Be careful though. The Inch Per Revolution feedrate is along the G01 line....not along Z axis, unless it's a line parallel with Z....on the HAAS/Fanuc copy I'm using anyway. Here's my re-trace finish pass: G97 G99 S1000 M03 G0 X.7368 Z.25 X.4161 G32 X.468 Z-.5834 F.05559 (NPT thread) X.4887 Z-.5937 F.07857 (blend at 45 degrees to 9/16-18) Z-.6875 F.05556 (9/16-18 thread) G0 X.7368 (retract) Z.25 Also, I think running in single block will scrap the part. Don't know about overrides. Again, be careful. Edit: not trying to brag or anything....I've been programming CNC lathes for 10 years, 8 with various versions of Mastercam....this is the first time I've used G32 to cut a thread....just for some point of reference.

You're welcome jhjr. I figured somebody probably read through this and asked themselves why a configuration like this would be needed. It may be a space issue inside the panel. The barb end is pretty long. Also, I think this part was "designed" with the idea of cutting the threads by hand with a die....so, in the past, there was a natural blend from the chamfer on the die. Thanks for the comment on my workstation....I laughed.

Thanks everyone for your help. quote: program the taper then manualy input your z move at the end of it ex. G0 X.95 Z.1 G32 X1. Z-.75 F.062 Z-1. G0X1.2 this is how i do it and it works fine. That is exactly what I ended up doing. In Mastercam, I actually created 3 tool paths, the taper thread, a 45 degree taper into the straight thread, and then the straight thread. I ended up using a 0.0 degree infeed angle to make it easier to add the 45 degree angle to the mix. (The material is brass, so tool pressure was not a major concern. The 45 degree feature is not on the print but, in order to make the threads to the accepted pitch diameters, and not violate any length dimensions on the print, it was necessary to blend the two threads in this manner.) Anyway, then, in a text editor, I manually added the 45 degree and straight move to the NPT toolpath. For those that are curious: the part is a bulkhead fitting, used in some sort of control panel. Barbed nipple on one end, and the above thread configuration on the other end. I guess they're threading on whatever 1/4-18 NPT fitting, sticking it through the panel, and then using a 9/16-18 nut to lock it in place. Maybe CNC Software can add chain selection functionality to the threading parameters for toolpath creation. Along with the ability to have different feed rates for each individual entity along the chain. I know it's asking a lot, but it's necessary when using G32. Thanks again everyone.

It's quite tedious but, the job was run before in very small quantities by the guy I replaced. Just the final pass was coded by hand with only a few blocks. To run the job, I had to back off the tool using the X wear offset and use the wear to take the depth of cut I wanted....adjust X....re-run....adjust x....re-run. I refuse to do this again for any lot size. I'm trying to re-program it to make it a bit more efficient and easier. I think my workaround is going to be: create two separate threading toolpaths, then merge the two paths by hand in the text editor of choice. Almost as tedious, but hopefully I'll only have to do it once.

How can I use MastercamX3 to cut a tapered OD thread into a straight OD thread (1/4-18 NPT into .562 - 18, continuous)? I know I need to use G32 for this, and it posted out ok with just a tapered thread, and just a straight thread, but I need to combine the two toolpaths into one continuous thread. Is there a way to select a chain for the minor diameter instead of just a point (on the thread toolpath thread shape parameters page)? I know I don't offer any help on here but, it's not because I refuse. It's because I'm not exactly formally educated in much of anything. Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Machine is a HAAS SL-20 (no C-Axis), X3, generic machine definition that I modified, generic Fanuc post updated from V9 and slightly customized.

Sorry for bumping this.... The problem is with the tool clearance boundaries...with ANY id tool....old, new, newly created....the GUI shows "end clearance" on the side, and "side clearance" on the end of any boring bar....this is the problem and why the boundaries for all id tools are incorrect. I had to go through all my id tools in my library and re-select the end as the side, and the side as the end so the boundaries are correct based on the incorrect labeling. I have to do this for any new tool I create as well. Hope this helps.

Unhandled exception occured - same error I always get.

Can somebody please walk me through an import .tools directory....as if I am 2 years old. For some reason, I can't import my tool library without some sort of mcam error/crash, or the tool boundaries being changed.

