We just got a space navigator today. I think it is the low budget 3D mouse. We loaded the drivers from the disk that came with it. It seems to work great and we have had no problems with mastercam since it was installed. If it works out good for us we will probably upgrade to space pilots.

Paul, Also look into getting X+ it's free and is very good for creating setup sheets and tool lists. Among other things it will give you snapshots of your graphics area without showing all the toolbars so you can incorporate pictures into your setup folders. You can easily find the link to download it on the forum by searching for X+.

John, As always thanks. I will look into those suggestions on Monday.

We have a 4-axis vertical mill that has a window frame on the rotary axis. There is very little clearance on this particular machine. If the frame is not positioned at A0. during a tool change a crash will occur. I need to edit my post so I get the following code before every toolchange. G0G91G28Z0. G28Y0. M11 G0G90G54A0. M10 T#M06 I also need the following code for all rotary moves. G0Z8.5 G91G28Y0. M11 G0G90G54A(whatever) M10 I will be starting with the latest version of the MPMASTER post. It is already set to universally lock onto G54. If someone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

Paul, As you know I am no Post expert. I believe you can get rid of the A axis call outs but going into your post and setting question 164 to no. As far as staging the tool do the following. 1. Settings 2. Machine definition manager (accept the warning) 3. Click on the edit control definition Icon It's on the top third one from the right. 4. Under control topics click on "Tool" then check the box to enable staged tool routines. Then save and it should be permanent for that machine definition. Can't help you out with the T1M6 issue. Hope this helps

Damjan, Thanks for the reply. I tried the start hole toolpath and it worked pretty good. I was hoping for a setting that would allow the same thing built into the pocket toolpath under the entry/ramp section. The start hole toolpath wants to use a drill, which you can go back and change after it creates the operation but that is just extra work. I like to peck with the same endmill I'm pocketing with. When I plunge without pecking a large chip sometimes wraps around my endmill and I have to hit feed hold to blow it off. I guess I could just as easily enter with ramp or helix. That always seem to work as well. I was just looking for one more option.

In a pocket toolpath for entry method aside from helix and ramp I would like to see an option for a chip break or peck drill cycle. This way a could peck drill to a certain depth then pocket.

If you are doing multiple operations on a part, have a different WCS for each operation and want the STL file from your previous operation to line up with your next operation there is a quick check you can do before you verify. 1. Go to stock set up in your operation manager 2. For shape select File and select the STL model from your previous operation. 3. Under display select solid When you retrun to the graphics area you should now see your STL stock in transparent red overlapping your part. The way it is matching up here is the same position it will be in when you veriy. If it does not line up the way you want it to you may have to go back to the stock set up page, go to stock view and change the view selection until it matches up.

I believe your reseller can give you another temp code to get you going until the issue with your permanent code is resolved. Your temp code should also warn you a few weeks before it will expire each time you open Mastercam.

Thad, We have several machines that we try to keep as identical as possible. Not all of the tools are the same but we have standard tools that we always use and they are exactly the same on all the machines. It makes switching from machine to machine very easy not only for the programmer but also for the setup guy. I would suggest comming up with a standard and make the machines as identical as possible. We have it set up so we never need to get a tool length offset (unless it is a non standard tool) or pick up a part zero. If your machines match it will be much easier for you to accomplish what you want with the tool libraries.

Then select the editor you want from the drop down list

1.Settings 2.configures 3.start/exit

routerman We are located in Aston, PA. I moved here from California a few years ago.

JW, Like David said your chain is probably going in the wrong direction. Your chain should be going counter-clockwise assuming you want to climb cut. Also make sure your compensation direction is set to left instead of right. Another option besides contouring the slot is to use the slot mill toolpath. It is one of the circle paths on the toolpaths drop down menu.

Mcam Nut, I can see your point and I realize every shop is different and every situation is unique. We have been expanding over the past year so there have been a lot of extra tasks that needed to be done aside from just making good parts. If the operator has idle time we try to figure out how he can spend it most productively. Our owner does not like operators to sit down or just stand around and watch machines run. That is one of the reasons we don't have one operator for every machine. As a programmer I still set up machines and run parts on a daily basis. It is a very demanding evnviroment to work in no matter what your position in the company. They also take very good care of us here so I don't mind the extra effort.

I place everything on seperate levels and name them. Level 1 solid with no edge curves (grey) Level 2 wireframe stock (green) Then I create all my toolpath geometry on seperate levels using red starting at level 3 and I name them. I select my depths directly from the solid. Instead of creating surfaces for 3D toolpaths I usually select faces on the solid. This eliminates extra geometry. I put fixtures and other eye candy on level 100+ and name them.

We have several open machines so cleaning is a big priority. We have one operator and one setup/operator for nine mills. Our operator usually runs 4 machines and cleans. Our set/up guy is usually running 1 machine and setting up another. The other programmer and myself are usually programming, setting up and running brand new jobs on the other machines. We do not like operators to sit down. In fact we just let a guy go a while back because he would push the button and have a seat. I never sat down as an operator unless I was deburring or polishing and I always cleaned. We have a relaxed fun enviroment but there is always something to do in the shop. In my opinion operators should keep the machines running, check parts, keep the machines in good working condition, keep their area clean, and in our case do the reqiured paper work for each job.

John, You are correct it is Misc Int 9 to lock on first WCS. In my mpmaster post for V9 I did the following to universally lock on to G54. To universally lock on to G54, in psof change: code: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sav_mi9 = mi9 sav_workofs = workofs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- to: code: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sav_mi9 = 1 sav_workofs = 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After doing this I never had to use a Misc Int and always get G54 with any rotation move. I have since updated the post to an MCX2MR2 post and it still works the same. When I get some free time I want to try the same method with the MPMASTER for X2 and see if it works. Has anyone used this method with the latest MPMASTER for X2MR2.

After using X2MR2 for a few months now I will never go back to V9.

Ron, Thanks for sharing the link to your first post in the mastercam forum. It was interesting to see how you started off in here. Also thanks for all your help.

I do like Bob and billystein. By selecting a point in the center then chaining the arc with use entry point selected, mastercam will automatically calculate the line length if have a value of 0 for line in your lead in/out parameters.

John, Thanks for that info. Thats a great feature that will really help me out.

We use the T1 D31 method on our thirty tool machines and T1 D61 on our sixty tool machines. G-code you need the mastercam post reference guide.

Thanks Ron That is exactly what I am looking for. I will try it out tommorrow. Have a good one.

When making a tool list from X+ how do I control what information about the tool is output to the tool list. I normally create a tool list then export it to excel then I have to go in and delete all the information I don't need before I print the tool list. Is there a way to have X+ only put desired information on the tool list? For example only tool type, tool name, tool number, corner radius.