No, I do not have feed rates locked. This is just opening up a tool in an operation and wanting to change the sfm of a tool. When you hit the recalculate button the sfm is referenced from the material but seems to be unavailable to now change when you have a tool open.

I have started experimenting with X8. The material files we use have been changed so the number put into the old % of material cut speed is the actual sfm for the tool. When you open a tool in X8 there is no such box listed to teak the rpm of the tool. You can over write the rpm but if the speeds are reinitialized it will go back to the original setting. The only way I have found to modify the rpm and make it stick is to due the following: Open the operation, go to the tool tab, right click the tool. Click on the feed and speed calculator, change the % o material cut speed. Click update which brings up the Tool Manager. Click recalculate, click finish, green check on the speed and feed calculator. This will update the speed and feed rate only. If the plunge rate or retract rate change you must also right click the tool again and click re-initialize feeds and speeds to update them also. Am I missing something or is this now what has to be done? I see if you open up the tool data base in the separate Tool Manager program the sfm can be changed in the properties there but that will change the data base and not just the tools for the current job that is being programmed. Thanks, Randy Wolff

Here is an X-5 file. We are running Mill level 3. Material is hot rolled, nothing fancy. CLAMP.MCX-5

I attached a MCX-6 file. Hpoefully it comes thru. CLAMP.MCX-6

How do you get the password for the ftp site. I have a solid I can put out there.

This is a part that is being quoted. I am looking for some suggestions on how to machine this clamp. I have never done anything like this before. It would be run on a vertical with a full forth axis. Thanks in advance. Randy

Using roll die seems to be doing the trick. I picked the centerline and the cutter is running on centerline but it is not compensating for the slot width. Using a 1 inch endmill, set slot to 1.25 with square corners, chordal deviation to .001, and tool vectore to .001 but it only goes once around. What did I miss? Thanks, Randu

Thanks John, I'll give that a try. This will be run on a Mazak, I'm assuming a standard 4 axis post will do the trick.

We are looking at making some slotted cams for a roller follower. Cam is 6 inch in diameter with a 1.250 wide slot .75 deep. I have not machined one of these and am wondering where to start. I think the output would have to have X,Y,Z,A outputs on the same line to keep the corner radii perpendicular to the roller. Currently have a flat layout of the roller path. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Randy Mastercam x4 mu2 solids

I have the same problem with X2 and X3. When ever I try to print shaded it spits out a blank sheet but looks good in print preview. Prints out wireframes just fine.

The file is in ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MC...OD_CYLINDER.MCX Hopefully this is the right place to put things. Thanks for any help. Randy

I will try tomorrow. I don't have it with me at home

I have a cylinder with two od's with a transition area between them. I have not done much 4th axis work other than using a flat layout. The part has a 7 inch id. The major od has a 5.072 radius the minor od has a 5.042 radius. The transition radius is 4.47. Looking from the end of the part the minor radius runs +- 76.5 degrees from vertical, the transition radius runs from that point to 92 degrees from vertical. I have the part created in Mastercam, planning on ball milling the surfaces, I just don't know how to have Mastercam create the toolpath. It doesn't seem like it should be that hard, just don't know where to start. Using X2 version of Mastercam. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Randy

Thanks guys. I'll keep this in mind and keep trudging ahead.

I am new to Mastercam (using X MR2 for about 2 weeks) and haven't programmed in about seven years. The programmer we had moved on and I got volunteered so I'm learning on the fly. I am looking for some books or advice to guide me in the right direction. Granted this is a wide open statement, but that is where I'm at right now. We do some surfacing and 4th axis vertical work but mostly straight forward bar and vertical work. I have noticed some post problems for the rotary work on the bars, but fixing that manually at the moment. So much to learn and try and keep straight. Here's one question: Is there a way to build a standard tool list for a machine or a family of parts and bring that into the job without always going back to the tool library and recreating it each time. Thanks in advance for any advice. Hopefully the head won't explode before it all sinks in. Randy