on all edges and tried to erase duplicate lines...none of this seems to work. Any ideas? Thank you John Ford

Hi, Same as Jeff, wear on tight tolerances and computer for +/- .005". John

Hi Dave, Does the Haas controler have provisions for posting with wear? I have seen this happen when posting with wear comp, try computer comp. John Ford

Hi Hao, Is the first photo (looks like the cross section of a peanut) the top of the heart? Is the last photo of the heart the shape you need? If you send me the 2d profile I can revole it for you and send it back to you. John Ford

How accurate is this going to be? Does your HAAS have linear scales or does it come off the encoders? I am just curious to see if any machine can do this with the correct software? John Ford

Hi Hao, Can you post your file? On the first photo is that the side cross section or the top cross section? Can you draw a 2d profile of what you need? John Ford

Hi New2007, My brother was working for Boeing and on their routers they were using single flute cutters. John Ford

Hi Grraham, I agree but he is using HSS not carbide. The fpm for carbide is double that of HSS on most aluminum alloys. rpm= (fpm x 3.82) / cutter dia An oil mist or any thing would help. John Ford

Hi New2007, I have no experience with a router but, The rpm seems high for a high speed steel cutter, try about half of that. What feedrate are you using? What grade of Aluminum (3003)? John Ford

Hi, Just wondering when "wireframe" toolpaths should be used? Are they similar to surface toolpaths without creating surfaces? Thank you John Ford

Hi Eric, Some of these machines will not do "3d" without buying an option or they require the use of their software$$$$. We looked at Haas, Daewoo, Milltronics and Fadal. We bought the Daewoo, all were within $6000.00 of each other but the Daewoo was more solid 12000 lbs vs hurco 6000 lbs. The Daewoo came standard with the Fanuc control and motors and drives. John Ford

Hi, I think if they had tutorials built in like the ones in solidworks it would be great! They are easy to follow and you do not need to buy any books! John Ford

Hi James and Reece, Each Department is a separate division and some do not upgrade for various reasons ($$$$)? I agree that each should be the same which was the case until this new file extension thing, no compatability issues. I will check out the instructor copy though. The UGS NX4 is free because we are an educational partner of UGS, I have not checked it out yet although I have the software but the free training and maintenance are attractive as well we are able to get any UGS software free of charge! From what I have been told it is great for 5 axis but not to simple for 2d and 3d but I believe it is a solids based? John Ford

Hi Hans, I agree that the file format thing is a pain. We can not send files from one department to another(some have old seats or previous versions). as well I can not post files for help on the FTP site because only a few can open it. This will cause problems for me since I have recieved a ton of help on this web site from the Industrial users on how to do things! We have struck a deal with UGS for NX4, six seats for free and ulimited training for all staff! If it is a stundent version problem then why don't they have "student" file extension? As for In-House solutions they have been great to deal with on most things. John Ford

Hi Hardmill, Thank you John Ford

Hi, I have a lob that requires Garolite (G10). About .5"x.6"x6". It has 18 .6mm holes drilled through the .6" section. Has anybody ever worked with this stuff? How is it on tools? I think it is glass filled? Thank you John Ford

Hi Cadviet, Can you send me the file or post it on the FTP site? John Ford

Hi Cadviet, Rob is correct, you can use pocket or contour with taper options. If you draw it as a surface then use a surface toolpath. John

Hi Cadviet, You should use a surface or a solid and machine from them. John Ford

Hi Sunder, I opened your file but there is no drawing or toolpaths? Are you using a mill? John Ford

Hi, I figured as much, this is why I bought another seat. John Ford

Hi, Could you run a server with the hasp in it and have multiple work stations? John Ford

Hi Lee, I am running X MR2 and 9 on windows 2000. thank you John

Hi, Is there a "best or better" driver to use with this cheap card. Thank you John Ford

Hi, I my desk pc I have a GEFORCE 6200 NVIDIA card, Is there a "better" driver that I could use? My Dell M65 laptop has a NVIDIA Quadro® FX 350M 512MB TurboCacheTM and that works great! Thank you John Ford