We have a machine with a fanuc OI control that uses a card reader and RS232. When we switch from one to another we have to change some settings in the control. The card works on one channel and the RS232 cable works on another. Is it possible these settings were changed in you control.

CJep, I have the all latest updates and maintenance releases for X2. Everything was working great then I did a clean windows install and reloaded X2 and X4. The only problem I have is with verify in X2. I don't have X3. My post has been edited properly thanks to some help from members of this forum. I've have never been a fan of updating posts. I prefer to start fresh with the newest version of mpmaster for each release of mastercam. Its been my experience that each time you update a post you lose some functionality. I noticed your from Philadelphia. I work in Aston PA right around the corner.

Only reason for X2 is I have a bullet proof post for a 4-axis vertical mill. It's a modified mpmaster post. This machine has a lot of clearance issues so it required a lot of tweaking. I haven't had much luck with the post updater so I usually use X2 for this machine. I'm actually sucking it up right now and redoing the job in X4. I'll tweak the post as I go along. I still would like to to fix this issue. I am rotating the stock in verify dynamically with a space pilot. It does the same thing when I use the arrow keys on the keyboard to rotate the stock.

Since I installed a new hardrive and reinstalled windows I am having verify display issues. When I rotate my stock in verify the screen keeps flashing back to the graphics display area. It only happens when I rotate my stock in verify. Graphics card is a Quadro FX4800. Verify works fine in X4. I messed with a bunch of the nvidia settings but can't fix the issue. Any help is appreciated.

westerfieldc, Are you sure you are creating a new WCS and not a new tool plane. If you want rotation moves leave WCS set to top and create new tool planes. If you want to make a certain side of your part the top of your part then create a new WCS. One way to see if you did this correctly is to select gview top after you created the new WCS and you sould be looking down at the side of the part you set to top.

Mcam Nut, I may be able to create surfaces or wireframe for the geometry that needs to be machined and send you only the surfaces and wireframe. I will have to look into that. I have a few hot jobs to knock out first. I'll get in touch with you when I start to work on this job. I really appreciate all the help I'm getting from everyone.

Thanks for all the info. This job was pushed back a little bit. When I start to program it I'll try all these suggestions and let you guys know what works. Thanks again

We may need a little more information. What specifically is it that is making the setup take so long.

Thanks Jmick I'll try that tommorrow

I know you get the warning when you open an additional session of mastercam. I do it all the time and haven't had a problem yet. Sometimes I have up to 4 sessions opened at a time. I'm not sure if the copy paste method works unless 2 sessions are opened at the same time.

I accidentally installed the German version of X+ for MCX4. It does not work and I can't unistall it. Does a anyone know how to uninstall it? Thanks

jdowe could you send it to [email protected] thanks

Thanks for the replies. I can't put the file on the FTP. I would like to see the sample part. Can you put that on the FTP site. If not I can give you my email. I just don't want to post it for all the world to see.

Here's a better way. Open two session of mastercam. One that has the geometry you want to merge and one that is the file you want to merge it into. Select the goemetry to merge then edit/copy. Then pull up your other session and select edit paste. You can copy and paste from one MCX file to another.

If you use file/save/some you can save only certain entities then merge them. There might be a faster way.

This is my first time making a part like this and I need help selecting what toolpaths to use. I will be running this part on a Fadal-5-axis vertical mill. The thickness and the diameter will already be turned to size and the middle hole will be to size when the parts comes to me. I plan on locating the part and holding it down with the middle hole. I do not know how to mill the three cutouts and the chamfer that cuts into the OD. Any help is appreciated. Here is a picture of the part. I can supply more pics if needed.

No I didn't Chris. That link is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks

The reinstall was very easy and everything is back to normal. The only problem I'm having is tracking down the hole-axis C-hook for X4.

Thanks for all the great advice. Due to the coolant limmitations on this machine I think I am going to have to rough it with a regular 2D contour using a roughing endmill. Core Mill or Dynamic Mill would work great if I had high powered coolant to help clear the chips. The material is 304 SS and the depth of cut is 1.500. Core Mill and Dynamic Mill are faster but I'll have to wait until I can move this job to a newer machine. Thanks again.

Is there a way to control the lead in on this toolpath. Some of my stock varies in size and I want to leave some extra space so I don't plunge into the material on the first pass. The material is rectangular and the toolpath starts from the outside taking multiple passes to remove the corners.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Rickster, Thanks for the info that's also an option but I want to go with the clean install.

Currently I am running X2 and X4 on my computer. Tommorrow I am going replace my hard drive with a bigger one. I plan to do a clean install of windows XP on the new hardrive then reinstall both versions of mastercam. Before removing the old drive I am going to copy all of my MCX2 files and MCX4 files to our server. I am also going to to copy all of my machine/control defs, posts, and config files to the server. This way after I reinstal mastercam I can just put the files back and everything should be back to normal. Is there anything else I should do to make the reinstall easier?

I use MPMaster for all of our 3-axis fadal work and we have a custom 5-axis post for doing 5-axis work. MPMaster will also work great if your doing four axis fadal work. Make sure your machine is set to Format 2. MPMaster spits out G54 G55 etc. Remember on a fadal G54=E1 G55=E2. Either code will work. Also I set the home postion for the Y-axis at Y10. if the machine is a 4020. This way at the end of the program when MPMaster gives you G28 Y0. your machine will move the table forward so you can change the part. If you let me know how your machine is setup I can probably answer any questions you may have. I always prefer MPMaster because it is so easy to customize.

1. Click the backplot icon 2. Click the options button (the excalmation point) 3. Uncheck simulate rotary axis