You will also find delta promp for the z axis on machines as, it is used for the reference plane in a peck cycle. Every axis that can produce compensation for a given axis will have a delta included for that ability.

Solids by far is always cleaner than geometry in the fact that, what can exist in wire frame may not fly in solids. Owens Community College is where i am currently taking classes. They have a deal with Haas so they also get the newest and best toys. Modeling a part in solids not only gives a water tight model but is much easier to render a finished part in a third of the time it takes to do a wire frame. Output for edge curves or,extruding a boss or, cavity is dead nut easy. Solids Rock.

You can also tell if you will get a SOLID EDGE, SOLID FACE or, SOLID BODY by the shape at the cursor. SOLID EDGE looks like a thin peice of bar stock. SOLID FACE looks like a 2D square and, SOLID BODY looks like a 3D square. Hope this helps.

A cool trick for letters or numbers is to use a pencil toolpath and,the Drag function to move youre fonts. With drag you have the option of translatingthem from one spot to the next or, spinning them in different degrees of angle. Quick and easy. Hope this helps.

Check to see if Auto cursor is grabing twice . If youre chain is broke, it may be grabbing ,not only the center but, an end point wich will give you the extra selection. I would also window around it with the Mag glass to make the selection process easier to see or, use a point ,instead of a chained arc. Hope this helps.

A quick and easy fix to bring upmenu opperations without clicking the menu is to learn the keyboard strokes (ie) Done= D/ DoIt= D/ X-form= X/ Translate= T.

The AMD 64 bit processor is by far, the fastest at floating point number calculation then any other chip on the market. The Pentium series are good but Hyper thread technologie still has only one through put , like series . The AMD utilizes two pipe technology like parallel, which is way faster and, more reliable.

I used to run the Okuma twin turrets and,they are very stable machines. As far as thermal change goes, ive actually used the ware settings to keep up untill the opp temp peaked. As far as programming, they are easy to program. You can use the standard variables or (basic) as in , if 1 is > 2 go to. Very solid. I used to run bearings with .0005 tolerences and,up to 10 different V Tapers. Flawless.

If you use a g81 as apposed to a g84 you will miss the (M42) code that you need when threading, witch gives you torque control with the spindle. On a Haas this is the High gear override. Good post.

The consecutive hole paths may be because the spindel is rotating to each new point for the drill cycle. Check the post to see if you are getting the spindle rotation after each drill cycle.

Thread sizes are given with geometry to the thread in mind. It is true to say, if you need a 1/56 you must use the tool made for the job. Usually, when we do threads, depending on the tool, we do three to four passes with a finish break to clean the apex of the thread. If we have them the best tool i find is a four flute Thread Hob. Good post. S.Hall

Correct me if im wrong but isn't g17=xy ,g18=zx and, g19=yz. A helical move is possible by programming the linear axis that is not in the selected plain. This third axis is interpolated along the specified axis in a linear manner as the other two axis are moved in the circular motion. the speed of each axis is controlled so that the helical rate matches the feed rate.Is it for an arc at a corner in a pocket or,for an external contour. S.Hall

Sorry, I should have realized youre NOT cutting threads based upon the g2 commands in the post. I will also ask, Why do you have the I and,J both set as negative values. That is not correct usage of the code. as, the movement towards the final quadrant specifies which code receives negative value through the (incremental) move which is what a g2 or g3 is. If you start your arc from quadrant 1 in g2 CCW. I=/.344 j=/-.5337 as it is moving toward quadrant 4 where as X or I=+ and,Y or J= - x-y+ | X+y+ ............... x-y- | x+y- Hope this helps. S Hall [ 07-07-2006, 06:35 AM: Message edited by: S.Hall ]

Correct me if im wrong but isn't g17=xy ,g18=zx and, g19=yz. A helical move is possible by programming the linear axis that is not in the selected plain. This third axis is interpolated along the specified axis in a linear manner as the other two axis are moved in the circular motion. the speed of each axis is controlled so that the helical rate matches the feed rate. Are you trying to do a helical for cutting threads or,is it for an arc at a corner in a pocket or,for an external contour. What machine are you using. S.Hall

I think Alan is on the monie but you might also try ,mill toolpath-pocket w/islands. chain at bottom of pocket/partial-chain tops of islands. Hope this helps S.Hall

The sad part about most support techs is that the scenarios they are trained to deal with are taken from a (fake book) so to speak. 90% of tech personell are chain of command enacted according to the problem, which is given by the error message you tell them you are receiving. Also along with the question as to whether there control parady uses 4, 8 or 16 bit syntax messages.Also something to think about is whether they are using cobal, faultran or some other language to drive the parody. Most companies keep that as trade secret stuff. there should be a standard unit that you can plug into the serial out of your machine that will read the digital stream. Ive seen techs use them but am not sure what the connection is. S.Hall

The center is usually the best. I have found that if you are using a b c or, u v w axis moves, a seperate offset for each can be helpful if the rotation about the axis has slop problems. Using the degree ,minute, second can help with tolerence issues also. Great post. S.Hall

http://www.kubotekusa.com/products/cadkey/ The post above will give you what you need. They have a demo download that you may be able to use. I hope it works. S.Hall

Hey Ladies and Gents. I have to say that im considered a newbie to the Mastercam scene. Ive been a machinist for nearly 15 years of my life which, has been a huge help to me and,my understanding of the software and,the concept of what it can do. I am in my last class to certification at Owens Community College and,with the program,have picked up a great deal of knowledge in the class. The program sections there,are as follows, Advanced CNC Programming,16 Weeks----Beginning Cad/Cam,16 weeks----Advanced Cad/Cam,16 wks . Athe end of the beginning Cad/Cam class we were expected to draw the exersizes out of Volumn one,create tool paths, post the g/m code program,turn a part into a solid and,design a keychain wich we ran from Master Cam straight to the cnc. The class was excellent and, the teachers are some of the best ive had. I also think this forum is a godsend. Just checking the posts ive read so far, has improved my abilities emencely. I think having the students sign up for this forum would be a great idea. Thanks to all of you who do what you do. S.Hall