Cool, Thank you Andy

Another BIG advantage to wear comp is: You put zero's in for all your offset diameters in the machine!! You no longer have to input the dia of the cutters. This means no more data entry errors. And it also means you wont have to change the diameter in the offset table if you decide to use a different size EM. i.e. just change the EM in Mastercam, regen, send to machine and run. A lot less complicated!! Good luck, Andy

Hi Jim, Thanks for the quick answer! However, I failed to tell you one piece of info. This is what else I had: clearance=0 test=1, clearance=mr8 n,"clearance=", *clearance, e The output was clearance=0 So I changed line 2 to separate lines: test=1, clearance=mr8, Then the output was clearance=.912 So this solved my problem. Is the separate lines the way it has to be? Thanks Andy

Hello, I am trying to record the value of mr8 (misc real8) at one point in the post and to later use is as an output. I tried: clearance = mr8 n, *clearance, e outputs "0" value for clearance when mr8 is .9 at this point. I formatted "clearance" for decimal absolute 4place. I know there is a way to capture the value of mr8 and I have done it before but do not remember. Any help would make me sane again!! Thanks, Andy

Who does this process?

We have some 17-4 (stainless)small hardened (45 Rc) rolls we made for a customer who brought us a sample. The sample has a black shiny finish, made in germany. You cannot black oxide stainless. This finish is very smooth and shiny and hard. These rolls .156 ID have to spin freely on a shaft of the same mtl and finish. Does anyone have any idea what this finish is??? Thanks, Andy [ 01-11-2003, 08:15 PM: Message edited by: Andy ]

That tolerance in that length and bore: Definitely honing is the way. That would be the automatic response if we were doing the job. Less headaches!!!

Hey gcode, That sounds like that will work good I will try it. Too bad it isn't easier. Thanks, Andy

Rob, Yes, Contour ramp works good also, but I want to cut with the side of the em and feed spirally out not down. Camguy, I will try those suggestions, but not tonight. I will respond after I try it. Thanks guys, Andy

I actually could use any of the suggested methods to do my job. And, I actually am using the finish stepover .007 method. But, ideally,I am just curious if, given my conditions above, can a non interupted true spiral be accomplished? That is: starting with a 1/2 hole spiral out with no stepovers using a 3/8 EM and not cut air. PS: There is not room for an island contour in this case. Andy

Thank you for all the answers,. However, what I am trying to do is have a spiral toolpath that "continuously" cuts out to the finish size at approx .007 tool load with no lead ins or side steps and does not cut air and uses a 3/8 em. Contour , goes in and out of the cut with leadin leadout. Spiral pocket with 2 circles requires a smaller end mill. Circmill , goes in and out of the cut. There should be someway to do this.???? Thanks, Andy

I drill a .5 hole. I want to counter bore .625 dia .25 deep with a 3/8 end mill. I want to spiral out and take .007 per pass at full depth (.25) until I get .625 dia. However, I do not want to cut air for the first .124 of dia. When I use spiral pocket it starts the spiral at the center an cuts air for the first bunch of the spiral. How can I cut with spiral path and start at near .500 dia and spiral out to .625 dia? Thanks,

Done 431

I found bottle under lathe. It is mc9. I have mc8 lathe, I will try but you may have to convert. Andy

I'll give it a try if I can find your file on the ftp site Andy

A little late to reply but: When I used to machine aluminum at Hughes Aircraft in 1968, and we had a .0002 tolerance dimension to machine, we had the inspector come and measure it for us in the machine and he also took the temperature to adjust the dim to 68deg f. and signed off on the print. The growth / temp coefficient we used was .000020/in./deg f. But if the dimension was to print, then not our problem. Andy [ 10-23-2002, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: Andy ]

What does "Add in the layer manager" mean?

Actually, this font will work quite well. I have been creating a spline down the center for a single line font and changing the spline to arcs and lines and it looks great. Takes a while to do the alphabet and caps. However, you cant just type the name, you have to drag and drop. I made reference points on the font to aid lineup. Thank you for the help. Andy

I'll check it out, thanks. Andy

Bertau, I searched the internet for script s and found nothing, so, yes, you could email me the font if you dont mind. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andy

My customer wants to engrave his last name in pool cues he makes and has a pantogragh. He wants me to make his template. (2D) What we need is a font that is script but with a single line similar to a signature. Does anyone know what true type or other font I can start with to do the engraving? Andy

What finally worked for me a year ago was use older drivers. I tried everything else and nothing worked. As James said search this subject. Those older drivers are on Jays' website. [ 09-26-2002, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Andy ]

I use lathe quite a lot. I have a one library for every material I cut. About 6 libraries. All 6 have the same tools with different Speed/feed/etc. So, the tool # problem can be handled like this. When you start doing the CAM the FIRST thing to do is go to Job Setup and then lathe tools button. Right mouse/go to your library/pick tool #27. Now right mouse/edit tool/parameter page/and change the tool# to the turret position # say #1 Done Now, repeat the above and pick the SAME tool from the library. Edit that tool (#27) as above to #2. Now you have the same tool at Turret #1 and #2. This way you can have one tool in the Library and use it as many times as you want at different turret poisitions.

I guess that answers the question I have had for a long time and never posted: How to delete drill points except for one at a time? The answer must have been "you cant"....until now. Is that correct? Andy

When I machine graphite I always cuss cause the mess. For that I charge at least 10 more/hr. However, if your hands aren't black when your doing it because of a great vacuum system I guess you can let your conscience be your guide. Andy