Dual Xeon here, and Lovin it.

Did you try RAM Saver?

John, do you possibly have an ATI video card??

-Colin

Hi John,

Have you tried running RAM Saver? This utility will rebuild your display database. I have seen it fix several weird display problems in Mastercam. My guess is that its some issue with the geometry database/graphics card not auto-highlighting the surface edge. You might also try a fresh reboot on the whole computer.

I'm just taking a guess...

Thanks,

Colin Gilchrist

The Boeing Company

By the way, we have Camtasia Studio. For $120 its the best video recording and editing software I've seen. Its easy, cheap, and quick to learn. I also bought Techsmith's (makers of camtasia) program called Snagit. Its a screen capture software for about $40 that is really nice for capturing screen shots of what ever you want to capture. Well worth the money.

-Colin

Yes you can create a video, but with the Animation option, you might be able to rotate, pan, and zoom to get a different perspective on the simulation. That would be way better than just a video.

Thanks for the info though...

Colin Gilchrist

The Boeing Company

Gilberto,

We might be interested in using the 3D animator to do setup/part load documents for our 5 Axis routers. Do you have any information on what it takes to create/maintain the animation from Mastercam? The other thing that comes to mind would be animations of our toolpath verifications. I have proposed an idea internally in our organization to create a video(animation) of our toolpaths from our verifcation software. We use Vericut and we would like the operators to be able to play back the animation of the verified toolpath without needing an additional seat of vericut(and without having to train the operators how to use vericut). Being able to create an animation showing the tool, toolpath, part, and fixture would be super cool. Even if it would just have the toolpath trace(backplot) and the fixture it would be beneficial.

I noticed that as the animation of the mold seperation was occuring I was able to pan, zoom, and rotate the model. This functionality would be stellar if we could do the same thing with either a Backplotted toolpath or with a simulation from Vericut so our operators would know what moves the machine is going to make before they dry run a program. Currently our operators run the machines in Dry Run for each new part. Because they don't know what to expect, they run the machine very slowly and take a lot of time for the Dry Run.

By the way, we don't do any surface roughing on our 5 axis machines. We mostly do 5 axis trimming, so most of our programs aren't that complex. There is the occasional exception, but for the most part our programs are under 10,000 lines of code.

If you would like more feedback or are interested in discussing possible applications of your technology, feel free to contact me directly.

Best regards,

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

Mastercam Focal

The Boeing Company

[email protected]

Hi John,

I'm taking a stab in the dark, but have you checked your tool settings in the Machine Group Properties for each machine group that you are using? We have noticed some weird things happening with the defaults on this page. Specifically, the "User defined" radio button always defaults back to "From tool". Also, up might need to go into your "operation defaults" in each machine group and check the default tool for that type of operation.

Colin Gilchrist

I'm with you on that James. If you just keep updating an old post you miss out on the opportunity to learn all the new features of the Post language and you are not staying current with Mastercam's new technology.

Version X introduced some really nice functionality in the Post. New Comment options and Coolant options come to mind. It is also important to understand how the MD/CD is structured in the post. The MPMaster post also includes some really great features for Min/Max travel, Tool tables, and Stock parameters for 3rd party verification. If you don't use or want any of these features, then a simple post update should work.

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

The Boeing Company

www.boeing.com

Striko,

Get the Dell. It is an awsome box. I have a Precision 370 here at work and it kicks butt. Go for the best video card (Nvidia Quadro) that you can get your boss to spring for (512mb if you can) I have a 256mb quadro 3450 and I love it. If you can go for the Precision 690. You can pick it up with the 1kw power supply and the 3.0Ghz chip for about $1900.00. You could get the Precision 380 for about $1100.00. Get the most for your money by getting the fastest you can get now. Mastercam may not use dual core or dual chip technology yet, but three years from now???

I love my Dell (is that a bad thing?).

Just my 2 cents,

Colin Gilchrist

www.multiaxis.com

Thad, You are very welcome!

Bryon,

The other thing to be aware of is that when you are breaking your splines, Mastercam will create a "trimmed spline", that is, a spline of the original length that is now trimmed to a point. The problem is that it can change the end condition of the spline at the end point (trim point) when you are driving a toolpath. Use the WholeSpline Chook to create a new shorter spline(s).

From the Mastercam help file:

WholeSpline C-Hook:

Use this C-Hook to convert a trimmed spline to a whole spline. When you trim a spline, Mastercam simply truncates the displayed spline but internally retains the original shape. If you choose to extend a trimmed spline, it will follow its original path. After using this C-Hook, the trimmed portions of the spline are discarded. If you later choose to extend the spline, it will not follow the original path since that information is no longer available.

Thanks,

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

Mastercam Focal

www.boeing.com

Hi Thad,

The reason your points lie off the spline is that your spline is NURBS. A NURBS (Non-Uniform, Rational, Bezier Spline for the uninitiated) Spline is created by a set of control points which lie off the spline and pull the spline in the direction of the control points. To get points which lie on the spline you must have a Parametric spline, which is defined by a set of points which lie directly on the spline itself. To create a Parametric spline, go into the System Configuration and select the CAD Settings page. Change the "Spline/surface creation type" to Parametric.

