310's main application is for higher temperatures. We machine it in cast form and bar form.It is abrasive and hard on tools.316 can be machined reliably at much higher surface speeds.Unless you need the properties of 310 you would choose 316 every time.

Thanks for replies. Does solidworks have load anlysis? Inventor does from what I have read. The driven by variables and formula function plus load anlysis are important.I get a demo of inventor monday and will organise one for solidworks also.

cnc apps guy 1 many thanks gary

We have several component families. In each family the components varying only in proportion. We want to prepare data for engineer ratification, images for a catalog and web site and produce workshop drawings.Solid works and inventor have been offered to us, is there anyone with veiws that on either that may help us, or for that matter other software? Gary

Draw two rectangles one blue one yellow on level 15. Blue to be the body of the puller, yellow to be the gripper tooth.In the user defined part of tool creation nominate level 15 for your geometry, remember when you create your goemetry think of where the origin is, as this effects the tool position for backplot.Posting will be another issue, so get your tool created first. I have code that works in my post I will foward this on if required.

In configuration/screen I ticked disable hardware acceleration and now its ok.My problem would have occured whatever I tried to verify.It was just the first thing I did when I got mx3 mu1.

I created a surface 200 x 150 flat.Using a cylinder dia 200 x 150 lg saved as an stl file,and the high speed rest mill path using the stl as a cad file. I machined from z100. to z0 in 1.5mm cuts, I got the diaplay I expected in backplot,but in verify I see my cylindrical stock (I used a solid cylinder as stock), but no display of my cuts or tool, the verify takes place with no change to the cylinder.I will now do the same in x2 and see if I get the same problem.I will post how I go

Make sure each operation is set to use stock.

Tedly I checked config again changed the mcx file location from mcx2 mr2 to mcx3 and now its all good.I must either get my eyes tested or brain! many thanks

When I save my mcx file in X3 it defaults to x2 mr2 mcx folder.I have looked configuration settings it looks ok. If anyone can help?

I often go to move or copy geometry to another level and it doent work. I then shut down mastercam after saving the file and start up again, it then works for a few times. Thanks for any help.

We have sorted out our problem. Thankyou.

I want to use the canned text dialogue, in toolpath parameters to add a program stop after my tool is sent to a selected reference position.It is currently placed before,I realise it relates to the post, and usually I trial and error until I get what I want,but if someone out there can save me my customary 2 days of pain it would make a simple Aussie very happy.I am using a much modified generic fanuc lathe post. Gary

ShefferCNC Pip got us thinking by alerting us to the G10 code.On experiment it allowed a line in our progam to input into our offsets. G10P10001X50.Z100. (input the values to T1 offset when read by the program). We modified our post to read the manufacturers tool code and use it to contain our offset data for each tool in our library (our modular km tools).So now we create our program as normal,and the program when executed inputs the offset data. Thankyou our problem is solved, we think. Gary

Pip (thanks for reply) Currently when we run a part for the first time, we output the proven program via cimco edit 5,to the open window on our PC, then we output to a new window the offsets for the same job, we then copy and paste the offsets into the part NC file and save it to our customer folder.Then when next we do the same job, we select and send the part file, then select and send the offsets (all contained in the one file).I want mastercam to create a file like this when we first program the part, simply the posted Nc file also has the offset data accessed from some area where the the unique offsets for the selected tools are stored.I hope I have explained this well enough for someone to explain if its possible.I am very green in regards to post modification. Gary

Is it possible to have tool offsets for tools stored within the library,then bundled together in the appropriate format for your control,appended to the nc file, then sent into your control when loading your part program.We do this manually as part of our procedure, it works well, with modular tool systems with known offsets. Gary

David Thankyou I wrongly assumed that when I calculated for material it gave the same result as setting it in group set up.Whilst I have your attention when are the slow cutting options in the material dialogue applied.

My material is set for different values finishing to roughing(feed).When I select a finishing path and calculate for material I get the roughing feed setting.What am I missing?

I havnt proven this in a program , but if you create a custom tool with the datum vee point of the tool at your root diameter.When the operation is verified even though it is set at X0 the tool point will be at root dia.Somehow the post would have to know it was a rolled thread so it all takes place at X0.

David Sorry bad chioce of machine shop english. What I wish it did however was apply the z down outside the stock boundry, in a face mill type manner, alowing a face mill to be used giving higher metal removal rates. Gary

Dave The problem solved is the one I had relating to the current newsletter, refering to stock recognition, which I now know (thanks to Tyler) relates to multiaxis toolpaths.The elimination of air cutting from a variety of stock shapes seems to have a variety of solutions.I have not found a one size fit all solution. Your solution of rest milling from STL file is good but limited to plunge capable cutters, having said that it is often the best way. Gary

Thanks all problem solved

Select the back view plane,then rotate it about the z axis 180 deg, and save this view as a named plane. Then select this plane as your tool and construction plane for the operation that is posting incorrectly.This works on my fanuc generic 4 axis post. You may also note when you backplot your problem operation, that the x and y values display negetive when they should be positive or vice versa, this is your prompt that the post will not work out, and the previously described proceedure applies.

Hi all In the current newsletter under multiaxis toolpaths, there is a description of a stock recognition function for milling.It explains it as eliminating wastefull air cutting. I have not found anything like this in X3, my mastercam supplier says it relates to turning only, but that is not the way I read it as it refers to cutter diameters and a milling operation.Anyone who can shed light on this I would be very gratefull. regards Gary (Australia)