We have a DMU65 with similar issues. From one touchoff to the next, the tool offset will change up to .003 on a standard .118 drill. Are your lasers hooked to the back of the trunion, or with the duoblock, I am not sure where the laser is with that setup, but it's kind of rediciulous to have that sort of variance on a laser. On a machine with scales. We have had Z ballscrew replaced, machine moved, and isolation pad poured. Tech from Germany came in and sprechen sie deutsch to it, and no one can get it to repeat any better.

Advanced 5 ax. multisurf. Each side of the chamfer is seperate already. I am working on maybe just creating tplanes on the chamfers, and 2 axis'ing the chamfers on, but still would like to figure out what's going on with the retract/approach

I am working a part that I have setup in the 4th axis, and cutting a chamfer on the edge of the part, and when the path links between passes, the Z will dip down to Z-4. then come straight back to Z .8 I have tried every retract setting and work plane (have not had the problem with 5 axis, just this is the first time I'be seen it do this with 4 axis) I have the file that I can Email, as the FTP doesn't seem to be working. Any help is appreciated!

I like to use axis substitution in this case. As chippy says, project a 2d toolpath and should see better result.

I like to do one spring as well. Seems to help with repeatability and thead quality IMO.

Gcode... That's good to know man!

I guess I just don't like a computer that back talks me... LOL If I am about to delete a directory I guess I would rather it ask "are you sure?" but for the most part I don't like warning dialogue boxes. I un checked the don't warn me box and it didn't make any difference today. Sometimes MCx will do odd things when you pull up an old file and use the settings from that file like JMC said.

Think I may have found a new solution to the problem. In settings, go to the toolpath tab, and in the general settings area (toward bottom of page) there is a "suppress associativity warnings" check box. Seems to have done the trick for me.

If they are in solids you can always create a new solid and do a boolean remove.

I don't see the picture either. I'll take a look at it as well if you like.

Niiiiiice. Thanks guys

Also, is there any documentation that explains the stuff like pbld, peof, ltlchg?? I don't understand what a lot of the cryptic style stuff that is in the posts, and how they work together. I would love to do some more tweaks like the coolant move, but want to make sure that it's all done correctly. Seems like there is a bunch of questions about post editing on here all the time. Maybe a sticky with some basic post codes would help (a LOT!)

I want to modify the post so that it turns the coolant off before the Z ref. return. Which post string would I need to move to change code from this.. M5 G91 G28 Z0. M9 G28 Y0. M30 to this... M5 M9 G91 G28 Z0. G28 Y0. M30

Turns out it was docking all along, just as the toolpath manager stays active and remembers the last position, somone had minimized it width wise and it was just docking far to the left.

I can't get the bloody toolpath manager to dock anymore!! I don't know what happened but when I maximize it, like I have done for the whole time since I started using X, (double click on the title bar) the whole graphics screen goes white, the toolpath manager goes away, and MCX locks up. Anyone have any suggestions?

It works really well if the machine is exactly what the Machsim definition is what the machine accurately reflects. But if you have to create a custom machine- good luck!! I tried with CNC Software and Camiax's help and still couldn't get a 5 axis VMC setup to accurately reflect the posting that happened to the code. Best bet so far is vericut.

And the new HLE mastercam (available through the reseller) will let you do some training from your PC at home.

The books are a pretty good source, and "seat time" in front of Mastercam will get you your best training. There are a lot of resources out there too. If you get stumped, don't hesitate to call CNC software and get some help. They won't send you back a solid program that you can put in the mill and go, but it will get you an idea and point you in the right direction. Have fun with it man, 5 axis is pretty cool stuff! Congrats on the new machine, take your time and possibly if the budget lets you get a simulation at least until you get the post bullet-proofed.

Dependent on your part geometry there's a few different ways around this. You could always do a 2D contour and drill your center, then plunge on center point of your drilled hole, thereby eliminating the helix entry all together. You could also do this with a helix bore. That seems to work well for me, as you don't get mismatch from the steps down in the bore. I don't know about too many of the other programmers, but I tend to stay away from the circle paths, and do it in 2d other than a threadmill. It's just a simpler way to get the same code. Sandvik doesn't give you a max angle ramp on their tool guide? I swear that I've seen it in ramp rather than in a depth format before. And it's usually quite a bit steeper than the actual machine tool can handle.

I haven't used it in recent memory... Would someone please remind me on what it even does??

If your selecting chains I do it by the shift key right? I don't think I'm coordinated enough to hold down control and shift and click all at once. Lol. It's good the way it is and I like the toggle selection if you grab something you didn't want you can in select it without having to start over.

I think we're missing the point here anyway. What "sites" are you frequenting that don't like to play well with Mozilla James?!

Lol. I was hoping this thread would just get swept to the back bowels of the forum an be forgotten forever... Um. Guess not! When I updated Mach Defs I have my custom machines in another file and didn't remember. I was using the default 5 axis instead of the customized one.

And come to think of it actually the launcher does the same thing I believe. It just gives you the GUI interface so you know what some of the cryptic codes are.

Gcode's got it right on the monkey. You used to have to sign it /x5 /v5 but dependent on which version your running in x3? they got rid of the add on verication for multiaxis.