Now use the Create Curves Spline function to create a new Parametric spline from the NURBS spline. Go to Create, Spline, Create Curves Spline. Select the spline(s) you want to convert using the chaining dialog box. Press ok to close the chaining dialog box. On the ribbon bar set your tolerance to .0001 and press the apply button. You should now have a set of Parametric splines. Create, Point, Node points will now give you points on the spline.

Hope that helps,

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

The Boeing Company

Hi guys,

I've noticed something not behaving correctly in MR2. With 5 axis Curve toolpaths, when you input different heights for the Feed Plane and Retract plane, Mastercam ignores the seperate values and Feeds/Retracts to the highest value entered.

Try creating a 5 axis curve toolpath on something simple. I did one using 4 arcs with the tool control set to lines. I set a 3" retract plane and a feed plane of 1". As the tool moves in between the holes it retracts at rapid to 3", moves to the next hole, and then feeds from 3", not from 1".

The other problem we are running into with 5 axis is the Clearance option. We really need this option on 5 axis to be able to use the "Use clearance only at the start and end of the operation" check box. Currently this feature does not work for us. It just functions as an "override" for the retract plane. If you enable clearance, then Mastercam retracts to the clearance plane between every chain. I'm going to send these in to QC, but I wanted to let everyone know about these issues. Could someone else check on this as well? I might just be losing my mind slowly.....

Thank you,

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

Mastercam Focal

The Boeing Company

[email protected]

Hi guys,

I've come across another problem. When you create a 5 axis toolpath that uses the Entry/Exit option, the entry move uses the Plunge feedrate and the Exit move uses the Retract feedrate.

We had a programmer recently who had the "Rapid retract" check box turned on. When his tool did its Exit move off the part the machine went into rapid mode (800IPM). He was expecting only the retract along the tool axis ("Z") to be at rapid. Because the tool was still in the material it snapped right off.

I would like to see one of two fixes. Either seperate feedrate controls for the Entry/Exit moves, or to have the Entry/Exit moves use the operation's feedrate.

There seem to be quite a few problem with the basic funtionality of the 5 axis toolpaths since MR2. We did not seem to have these problems (or we just didn't catch them) in MR1. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the new advanced 5 axis toolpaths?

Could someone else verify these problems?

Thanks,

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

Mastercam Focal

The Boeing Company

[email protected]

Soon everyone will have to feel the power of X.....

Time to live in the 21st century. Upgrade soon guys.....

-Colin

Hi Guys,

I'd like to share the method that we use at work to avoid problems with Backup and Autosave. This setup will help minimize all of the problems that people have reported with Autosave.

The main reason we have developed this method of storing our files is system stability. We recently completed some functional testing with Autosave/Backup and we have determined that Autosave can lead to file instablilty if you allow it to overwrite your current MCX file in some instances. Because of this we have implemented the following procedure:

Begin by opening Windows Explorer and create two new folders on your C: drive.

C:MCAUTOSAVE

and

C:MCBACKUP

Now open the System Configuration dialog box in Mastercam and select the Files Page.

In the MCX Backup Files section, activate the "Active" and "Use backup directory" check boxes. I leave my Max limit at 10, but you can select the number of backup files that you would like to be in your backup cycle.

In the "Data paths" list box, select the "Backup files (MCX)" path. Click on the file explorer browse button and navigate to the C:MCBACKUP folder that you created previously.

In the "Autosave" section of the Files Page, Activate the "Active" and the "Overwrite existing file name" check boxes. Make sure the other three check boxes are NOT ACTIVE.

I am making the this statement strongly because the "Save using active file name" and "Prompt before saving file" switches are the main culprits causing the Autosave feature to be unstable.

The last thing to do is double click in the "File name:" entry field. Double clicking selects the entire string. Now press backspace, then type:

C:MCAUTOSAVEAUTOSAVE.MCX

Save your configuration file and you are set.

Now every time Autosave kicks in it will overwrite the AUTOSAVE.MCX file. NOT your current part file. It will also overwrite the AUTOSAVE.MCX file silently, which means that your current part file (the one loaded in memory) will not be effected by the Autosave kicking in. You especially want to avoid Autosave kicking in while you are in the middle of generating a toolpath (0 kbyte file dump anyone?). The next time you have a crash in Mastercam, open the AUTOSAVE.MCX file and do a File, Save As to recover it.

Every time you press the save button, Mastercam will save your current part file and then will save a "Backup" copy of your file into the C:MCBACKUP folder. With each successive press of the save button a new incremented file will be saved (-100, -101, -102, ect.). Once in a while you will need to go and clean out the backup folder. I open the folder in windows explorer, sort by date modified and dump anything older than 2 weeks.

