I've seen this happen if you are using 2 different tools that are defined with the same tool number. If the previous operation was roughing the profile with a different tool, check to see if both tools are defined with the same tool number.

Pretty sure you can put it on a toolbar. Better yet, add it to your right mouse click menu if you use it that often.

I just tried and it worked for me....

Is the custom tool geometry for the tool saved in the file you are importing from, or in a separate file?

I"ve always saved custom tool geometry in a separate file.. not sure if that makes any difference.

Well, I looked and looked. These options are not listed under key mapping.

I'm not sure it's possible in X9. My method doesn't work anymore, I suspect It has to do with the addition of the workspaces.

How can you do it in X6?

Here is what I did in X6.

First, I unmapped the F5 key, which by default is delete entity.(I don't think anyone uses this anyway)

I made a backup of my mastercam.kmp file located at mymcam/config/

Then I added these lines to the end of the .kmp file.

KEYMAP Mastercam OMregenSelectedOperations "F5"
KEYMAP Mastercam OMregenDirtyOperations "F6"
KEYMAP Mastercam OMbackplotSelectedOperations "F7"
KEYMAP Mastercam OMverifySelectedOperations "F8"

KEYMAP END

save the file.

F5=regen selected

F6=regen dirty operations

F7=backplot

F8=verify

Works like a charm in X6.  

I'm finally making the jump from X6 to X9.

Using X6, I could modify my mastercam.kmp file, mapping the regen, backplot, and verify buttons to hotkeys.

Does anyone know if there is a way to do this with X9?

We've all been there, don't sweat it.

Open the parameters for your toolpath from the operation manager.

At the bottom of the window that pops up, it will say "ref. points" with a check box next to it.

check the box, a window will pop up, set your Z points in approach and retract to .1

make sure it's set to absolute, and leave the checkboxes for X unchecked.

HTH

For all id toolpaths, and face groove toolpaths, I always always always use Z ref. points in the toolpath parameters for approach and retract.

You have to sync your chains together and then it will work. Break the top and bottom chains at your match lines ( blue lines) and use sync by branch. Make sure you start your chains at the same match line. I tried it with loft and looked good but swept should work as well.

Thanks for that explanation. Got it on the first try.

Wondering what would be the best way to create this surface. Is it possible to do this with swept? I have tried numerous times, but not getting the result I'm looking for.

The only way I could get it to work was to break all of the geometry down and make individual surfaces.

Any help is much appreciated. Using X6.

TIA

555.MCX-6

I see what you're saying.

I've only played with stock preview a couple times, sounds like I could get some use out it as well.

going to play with that now.

If you are using the tool list option in the operations manager, can't you select what operations you want before you click tool list?

Or are you using setup sheet?

Gotcha. Try Settings-Configuration-Colors : Mill / Router - Stock color

Settings-Configuration-Shading

Just a suggestion, right click your template file, open properties - click "read only".

Then you won't be able to overwrite your file. It will say access denied when you try to save instead of save as.

I still keep a backup too, just in case...

Here is some sample code from a part that I worked on years ago. I was doing a time study on pinch turning with increased feed versus staggering the tools with a heavier depth of cut. The pcodes in this sample were manually edited by myself while setting up the machine, so they may or may not be the 100% correct way to do it. But it did run and did what I wanted it to do.

HTH

$SAMPLE.MIN
G13
N1
( *** )
( ***** TURRET A ***** )
( ROUGH FACE AND TURN  )
( RH ROUGH TURN    INSERT -  1/32 TNR )
G50 S1200
G0 M8
X50. Z50.
T0101 M42 P09
G96 S650 M3 P10
G0 X3.35 Z.01
G1 X-.0625 F.01
G0 Z.05
X3.3 P20
G85 NLAP1 D.4 U.04 W.005 F.016 P21
NLAP1 G81
G0 X1.3021 Z.05 P22
G1 Z-.0162 P23
X1.3768 Z-.0535
G3 X1.398 Z-.0792 I-.0257 K-.0257
G1 Z-1.7987
X1.759 Z-1.9792
G3 X1.789 Z-2.0154 I-.0362 K-.0363
G1 Z-4.3625
Z-5.7123
G2 X1.8865 Z-5.761 I.0488
G1 X2.7365
G3 X2.8001 Z-5.7798 K-.0362
G1 X2.8431 Z-5.8014
X3.15
G80
G0 X50. Z50. P25
T0202
M1 P40
 
