I tried the NC-2-DXF converter but it will not open. Says corrupt. Any hints?

Thad, Sounds like a fine idea. I will talk to them today.

I need someone to point me to some info on Chooks. I am trying to learn what all they will do for me and how to use them. I couldn't seem to find any tutorials in any of the books or web site. Thanks

I am having a simular problem. Case in point is tutorial 4 of the Masterxam X2 Art Training book ISBN 189448764-8. I have tried the tutorial on 3 different computers. All seems well until I save the file then try to reopen. Crash reboot. Also, I get a window to send MS a note. All systems are running XP Pro SP 2. If I stop the tutorial before I generate the swept surface, save, reopen no problem. Of course the file is not finished. I have tried it on X2 and X2 MR1. Same crashes. I have updates all the latest video drivers, so far nothing seems to change. The file runs fine when I produce it. The problem occurs when I try to reopen it later. I have 1 gig ram on 2 of the machines and 2 gig on the HP laptop. Any ideas to try or settings to change? I did send the file to my reseller for them to take a look. Thanks

Thanks Bryan, I will give it a try tomorrow. IO forgot to ask Kim that question during class last week , Or I may give you or Kim a call.. since MLC is my distributor..

USB wasnt clearing.. Got it working now. Will X2 do any DNC? Any recommendations on a simple DNC software if X2 doesnt do DNC? Thanks

I am having problems configuring Editor to communicatie with my Prototrak Mill. When I use another program on the same laptop it works fine. Hardware I am using is: USB TO Serial adapter. The setting seem to be the same, baud 9600, stop bits 1, Parity even, Flow Control Software, I am not sure of the Xon, Xoff settings. In the program that works the options are to use Xon Xoff, It doesn have the option to check or uncheck Enable DTS or Enable RTS. X Editor doesnt have the option to chose com port 4 or 5 and I believe that is the com port the usb attached to when it is plugged in. Question I guess is 1. Xon Xoff.. should I have Enable DTS Enable RTS checked? 2. Can I define one of the usb ports to default to something else? OS is Windows XP Media Edition Ser Pack 2. Thanks

Is the advantage of IGF the ease of programming at the control vs having to use MasterCam offline? Or is IGF just an at the contol enhancement.Also, what if any would the advantages of ADMAC be vs MasterCam?

Going tomorrow to look at the latest LB series Okuma lathes. Any feedback about the new controls and machines would be appreciated. Looking at a 6 footer with Y axis. All bells and whistles. Thanks

No need for the second spindle. New machine. I have been told the controls are more user friendly than Mazaks new stuff. Any experience comparing the new OKumas vs mazak or Mori on the programming of the controls at the controls. Of course the offline programing will be done with MC 2

Looking for some current information on OKUMA LB 300X. Likes, dislikes, disadvantages for doing shaft work with keys and some Y axis work on a irregular basis. Trying to compare it to a MAZAK intergrex and then a Mori Seki with the Y axis. Thanks ducati

Ron, From your post and since the primary work for the machine will be shaft work.. then maybe my best choice would be a 350 MY and leave off the E option. We liked the liner slide ways on the E machine, but we are a little concerned about reports of flexing while doing turning work on the E machine. Our thought was to be able to cut keyways all in one setup.. such as the M version. Seeing the Y axis work, it gave us some more ideas where we could use on some helix type shafts. However, the primary work would be pump shafts up to 60 inches in length. The Y axis would be a nice feature but... not at the loss of rigidity in the turning type ops. Thanks ducati

Anyone have recent experience on the new Mazak 350MY? E version. Looking hard at one in the 60 inch range for shaft work and other jobs. All feedback appreciated.

MachineryMan. My reseller provided me a post for our Southwestern Industries SMX 3 axis knee mill. They should be able to provide the Anilam and lathe post from an earlier version .. ie, V9. Just on the outside chance you are running an "evaluation" version with plans on a future purchase.. the reseller may try to help you out. On the farside of the "free evaluation version" you may not want to ask for a post in this forum. Word has it when they are not in the marshmellow mode it will get pretty ugly.

I am running MasterCam X2 mr1 and Inventor 11 Pro. Please send me the information also, I am trying to some simple 1/2 external pipe threads left handed in mastercam and getting no where fast and yes I did say 1/2 inch pipe threads external Left Handed. The only ones I have seen in 34 years of machine work. I dont think the example will be in my basic class for MasterCam coming up next month.

Yes I have solids lic.

I havnt received my X2 training yet. I have purchased some training manuals but cant seem to find and tutorials on importing solids and then defining the tool paths. I do my solids in Inventor because I am more familar with the program and would like to set my tool paths in MC. Can someone point me to some tutorials to help me get started until next month when I go to my training session. As usual...Thanks

14 X 1.25 MM is a common metric spark plug size. 12.647 is a pretty close size for the tap drill. All of the one I have fooled with are straight threads with a gasket seal for the comression. They may make some that have the tapered fit simlar to automotive for the gasket seat.. but.. I have not seen any that use tapered threads. I have welded and remachined quite a few but to my limited knowledge.. none have tapered threads used in MC combustion engines..

New Customer. signature block says it all. Now on the evaluating equipment. Oh yeah, I did forget the Mazaks, Mori's, Nakamura and others. Should be fun and educational. Thanks for all the guidance

update: MC came and showed me MC X2. Nice demo. I had him side tracked programing a Inventor Part file to go run on the mill.. no problems on the new controls.. a few problems relating to size of file and def post on the older control. I feel confident the post can be modified by the right person(not me yet) to fit the need. Edgecam guys came today ( Thursday) demo offsite so we couldnt run it on the control..same part file didnt seem quite as easy to program in EdgeCam as MC. The post wizard Edgecam has looks pretty neat tho. The demo educated me on a few questions I forgot to ask the MC rep. Guess tomorrow I will need to make up my mind.. next week I will begin the search for lathes, Haas, Okuma,Mori Seki, and a mill/turn... they should come around later this year.

Update: MasterCam guy coming tomorrow and EdgeCam on Thursday.. One of them will have a new customer next week.

Moto Guzzi's and Ducatis.. single cylinder and a ole 90' 851

Slave, Thanks for the feed back. Next week MC is suppose to come by and the EdgeCam. GibbsCam sent a quote but didnt offer to travel to do the demo. I have a simple model that I will ask both dealers to show ME how to program on their laptop and then we will go run the program. I am curious to see how easy it is in each program to identify the model. Gibbs forum.. well not much there . EdgeCam.. couldnt find one without being a user alread.. MC...well you covered excellent help

Promise him a MasterCam T shirt if he will stay away

Robert That must be a real culture shock.. from back the woods Watson to Sunny Cali.