Well, I thought I had a botched install because I deleted and reimported my .tools library and the import errored out, mcam locked/shutdown, and the tool boundaries still got messed up....so I started fresh, with a fresh install of X3, and fresh directory imports. This time the import directory did not error out, but still, all my id tool boundaries are messed up....not just the one I'm trying to use now. Maybe a corrupt .tools library? or just not importing properly through X3? I dunno....possible bug....but more than likely operator error Phil: I almost always use "tool width"....but I did try clearance angle of .5, 1, and 2 degs too. The tool has 3 end clearance with a 35 diamond insert, so it will do a 45 degree back chamfer without any problems....even if I used 3 degrees clearance on the plunge.

Figured it out.... Had to do with bad tool clearance boundaries....maybe I screwed up migrating my tool library from X2

Further Edit: Also, it behaves correctly if I have cutter comp set to control....the "no plunge into the undercut corner" problem occurs when I have cutter comp set to computer (the way I almost always use it).

I'm trying to program an ID undercut. Easiest way for me to explain it is a straight ID with a shoulder, plunge into the ID at the shoulder for the undercut. Finish pass, I often come up the shoulder face in X into the undercut, then minus in X/plus in Z to generate a 45 angle (35 incl. angle on tool) then plus in Z along the ID....chips don't pack this way I had no problem in X2 (or X, or 9, or 8) doing this....just adjust plunge parameters. X3 won't let me plunge into the corner undercut no matter what I set in plunge parameters. Help please. Edit: It won't do it if I reverse the chain to a more orthodox direction either.

Hi all. I know I probably use the mcam reference points in an unorthodox manner but, I like to use the feature to my advantage and preference. I like to NOT rapid right to the starting point of whatever cycle I am about to use to cut. Suppose G54 Z zero is the front face of a part and all the part's Z coordinates are negative. I like to rapid to whatever X diameter and say, absolute Z 1.0", then feed from there to whatever Z coordinate, say Z+.05 at F.1 per rev. The reason for this is the machine's feed override knob does not affect rapid rate....the machine has a seperate rapid overide switch (100%, 50%, 1%). I like to have a little more control the first time through and have that control on a single knob (instead of trying to find the rapid switch). So my question is: how can I get the move from Z1.0 to Z.05 at a feed rate of .1/rev instead of a rapid move and still maintain the rapid move from home to Z1.0? As crazy as this sounds, I always edit the program and add the G01Z___F.1. It's getting old. What I get: T0505 G96G99S600M3 G0X1.89Z1. Z.05 G71_ _ What I want: T0505 G96G99S600M3 G0X1.89Z1. G01Z.05F.1 G71_ _ In V9.1, I could set the default reference points values (I set mine to absolute Z1.0 because I usually use the front face for G54 Z0.0 and I'm comfortable with the 1 inch safety move) and just remember to check the Ref. Points box for every tool I wanted to use them for. You can do it in X also, but it's bugged and it doesn't keep the values after you save it in Machine Def. -> Edit axis combinations -> Reference Points. So I have to key in the Z1.0 for every tool, or: Edit selected operations -> Edit common parameters -> check the ref. points box and key it in once for all tools. Can this be tweaked in the post? If so, please help me out. I do know about the rapid moves to maximum feedrate checkbox....but I want the rapid moves to be rapids....I just want the move from mcam reference point to cutting cycle start point to be a feed move. Sorry for being soooo long winded.

Thanks Terry and Mike.

It did the "linearization" thing again today. wtf? It's not a spline....3 lines filleted by 2 arcs. Linearization doesn't even come up for me to change it. If one alters the Machine Definition or the Control Definition (through MD) in mid file creation, all the ops in the toolpath manager should reflect the changes and/or require regen....right? Does the MD/CD get saved locally within the individual file even if you access CD through MD???? I think some of the old (corrupted) settings in CD stayed with the file....I'm thinking more than this, but specifically, the max spindle speed posted at the old value (1500)....I changed the machine's max spindle in MD -> right click lathe chuck properties (3000) but the tool's max spindle speed stayed at 1500....I dunno....that probaly came from the "edit common parameters" right click override....too late for me to check....file was shift+deleted. Another for instance. Say I create a file....everything is ok. A week later, after I changed and saved the MD/CD, I open the file. Does the file update to the new MD/CD, or does it use the previous MD/CD? (gonna try this on my own right now.) Or should I ask what is the intended behavior of X in this situation? I said "screw it" and deleted the file completely. (not gonna give up on X.) Started over with a new file/2d geometry creation and voila....got the G02's and G03's I wanted....still with the old post....so I don't think it's the post for sure now. Just thought I'd keep those updated that were curious.