What is the easiest way to post the same part to different machines with X? With V9, all I had to do was change the post processer. It seems now that I have to retoolpath using a defined machine which has the postprocesser associated with it. Thanks Glenn

I have contacted CNC software. We will also still get training from our reseller. I am just trying to get/test things so that our switch will go as smoothly as possible. Thanks Glenn

Rich, In V9 if I created a fillet, say .25 between 2 lines. Used them in creating or triming a solid and in a toolpath. Then found out that I made a mistake and the the fillet should have been .125. You could go in and analyze the fillet, select the redifine button, then use the fillet function again to redefine the fillet to a .125, if you had it set to trim it would trim your lines. Then you just had to go to solids manager and regen the solid, and toolpath manager and regen the toolpaths. This would work probably 95% of the time. Sometimes you would have a little problems if it affected several faces of the solid. Generally it would work really well, and very quickly would fix your mistake. You can very easily redefine any entity in the analyze function in V9. doesn't seem anywhere near as easy in X. HTH Glenn

Pete, Adding the "'s seem to work. Thanks. Can you help with this as well _______________________________________ Can't edit a fillet(arc) and make it tangent to 2 lines. It is cool that you can delete it and recreate a new one and the toolpath will recreate using it, but it messes up the solid. _______________________________________ Thanks Glenn

This is what I have in that line C:mcamxmastercam.exe x:CollaborationCNCDataTemplates_NCPMCAMconfigCNC MILLS.config with x: being a mapped server drive. This is how we have 9 set up and it works great. With X, it just uses the config on the computer, not the server. This way we have everyone using the same set up. Saves me lots of headaches. Glenn

Mick, Why didn't CNC Software at least have the editor do the same things that CIMCO, Preditor, and most other NC editors do? I am really disapointed as to how lacking the editor is. This was a huge step backwards for you guys. Glenn

Yes, I walked thru the transition guide. We created a shortcut icon that we put on all the mastercam seats that we have here with V9. It had the path to the config file after the .exe I tried it on X and it doesn't work. On page 61 in the intro to mastercam book it says that "Note: the .CONFIG file type and a fixed "save as" laocation (Mastercam Config directory) are required and cannot be changed". I have called mastercam about this. They have no answer for me yet. I know that there is still tons to learn. I am just not that impressed with all the bells and whistles. I believe in the old kiss rule(keep it simple stupid). Glenn

Major is an understatement. Let see, can't put config file on server to keep it common with everyone. Can't create generic toolpaths and then post to a specific machine. Can't edit a fillet(arc) and make it tangent to 2 lines. It is cool that you can delete it and recreate a new one and the toolpath will recreate using it, but it messes up the solid. The new editor sucks for me. If I had a program that I commented as I was running it, I can't just do a control arrow key to the new program. So far I am not impressed. I know that it was a big change, but can't see how this is bigger, better, and faster. Hope that with more work and training that I will become more impressed. Glenn P.S. Maybe this is my lack of knowledge of X, or that it is just hard to teach an old dog new tricks. But I'll keep trying (for awhile).

This was explained to me years ago as units. That follows what TNANNI was YELLING to ya. Inch per inch, foot per foot. HTH Glenn

Thanks for the replies. Glenn

We use a digitizer table. This allows you to only use the stuff you really want. Glenn

That is what I was/am looking at. Just not sure that I understand it all. Was wondering if anyone had some more practical reasoning as to what some of the differences are and when they are useful. Thanks for the reply. Glenn

Anyone ever used this and understand what it really does? I just learned about it helping Thad in another post. I am trying to read/understand the help lesson right now. Any help in understanding it would be greatly appriciated. Thanks Glenn

If I use Kannon's settings, I got an error. It said to increase tool path allocations to 50 mb's, or to use the TPCFG.DLL chook to disable fzt toolpathing or something like that. I used the chook and then it worked. I then reopened it with my normal settings and regenerated it and it failed to work properly. Used the chook, unchecked the constant Z operations and BINGO it works great. I can have all the boxes of the chook check or unchecked except for the unchecked the constant box. Give it a try Thad and see if it will work. Then we should let mastercam know. I would think that this is a bug. Glenn P.S. I checked on 10 of our puters here, none would work. No real suprise though, we have our config file on the server so that everyone uses the same setup.

Thad, It does the same thing here. I can try it on a couple of other puters as well. I'll let you know what I find out. Glenn

Got it, first thing that I noticed, is that the nci file size is 81.7, on Thad's it is 80.0. Yours does look good, but if I regen it, it goes back to bad. I think that it must be a system tolerance thing. Here are my settings First page Allocations 16000 32000 100 86000 128000 2nd page Tolerances 0.000001 0.0001 0.0002 0.0005 100.0 0.0002 0.0005 How do they compare to yours?

I wonder if it could be a system setting difference between our puters?

Kannon, Would you send it to me as well? Did you actually select all surfaces, or just click on the select all button? Thanks Glenn

Isn't dxf just 2D, and drw 3D? Glenn

Kannon, It didn't work for me here. I also tried extending the 11 center surfaces 1". That doesn't work either. It does work if I check the finish pass box on the pocketing parameter screen. Good Luck Thad. Remember it does work for me if I create a single ruled surface from your top edge curves and then extend that surface. HTH Glenn

Thad, I can't tell you why, but I think that it has something to do with your surface creation. I created a ruled surface along the 2 upper chains, extended it 2" in each direction and made it a drive surface and it would plunge outside the part all the way to the bottom. HTH Glenn P.S. I ususally extend a surface rather than create another. I will try that on this and see if it will fix it.

We have them give us a dxf file of the draw entities for use in Mcam. If they convert the space to draw before converting, you should get everything. HTH Glenn

Which xxxxor control? We run the 8055 I believe and use R all the time. Glenn

You can also check the optimize box and it will create a path that will fix the arcs smaller than the tool radius. You just have to remember that you didn't really get the proper radius in those spots. HTH Glenn BTW, I hate wear comp. I like to use full/control. I also leave the optimize box unchecked to start. If I get this message then I know that I have to finish the path with a smaller cutter. I then will check the box and do a remachine with a smaller tool. JM2C

quote: So you're curious about..? -------------------- C.D. Moffatt Manufacturing Engineer Harmonic Drive Technologies ------------------------------- No Brain, No Pain Sorry, didn't finish my thought. I was curious how many people was really encourage to get maintenance just to get X? I just know that our reseller was very careful in talking about it, and made NO promises about X what-so-ever. He just said that we would get it, and all future upgrades with the agreement. Glenn