I use a text editor called UltraEdit that you can make macros. This one should be easy. It's an editor mainly used by software developers so much of it is overkill for G-code but we use it to convert old G-code files from previous cam systems to run on our Haas mills. Ultracompare is the companion software for comparing text files.

Hello, Does anyone know if you can get the cad file and/or MCX files for that Mastercam Globe part that was done on a mill/turn? I'd like try it on our new haas trunnion 5 axis setup. this what I'm after.... http://blog.mastercam.com/2010/09/mastercam-is-world-class-machining.html Thanks, Scott Garrison

FYI :"In one fell swoop"

Thanks Jon! Scott

Guess not.

Is there a way to change the drill point sorting style so I don't have to change it every single time? I use the same one most of the time. Thanks! Scott

Anyone actually form tap Royalloy s.s.? We used to use Ramax but we are switching. Supposedly these are very similar to 420F s.s. I've never form tapped either materials, we just happen to be switching to royalloy and I always wanted to get away from cut taps. We have to bottom tap many holes to depth manually as we cannot go too deep due to the part design. Thanks!

I had the same thoughts but it turns out that you do not need this installer. My reseller sent me the files and I just copied the files manually. Some go in the root mastercam directory and chook directory. Then just set the set-up sheet to .set. It's working fine now. I know I had to use this installer before but it's been so long I don't remember. Thanks, Scott

Hello all, I know I'm probably one of the last ones around still using IHS's HTML set-up sheets. We had ours heavily customized so that is why. I just got a new workstation with Win7(64) professional and am having trouble getting these set-up sheets going. I'm missing the documentation so if anyone has that I'd appreciate it. When installing it I get "cannot detect mastercam installation directory" error message. Thanks, Scott

We use the HTML set-up sheets from In House Solutions and love them. We had them heavily customized to output each operation as well as a tool list. Too bad IHS didn't push these more and stopped supporting them. I think the mods we did would be a big hit. Scott

I've seen it here on 3axis surfacing cuts. Same thing, rename it, regen & save. Comes back when reopened.

I hate it also. In X3 I used to like the tip comp button right there as a visual reminder to set it correctly. With the tree, I have to remind myself to go there & set it. I also have never needed to change the toolpath type, i.e. drill, circle mill etc... Quick view would be more useful if the user could configure it for each toolpath type so it shows what is most needed. +1000 on the eye candy comment. Unless you are going to "Programming School" the lead-in/out and all the other stuff is annoying. Does anyone notice that it takes a LONG time to bring up the operation parameters page? I sit for 2 or 3 seconds to see mine come up. Scott

Lathe canned cycles don't work very well...search the forum and you'll see....

I use Lathe just for simple turning. (1 turret/spindle) But there are issues there as well. I'm currently programming a simple part and a boring op keeps wanting to retract through the part for no apparant reason. I've done this many times and this time it won't work (sound familiar?) Also, I have many parts that I will use a live center for and then flip the part and have no center. Once you turn on the tailstock it will never go away. So if you have to face the part after the tailstock op MC gives warning messages about hitting the tailstock even though it is turned off. Very annoying. The code works but the backplot looks stupid with the center all chewed up! Also, I'd like to avoid that whole stock flip crap and be able to work like I do in mill where I set-up work planes around the part and use different machine groups. I realize the whole stock recognition is why it works like it does but I always have to redo the stock flips when using the program as a reference for a new part. Also, I don't like having to have multiple geometry layers for 1 part. Layer 1 - op #1 Layer 2 - op #2 etc.. if something changes I have to change 2 or three layers. Not a big deal unless it is multiple changes and depending on how involved. Also, tool numbers seem to change themselves to 0??? Thanks, Scott

All, Anyone have the problem of importing operations and when selecting them they are out of sequence but after importing they are in proper sequence? Thanks, Scott

Pretty lame if you ask me....that operation should come in EXACTLY the same.

All, I have 2 parts with a 3d shaped runner in them that are a left hand and right hand version. After programmming one hand, I have another file for the opposite hand which I imported the ops including geometry and mirrored it. When I coded it the program file lengths were about 10% different. So I looked at some of the operations. Well, the imported ops had differences in the total tolerance dialogue area. The total tolerance went from .001 to .0003 thereby making the prog. larger. Some arc filtering settings were changed also. Anyone else ever see this? I think I'll be sending this one on to my reseller and CNC software. Thanks, Scott

Robert, Correct me if you I'm wrong, but I don't think #9 is what you meant. Wouldn't you just go to Files Tab in Machine Group Properties and "EDIT" (not replace) the local MD by selecting the post from the drop down list? Scott

I ended up making a MD/CD & Post for each one. When I switched posts in the local MD, all my ops went dirty. When I simply replace the MD the ops stay clean so that is the way I went. I still learned something though, that right click -> import -> all pages and select the existing CD to import is handy. It helps when making copies of control defs. Scott

I found it on page 775. It explains how to use multiple posts with the same MD. What I missed was that when you add the post to the list, save it then you need to go to any page in the CD and right click -> import -> all pages and select the existing CD to import. To switch posts on the fly, simply edit the local MD and select the diff. post.

The X4 ref. guide says a control def can link to multiple posts. It says "think of a .CONTROL file as a library of control definitions" this might be where my problem lies. Thanks...I'm going to read some more....

Del, Tried that..I can't seem to be able to make a control def out of my exising one with the diff. post. It always wants to revert to some default CD. Scott

All, I have 2 different lathe posts I need to use for the same lathe. I thought I could just add this post to the control def post list and then simply switch the post in the local copy of the machine def when needed. Doesn't seem like it works this way. When I switched the post in the MD local copy, it did it but when I posted the file it behaved as if it didn't have the correct CD. I know this because I use a different file extension that the .NC default. I also tried making a copy of my MD & CD and just change the post. When I edit the copied CD and try changing the post I get this message: "This is a new CD, save after entering your data" and then it reverts to some default control def. In short, I just need a way to simply switch between posts with the same MD & CD. Thanks, Scott

I've done this reassociate toolpaths to new geo in X4 and have not seen this problem. Are you saying that you cannot simply regen 1 operation by itself? Sounds like you might need to do a clean install of X4. I had some weird behavior (crashing) when updating folders (mach. def/control def, tool libraries etc...) until I uninstalled and reinstalled X4. Unless you get someone else with this same problem and a solution that is what I'd recommend.

You can change the R's to I & J's in the control def. You might need to switch the G02/G03's in the post. I use G32 as well. It's just like G01 with a feedrate that is sync'd. Purely point to point programming so the operator really can't do too much. Most changes need to be done in MC. Have you asked your reseller for help with this?These changes should be pretty simple for them to handle.