Hey Chief. Nice to see you back here. No more Nakamura? What happened there? -Keith

one word, coolant

Vectorize all your raster images, for free. Very cool, save down as a .eps or .svd Click this link

Put limits on image size in signatures.

Yes, Check tool side offset and tool orientation

I re-wrote a Spot Drill cycle to use as a bar-pull routine. This is in 8.1. Works very well but edits are all ways needed in the final code. I really should clean up some issues with the clearance and retract planes. But, it works. -Keith

Go with what Chris says. Or, Use a secondary offset at the control to adjust taper. -Keith

Oops, I resized that image above. And below are a few parts from the machine. Also Andy: quote: We used misc int to get a stock puller going. quote: # Post Name : MPLOMNI # Product : LATHE # Machine Name : OMNI-TURN # Control Name : GENERIC # Description : GENERIC 2 AXIS LATHE POST WITH CANNED CYCLES # Associated Post : NONE # Mill/Turn : NO # 4-axis/Axis subs. : NO # 5-axis : NO # Subprograms : NO # Canned Cycles : NO # Executable : MPL I did the bar puller routine by re-writing a canned drill cycle in the post. works well. And seeing as we have the C-axis I also wrote reversing tap cycle. John. The machine is really easy. But I understand the need for a Hardinge VLH. We got about 8 of 'em. The Best, bar none. -Keith

Yes. We have GT-75 series III. c-axis. I use it all the time. good for what it is. -Keith

Engraving tool = finer lines possible. Ball mill = more durable but line width varies more with uneven surfaces. For .125 high letters i dont go deeper that -.002 or -.003. with a .031 ball mill Center drill = durable but better for larger line width. for really fine stuff I use a diamond engraving tool. 0 rpm.

I lock mine almost every night. The cleaning crew is less than honest. My PC does not lock automatically. I do it manually as you described above. Win 2000 Pro. -Keith

WooHoo! We have 2 of these machines, same vintage. a 75vmc 20 x 40 and a 45vmc 18 x 30 with pallet changer and Reinishaw probe. 20+ years old and that controller still rocks. read/writes are a little slow and storage is limited but that was the norm back then. Smit: quote: Let me know and I'll send it tomorrow. I would also like to check out a copy of your post, please. click my name above my avatar for mail link -Keith

the holder and the tool(insert) should each be a separate closed chain. i think. -Keith

Izzy! We do Macor on a fairley regular basis. Macor is basically "Green" ceramic. Machines pretty easily with any sharp tools but is is very abrasive as you might expect. So coated carbide tools will last the longest. Regular soluble oil for coolant. Most importantly you want to machine "onto" the material. THis will minimize chipping on the part edges. have also seen chipping downward into the base material when too large base cuts are used. Cleans up really well in an ultrasonic tank with a little alkaly cleaner. -Keith

We have a Vertical machinging Center with a W! 2 really. "W" used to be hard coded till i got tired of that. I now use Misc. Real #1. works well -Keith