Other people will have their own opinions on this issue, so feel free to give your method/advice on this matter.

I hope this helps,

Colin Gilchrist

IRC NC Programming

Mastercam Focal

The Boeing Company

www.boeing.com

----------------------------

Mastercam X MR2, Multi Axis, Solids, Prodrill

Dell 670, Dual 3.4 Xeons, 4GB RAM, Quadro FX 3450

Good idea Roger....

I'm stealing that one

I agree totally guys,

I would love to see CNC Software work on making Mastercam more reliable and bullet proof, not just adding new features. right now I am fighting the Stock setup in regards to multiple machine groups and multiple WCS planes used to cut our parts. The stock always has to be manipulated with XFORM STL which is a total pain. We have only had these stock problems with MR2, MR1 and SP1 worked great!

John,

One thing that we have verified here is that the X+ utilities seems to make the Operations manager less stable than normal. If you open a part file that was previously programmed, sometimes you might notice that some of the folder icons in the operations manager are gray and some are yellow. This behavior does not seem to occur on our computers that do not have the X+ utilities installed. We have had instances of parts coming into Mastercam with all the operations marked as dirty. Open the same file in a session of Mastercam without the X+ utilites (a different PC) and the operations are not dirty anymore. The problem we have in reporting this is consistency. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Has anyone else experienced any of this behavior? I have seen several threads about people opening files and having all the toolpaths bomb out.

Something else to consider would be locking your operations once you know that they are good.

Hope that helps,

Colin Gilchrist

Apparently this functionality has been lost from Version 9. I too have noticed this. My work around is to use the Screen Statistics function to give you a count of the current number of splines. Then do an Edit Simplify. Now use the screen statistics function again to see how many are left and how many new arcs and lines you get. I meant to forward this along to QC a long time ago but got swept away with work.

-Colin

Try using one viewport.....

Just kidding, send the file and a report to [email protected]

My guess is it could be a video card issue. Try turning off the toolpath repaint and the "Display surface/plane intersections" in the Toolpaths section of the Configuration file.

Thanks,

Colin

I agree Arenner, it would be nice to have a Surface Pocket - Restmill.

The restmill operation does work like a Surface Contour, but it also has two very useful options in the Restmill Parameters page. Stepover (as in X,Y stepover) and Extension distance. If you use the Stepover setting you can have the tool take multiple passes at each Z depth level. By manipulating the shape of your tool center boundary you should be able to avoid most of the air cutting that occurs with a regular surface rough pocket operation. I use lots of Restmill roughing these days, it gives you some great options to cut only where there is material.

Hope that helps,

Colin

Try a Surface - Rough - Restmill operation. Restmill should analyze the remaining stock using an STL file that you specify. Mastercam will then create a toolpath that machines away only the remaining stock. I have had great success with this toolpath in doing some stock recognition, although you will have to play with the stock to leave and maximum step values to achieve your desired result. Also, you will want to use a different sized tool if you are having the operation analyze the remaining stock from a "roughing tool diameter".

Thanks,

Colin

P.S. Be sure you use a containment boundary with the Restmill toolpath

You are quite welcome Rick.

Fakanal,

The only way to accurately create a "3D" chamfer in Mastercam is to create the chamfer as surfaces and hemstich them. Mastercam does not automatically recognize or compensate for the surrounding surface (Wall) geometry with a Contour toolpath, so you will get a chamfer that varies depending on the configuration (contact angles) of your part. If you post your file to the FTP site, someone here can probably help you get the toolpath you desire.

If you really want to do the part with the "3D contour" toolpath, you will have to break up the toolpath into several seperate operations. Then I would use the incremental depth settings and the "XY stock to leave" setting to adjust each individual toolpath. Its a PITA, but you can eventually get the desired result. The real drawback with using a Spot drill to do this type of work is that you must define the tool in Mastercam exactly as it exists in the real world. Most of the time when I do this type of programming I would put the actual tool on an optical comparator. If your tool angle or flat on the tip of the tool is different from what you programmed, the chamfer that is cut on the machine will not be correct. For that reason I much prefer to hemstich any 3D chamfer with a ball end endmill. Then if you need to change tools, you know it will always cut correctly.

Thanks,

Colin Gilchrist

Hi Rick,

To get your toolbars to stay do the following:

Use the Settings - Customize dialog box to customize your toolbars and your Right mouse button. Once you have things setup the way you like them, Press the Toolbar States button. You can also get to Toolbar States through the Settings menu.

In toolbar states dialog box type in a new name (like "Rick"). Then press the save button. There should be a new toolbar state named "Rick" in the toolbar states list box. Click on the "Rick" toolbar state to highlight it and then press the "Default" check box. The Rick Toolbar state will now be loaded when you start mastercam.

To save your configuration settings:

Go to Settings - Configuration - Start/Exit page. On the Start/Exit page you can choose which configuration file you would like Mastercam to load on startup.

Hope that helps,

Colin