I'd like to ask for any thoughts on this: We're developing a crankshaft for a engine project we've been working on. It is roughly 11.5" long, and around 8" in diameter at the counter weights. Does anyone around here have any experience with machining something like this? I'm leaning toward roughing it on a 4th axis vertical, positioning and roughing as much as possible from the part - then onto a lathe with offset fixture plates on the ends to allow for turning of the pin journals... Any input would be greatly appreciated.

A little late in the thread but I had my reseller out today to evaluate our problems. Those being stability, SOLIDS (and all things associated), and numerous little quirks that are killing productivity. According to my reseller, the parameter delay has never been brought to their attention. Not sure about anyone else, but wasting 5 seconds to access parameters is not acceptable in a software package like this. Long story short, talk to the resellers. They don't necessarily monitor the forums (which has become a b*%ch fest lately). They are a much more powerful voice... This place used to be about knowledge, not disappointment.

Unreal. I am pulling my hair out on a 78meg file, time to redownload X3. LESS THAN IMPRESSED!

Thanks for the suggestion 'murraymold', worked like a champ. I managed to get it to fan around after changing planes...

I've been playing around with a cad logo we've got to wrap onto an arc. Does anyone have a trick to doing this without jumping from vector graphics back to cad, etc. There are plenty of ways to wrap fonts, but I've got an existing logo. I managed to get it done with illustrator, and save it out as an autocad file, but I'd like a little more control in the process. Thanks,

I've had alot of luck with Dell systems. Super easy online ordering and good support. I think beyond that I'd build my own...

disappointed... I'm no professional software engineer by any means, but I wish there was a little more QC before a new release. Someone inevitably has to pay for lost time, am I supposed to include that into the quote, MC crashes and lost data??? Just frustrating...

Can you post a pic. I'm thinking you might do a 'create>curve>flowline' along a continuous surface of the solid.

What version are you running? I haven't had it happen to me since about X2 or so...

That used to happen to me alot when reopening lathe files. The toolpaths remained, but they were re-ordered and merged. VERY frustrating. Wish I could be of more help, but I never found an explanation as to why it was happening.

So far the only tools I've used have been from 'mill inch'.

I've had this happen five times already this morning. When creating or editing a drilling op, changing the tip comp checkbox sporadically causes x4 to crash and burn. Anyone else had this scenario yet?

1. I usually always orient parts to front plane, which equals top plane in MC. 2. Double clicking a dimension will bring up the modify box. 3. While in sketch, use the icon that looks like a pair of glasses, it will show you all relations; delete the one that is coincident with the c/l.

XFORM STL if necessary, it's a little tedious but it works. IMHO I usually position the part for op1, setup stock, and then make multiple c/t planes for each additional op. Save each .STL from op1, op2, etc... and verify in order.

If you've already created a surface model of the stock, why not extrude it to a solid. Use the 'solid' option in verify and select it from the view. You've got lvl3, you should use solids whenever possible - IMHO.

Maybe a seperate surf. finish contour toolpath for the inverted cone, after roughing out everything else and leaving a vertical post? Just a thought.

Whoo Hoo! TShirt finally came, and a nice planner too. Thanks In-House!

Still waiting, we've got a bridge and a tunnel to Canada here, should've made it I'd think...

lol

IMHO X3 is a vast improvement, not perfect, but improved...

Still waiting by the door...

I'd be glad to help.

XL Please

Tell your boss you need solidworks

Are they equal in dia? Intersecting on c/l or not?