Yes, this might be the right approach. I'm looking into this now. Thanks!

We use two different CNC routers, both programmed with Mastercam. We use Inventor to nest parts for one router then import into mastercam for programming. In order to make the nested MCX file usable for the other router, all the parts must be rotated 90 about the origin then translated 96" in X. Can anyone help with a VBScript to do this automatically with one button click? TIA

Do many people here cut melamine on MDF core materials? We are trying to improve our finish. We currently use a 3-axis C.R. Onsrud router with MDF spoilboard. Typically we will use a 3/8" 2 flute spiral compression bit running at 18,000 rpm and a 600 in/min feedrate. We have used the oscillating toolpath with very good success on the top side, but when doing the final pass and cutting thru our material the bottom side finish is poor (tearout). We cut into the spoilboard 1/32" to put the tool tip beyond the bottom surface, however we will run the same program multiple times w/o resurfacing. On the second run and after, since there is no material supporting the bottom of the cut, we have a bad finish.

Thanks Columbo, I didn't think there would be a problem, but I thought it best to ask here first. Thanks for your help.

>McamX2-MR2HELPvbscript.htm has some documentation ugh, this is no better. Roger, do you notice how nice the help is formatted in HelpSCRIPT56.CHM? It would be excellent if this type of formatting was also supplied for the Mastercam API. There are products that will generate better documentation from the source code (e.g. Autodoc, Doxygen) Also, where are the objects? I only see some very rudimentary objects for the application programmer. For instance, where is the Application object, where is the Document object? Does Mastercam even use the DOM? >Macros and VBScript are two totally different things yes as I now realize, but why is this? When seeing "macro" and macro manager on the toolbar, I was assuming that mastercam would generate the macro script (similar to Microsoft Word and many other windows apps that use the idea of a "macro" and usually support VBA) instead of generating the macro in binary. Also, why was VBScript chosen over VBA? It seems that VBScript was developed primarily for web pages and limits the application programmer accordingly (e.g. can't access filesystem or do anything "bad" to user), so why use this language to extend Mastercam?

We have recently went to multiple users for Mastercam X2 programming for the same machines. Is it a good idea for the common files such as machine definitions, posts, tool definitions, operation libraries, etc., to be put onto a network so everyone is using the same files? We have tried putting seperate copies in the standard C:mcamx folders, but are having a hard time keeping everything in sync.

Is there any good documentation on the VBScript API? I typed VBScript into the help index and also searched for this term, but found no API help. All I managed to find is VBSCRIPT.DOC, which is very poorly written. On a related topic, I tried using the macro recorder to generate some VBScript for what I was trying to do, but the resulting file was not a script but was binary???

We have a C.R. Onsrud 96C12 3 axis router. For a typical job (we are in the cabinet business) there are anywhere from 3 to 10 or more .nc files that need to be sent to the machine. At the machine, the operator can scroll thru the list of available programs. For each program, a sheet of material is put on the table (usually 3/4" MDF) and multiple parts are cut from the sheet. Each .NC file is generated from its own .MCX file and only one .NC file is generated per .MCX file. > Now what you might need to do is put all the file together in one file with This would not be a feasible option. We don't mess with the .NC file unless we really have to. The less post-processing the better. It would seem like the Communications package with Mastercam would allow a user to select multiple .nc programs to send. BTW, our files do not have a % at either the top or the bottom.

Mastercam X2 MR1 Is it possible to send multiple files to a CNC machine with Mastercam communications? I have tried to multiselect files in the Communications Send... Open dialog, but am unable. It seems that sending multiple files to a machine in one step would be a fairly common task?

I am having the same problem. I am using Inventor Professional 2008 SP1 and Mastercam X2 MR1 on a Windows XP64 operating system. This really needs to be fixed and should not require reinstalling either program. To Pete, shouldn't the Mastercam Direct Add-in keep track of how many toolbars and buttons it has created? It is pretty easy to have the addin delete any buttons it uses at startup then add back the correct number.

DavidB, did you ever find a definite solution to your problem. I am also seeing the tool gouges when I change from "Reverse Wear" to "Control".

Thanks for your help, I see now where to set the default stock size in the Operation Defaults. I will try this.

MasterCAM X Router SP1 I'm trying to get my stock setup customized for our work and am having the hardest time. I have opened MasterCAM, selected the Router definition, selected the Files folder under the Machine Group Properties in the browser, then modified the Machine Group Properties to my liking. After that, I clicked the green check and everything seemed ok. I then closed and reopened MasterCAM, selected the router def, and none of my changes stayed put! Any suggestions?

"I went into one of the open Word sessions and did a File/Open on a different .DOC file. It opened an additional session of Word (like Mastercam - you can't have more than one file open in one session)" yes, but Word ties all the windows nicely together with the Window menu and you can drag-n-drop objects between windows.

I was very suprised to find that I cannot drag a file into the MasterCAM window to open it Also, when you are currently running MasterCAM, if you double-click on a file associated with MasterCAM, why does it try to open a new instance of the app? Why not open the file in the instance that is already open? Finally, when are we going to see the ability to have multiple files open at the same time? I can respect the originality in the MasterCAM interface, but can it include the functionality users have come to expect with Windows programs?