G14
N2
( ***** TURRET B ***** )
( ROUGH FACE AND TURN  )
( RH ROUGH TURN    INSERT -  1/32 TNR )
G50 S1200
G0 M8
X50. Z50.
T0202 M42 P09
G96 S650 M3 P10
G0 Z.150
X3.1 P20
G85 NLAP1 D.4 U.04 W.005 F.016 P21
NLAP1 G81
G0 X1.3021 Z.15 P22
G1 Z-.0162 P23
X1.3768 Z-.0535
G3 X1.398 Z-.0792 I-.0257 K-.0257
G1 Z-1.7987
X1.759 Z-1.9792
G3 X1.789 Z-2.0154 I-.0362 K-.0363
G1 Z-4.3625
Z-5.7123
G2 X1.8865 Z-5.761 I.0488
G1 X2.7365
G3 X2.8001 Z-5.7798 K-.0362
G1 X2.8431 Z-5.8014
X3.15
G80
G0 X50. Z50. P25
T0303
M1 P40

I haven't upgraded to x7 yet so I can't check out your file, but, try this...

delete all geometry from the mcx file with the toolpaths in it and save as ROLL TAP OPS.OPERATIONS-7 (you will have to select "all file types" from the drop down list)

save it in the directory C:\Users\Public\Documents\shared Mcamx7\mill\Ops , or \lathe\Ops if you are using lathe

Now, when you import the toolpaths, click the folder at the top, pick ROLL TAP OPS, and select the toolpaths you want to import.

This will not import the machine, but all of your toolpath groups will be in there.

HTH

Right click in the operations manager. Goto toolpaths - manual entry. Then write whatever you want in the box and hit the green check.

After that, select the manual entry toolpath that you just made, and click the icon at the top of the operations manager that looks like a ghost.

You could also just use a manual entry for your notes. Then just ghost it in the ops manager so it so it doesn't post out....

My advice would be to concentrate on accuracy, and learning how to make the tools do exactly what you want them to do. The speed will come naturally with time.

jm2c.

With that being said, all of the above are great suggestions to speed things up.

I would also suggest learning the keyboard shortcuts, and customizing your right click menu for the things that you use most often.

For some reason, every manufacturer on this planet has decided to stop making the MVQNR style of boring bar.

Does anyone use this style? It's a VNMG 33 series insert with a 117.5 approach angle. Typically has a 1-1/4" shank.

Our lathe guys smashed ours all to hell and we need a new one lol.

Does anyone have any reputable repair shops that does their tooling?

I've used bars with a 117.5 approach angle, but not with that big of a shank.

How bad is the pocket? We've sent a few to Ultra-dex for pocket repair, and had good results.

If you're in MI, they are located near Flint.

I'd like to see one compared to a cat40 just to see the size difference.

cat40 fits right inside.

What machine and control will this code be used for?

have you tried Thinbit

Thinbit has a few tools with a .500 wide shank that might clear. But, they don't tell you how far the insert sticks out the side....

How about a ID grooving tool (Circle or Horn or Micro100 or somebody) held in an OD station? You'd end up with something looking like a golf club sticking our of the turret and it should be small enough to fit in your .660-something clearance.

 

C

Thought about that too....

The question there is, How do you get the tip of the insert on center without grinding half of the bar off?

Thinking i may be better off just modifying a standard face groove tool to fit.

The PH Horn catalog is probably where I would start looking.

Thanks for the reply.

PH Horn is usually my first choice also.

It seems they have everything but what i am looking for.

The biggest issue is the width of the relief area that the tool has to fit into.

I also have to figure out how i am going to leave stock on the .745 dia. without there being a step up to the face groove after its ground.