How about repainting? My guys are telling me that when you hit F3 it wont repaint and get rid of what has already been backplotted so the screen isn't cluttered.

ok thanks!!! Can anyone else confirm that all Surface toolpaths are checked in Version X?

For the longest time I have been told that tapered tools are not gouge checked in Mastercam Version 9.1, In other words I cannot cut a straight walled surface with a 1 degree tool and have Mastercam step the tool over to maintain the top edge. My guys were doing some testing yesterday and drew a straight wall surface and used a tapered tool and Mastercam actually stepped the tool over to maintain the top edge. Now I am really confused. Also does Version X gouge check tapered tools? Thanks, Ed

We have 6 Fadal's with the Siemens 840D controllers. We run our Fadal's pretty hard. We have a lot of problems with them, but for the most part they are Fadal related problems, not Siemens problems. The new Fadals with the Siemens controller have a Siemens Spindle Drive, where the ones we have have a Fadal Spindle Drive. This is where we have most of our problems, with encoders and such. I love the Siemens control, its really easy to use once you get the hang of it. Going from a standard Fadal 88HS controller to the Siemens increased our speed about 400-500%. We also just got a Makino S56 with a Fanuc 18i(Pro3) control, and I like this control alot also. Its really not fair for me to compare the controllers because they are on 2 different machines. Just remember a Fadal is a Fadal no matter what controller is on it. Meaning I am sure the Fanuc 18i and the Siemens 840D will offer similar performance on the Fadal. It boils down to which controller has the most options for your application.

quote: I understand that the owner of Axsys didn't want any beta testers in Michigan. That came from an Axsys salesman. I find this VERY hard to believe!!! I am an Axsys customer and I am also a Beta Tester for them. Not for Mastercam but another software. I have been a Beta tester for Mastercam in the past. Part of being a beta tester is letting them know the problems with the software. If you just use the beta software and don't report any problems (because of not having time or whatever), you will quickly be pulled off the list of Beta Testers.