I believe that 222 is the nci file line # that is being processed. Andy

Hey Jay, Talk about timing!!!!!!! Andy

When you are chaining your contour, first chain a point (which you created ahead of time in the drawing) then chain the contour. In lead in out check the box "point". Andy

Ok, I made a change to post. Simply added "depth" to the pdrill_2 line as Roger suggested and thoroughly tested it--Perfect. Now I get: G83 G98 X0. Y0. Z-1. R0.1 Q.0625 F5.1 N122 X1.1131 Y.0428 Z-1.5 N124 X2.2261 Y.107 Z-2. N126 X-.0321 Y.9418 Z-.5 N128 X.6743 Y.8455 N130 X2.1726 Y1.1024 N132 X1.4127 Y.7813 Z-.6 N134 G80 Where line 126-130 were all the same depth as desired. Thank you Roger, Jay, and all. [ 02-14-2002, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Andy ]

Ok, I really appreciate the post clues, I will try some changes tonight after the doors are closed. I will report to you all the results. There are so many smart people in our forum. Andy

I recently tried to window points for drilling. The points were at different Z depths. Backplot drilled the holes to different (correct) depths. I used incremental for depth. However when I posted the NC I got. G83 X....Y.....Z-1.0 etc X...Y... X...Y... X...Y... G80 So the holes were all drilled to the same depth Z-1.0 (The first points' Z) Does anyone know where in the post I can make a change to get: Example: G83 X Y Z1 G83 X Y Z2 G83 X Y Z3 G83 X Y Z4 G80 I am using Fanuc post, modified somewhat for Fadal Thanks, Andy

Your post may have a max_spindle speed. In config I assume you changed the job setup/ spindle defaults/ max rpm. I usually (If I remember) start a job with job setup and set the max rpm, etc. and then create operations. I believe this usually takes care of that issue for me. The coolant, and feed, etc. could be coming in with the tool parameters that are set in the tool definitions. This happens when you check mark "use tools peck, step, coolant" in the job setup. You probably know all this already and your problem is beyond that. Good Luck, Andy I have more troubles with this sort of stuff in lathe than in mill.

If you run it this long you better get some coolant on it!

So Yenkls or Consultant, is my answer correct???

In 1965, there was this master machinist with a wood Gertner (Sp) classic machinist tool box and his pride and joy, the guy was a jerk they said. We were on the night shift he was on days. We took an 3/8 x 8" Lag bolt and cut it in half. Then machined complementary angles on both ends. 30 and 60 deg. We then machined small holes in the middle of each cut ends and inserted needles in the hole with sharp end out. Just before quit time we inserted the top piece into the lid of the tool box and the other end in the front of the box so that it appeared to go right through the box. We deftly added some sawdust around the bolt and on the bench just below and went home. I've felt bad ever since. Aparently it was real hard on the poor guy.

Are you using one tool to do both right and left?

Ron, Did you find a solution yet? Andy

Cool Glen, I'll try that. Andy

Thanks Jay, Andy

Glen, I looked at the high feed mc8 you made up. That is cool. However, I had to post it to see the actual position and feed rate changes, but that was cool. Is there someway to do a backplot and see the actual feed rate change in real time? Andy

If I understand you correctly, 1. you have 2 separate tools. 2. one is left one is right. 3. one tool cuts to the left of groove and the other to the right. So the "front" of each tool is the business end of each tool? If thats the case each tool in the tool definition would be checked the same and the "front" of each tool would cut respective sides of the groove. Andy

JAMMAN, I just tried it and it worked fine in Mill..... I dont know that I've ever used it before.. Andy

JAY, I see how you did it with geometry...pretty cool, Thanks. GLEN, I tried high feed but it didn't seem to rapid when cutting air. Maybe I just dont know how to use it. Thanks. JAMES, I trimmed toolpath (2 hours to figure it out) but it worked great and looked just like Jay's path. At least I learned some stuff. Thanks. So Is highfeed another way to do it or what?? Andy

CADCAM, Yes, exactly like that. Did you upload that mc8 to the ftp? JAMES, I'll try to trim toolpath, however I have never used that function. Time to learn that. Is that how CADCAM did his solution? Andy [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Andy ]

Yes, I could do multiple depth I know. However then you would use the end of the endmill. Just curious. You know in lathe the same job would not cut air, It knows where there is stock. In mill contour multiple pass, it doesnt seem to differentiate between air and stock. Anyone else know anything about this? Thanks,

BerTau Ok I uploaded an mc8 "rectangle with arc.mc8". Andy [ 12-02-2001: Message edited by: Andy ] [ 12-02-2001: Message edited by: Andy ]

Let's say I have a rectangular block 1/2x4x8. on the 4 inch edge, with stock laying flat, I want to machine a full 2" radius. Using contour,and feeding the endmill in from the side, multi pass say .2 per pass. How can one avoid cutting air or speed up when cutting air? Andy [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Andy ]

Yes, I did upload those drivers a couple of weeks ago.

Bill, Actually that is exactly how I handle materials and tools. I made up libraries:Aluminum.tl8, l21L14.tl8, Stainless.tl8, etc, etc. So in Job setup I do not pick material and I choose: feed calculation by tool. When I machine 1018 I use tools from the 1018.tl8 library and so on. The disadvantage to this method is you have to create alot of tools in alot of libraries as opposed to one library with all your tools. But it works good for me. And I know exactly what feeds and speeds I will get because I entered them. Andy

Thank you for all the input. I will be setting something up in the next month or so. Andy