1. try using no cutter comp. even if your comp is set to 0.000 just having the G41/G42 throws in a whole extra set of calculations and I've seen it cause issues. 2. try linearizing the arcs so the chain is a bunch of very small line moves with no arcs (break many pieces). or you can disable arc output in the control def just to test it. 3. try disabling the high speed lookahead (G05P0) for this path. Depending on settings having the G05P10000 can cause issues if your code contains lines and arcs. try running it with the high speed lookahead off with arcs and running with high speed lookahead off without arcs to determine if this is the issue.

PP and PE and very soft, you need to have a very sharp tool with a high rake angle cutting a "thick" chip to get any kind of finish. The harvey tool single flute plastic cutters work very well. "standard" endmills do not cut well, 2 flute aluminum cutters are a bit better but just don't have the rake angle and chip clearance that the single flute endmills do.

does the code have a G41 for the finish pass? is there any comp distance being applied at the machine? (does your radius list have a value in it?) 1. if so try running it without cutter comp on. 2. try linearizing the arc via the post, or breaking the arc up into many short lines and see if that makes any difference. 3. try turning off the high speed look ahead. all of these can cause issues, if they do not cure the problem I'd have to agree and say you have a backlash adj. issue, a ballscrew issue, or a bad bearing on one end of your X axis ballscrew.

we all know why not to use a chuck, but drill chucks are very handy and quick. I like the type that use a allen wrench to open/close via a worm gear. Not quite as quick as a keyless chucks, but they offer a more positive grip. I'd rather see a quality cnc drill chuck than a tool in the wrong size collet.

two words wireframe -> Swept 2D or is that three words... or four... Anyway use the geometry you used to create the surface to do a swept 2d toolpath and you will be very happy.

while you can edit the formula file, your best bet is to just use an operation library to get exactly what you want every time.

I'm glad it worked out for you, post pics of the finished part if you can. luckily your minor diameter is constant, they get more difficult if it is tapered.

a simple 2d pocket with axis substitution works very well to rough out an auger. you will need to "unroll" your geometry so it is flat using xform roll (positioning = -90 to be correct). If the floor is tapered you will need to use something other than a 2d pocket with axis substitution. HTH

There's nothing wrong with using the G30pxx to do this as it can be changed at the machine which can be useful. but like Pete said G53 is machine coordinates, it doesn't mess with any work offsets or preset positions so you could do a G0G90G53X-82.5

well I don't see anything in the code, it may be as simple as calling T8. But I don't see how it could be orientating the knife before the initial cut. I'd ask the machine tool dealer for info on the code format. M6 T8 G01 F100.1 G0 Z1.000 G0 X4.330 Y0.000 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X7.270 Y0.000 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X7.374 Y0.330 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X7.184 Y0.711 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X6.707 Y1.261 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X6.961 Y1.769 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X6.412 Y1.770 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X6.402 Y1.770 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X6.373 Y1.767 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G03 X6.3480 Y1.7570 I6.3889 J1.6879 F100 G01 Z0.000 F300 G01 X6.335 Y1.746 F100

do you F keys work? There is an "F Lock" function on some keyboards that can mess with hot keys, but I don't know about alt+s specifically.

the way 2d high speed currently works, the chain with the largest area is the chain to be machined. All other (smaller) chains are used as avoidance chains.

two ways of doing this depending on what the machine wants: 1. as trevor stated, a simple M code output at the start of the contour to tell it to use the tangential knife. To orient the knife we typically do a lead in line above the part, then plunge as it uses the initial direction to set the knife. The M code can be triggered by a specific tool # or a misc value. 2. the other way is much more complicated and usually not necessary. Setup a right angle head in the machine def/post, program with a curve 5 axis toolpath with side tilt set to +/- 90 degree and output rotary values for the C axis to keep the knife tangent. Either way can be done, one is obviously much easier than 2. Can you look at the code your sending the machine, post the code?

ok, that's pretty straight forward, I'll put it on my list but it won't be any time soon. I see you are putting B values in your G10 work offset list. Doesn't this cause problems if your outputing angle values in the code, I typically otuput B0. in the G10 list which can be edited, but edited to "tweak" the output code plus or minus a small angle value to account for the fixturing. Just wondering how your machine handles it.

it's not setup for it, but it certainly could be done. I don't know when I'd be able to get to it but post an example of what it should look like.

I had a couple of emails on this, this is the mpmaster post from X5 with just a few modifications. Specifically; G10 work offset output, Mastercam displayed operation # output, automatically cancell HPCC when using the same tool to mill then drill. other than that it is the X5 mpmaster post.

on the FTP site, in the text and post folder, there are two ziptogo files, G10_HMC.z2g and G10_VMC.z2g that contain machine def, control def, post, and example file. These are all X5 files.

I posted a zip file containing a V9 pst and txt file along with a sample mc9 file for G10 output that outputs the origin of each plane relative to the mastercam origin (centerline of pallet). You could simply update it to X5 and use it. It outputs a sorted G10 list and only outputs the offsets used in the file.

neurosis, fair enough. 20/20 heinsight and all... FYI, your experience with adaptive clearing is no the norm, I know many people who have used it for years with no issues. If you had a bug, or some type of pc issue doesn't really matter, customer service does matter. I'm sure MU1 will be out and you will be able to run volumill with it. And you've seen what is coming down the pipeline with "OptiRest" so hopefully you won't miss a beat.

I agree, I have a lot of ways of measuring a 1" cube, I have mics, calipers, height gage, Master3dgage, etc... Volumill does give different results, and can supply you with another option. To be fair, neurosis stated volumill has been two steps ahead of mastercam. So why did you purchase volumill when a more mature product existed, Cimco's adaptive clearing has been two or three steps ahead of volumill? Adaptive clearing (I believe in V9.1) started as 3d, 2d was added after 3d rest-machining. I'm really not trying to pick on you, just pointing it out. My guess is if we were going to get any more info we would have already heard it, maybe due to lawyers, maybe due to respect, etc... I guess the good thing to take away from this is that any money spent on volumill was not wasted. You probably broke even after the first week or two when accounting for tooling costs saved, shorter run times, etc...

I have a space pilot but want to add one of these: try this mouse

I think we're all anxiously awaiting "Opti-Rest". Until then it is either HST Restmill, use the trim function, or purchasee adaptive clearning.

This is a known issue, and it only happens when you have "Only display selected toolpaths" and you are working with toolpath transform ops. But I would still send it to your reseller or to cnc software.

one quick change fixture mounted on center for location and to hold the part (3R, Kaiser, etc...), precision height spacers used to support the corners with some options for clamping the stock, or bolting the spacers to the stock. Once the quick change is holding the the part in place, slide the spacers around so they can be bolted down to T slot as well as bolted or clamped to the stock. Make your spacers so you can easily get a ratchet in to bolt to table as well as the stock. This is pretty quick since you only have to know where one 3R fixture is but is supported well and held nice and ridgid. You can even pre-mount the spacers to the stock so they just need to be clamped down to the table. HTH

There's no way to edit the menu's, but whatever you are going into the file menu for you can create a toolbar that has those functions on it so you don't have to go to the menu. I've always thought they should have a cancel option when saving or hitting new.