Here's some of mine: 1. Engraving - contains logic to increment the dates in different formats as well as part # serialising 2. Angled Plane - cuts an angled plane with a Y-Z stepover, operator positions the tool and tells the macro what angle, ball/bull endmill size, stepover, X cut length, rotation...etc Also, can do a fillet radius blend at top or bottom of the plane. 3. Threadmilling - ID or OD threads, full form or single point cutter, RH/LH threads 4. Trochoidal slot roughing - slot width, stepover, length, rotation, cut depth increments 5. Mazak WPC update - one-touch execution after operator sweeps in a feature 6. 2D digitizing - probe is positioned to X+ side of flat 2d contour, start position is saved, then the probe finds its way around the part back to the start. Every touch sends XY data to text file using DPRNT function 7. Probe center - probes four points to find XY center without all the extra movement in the original Renishaw macro, half the cycle time, updates WPC, saves X and Y length to variables These are all running on Mazak VCNs in a shop with no mastercam

I also found out how to get into the post and limit the B axis fro 0 to 90 degrees. Now my code outputs perfectly, the trunnion swings away from the door with the part facing me, and the C axis indexes the part from one hole to the next. The machine simulation however, is still doing some weird things. I've got two holes on oppopsite sides of a round part. If I create two separate multiax drilling ops, the machine simulation shows the B axis swinging from -90 to 90, even though the Gcode output stays at 90. It gets even stranger when I select the two holes in the same drilling op. The Gcode still outputs perfectly but the simulation shows a collision between the spindle and trunnion while the C axis indexes to the second hole. The toolpath also shows a rapid positioning move sttraight through the part to the approach height on the other side.

Thanks Ben, I found a similar integer on the post I was using.

Also, this makes a difference in the way machine simulation looks as well. Thanks for the help, Kenny

I'd like to know as much as possible about the options. This isn't much of a problem, but more of a preference. For simply drilling radial holes in a round a part, I can't think of why I would ever want the trunnion at B-90. with the workpiece facing away from me. So a forced method will work, but I'd still like to know what you call the flexible method for when I move on to something that requires it. This is the first place I always look for answers, after the help file, that is.

I'm experimenting with 5ax radial hole drilling for the first time and i'd like to know how to force the machining to be done with the trunnion in a certain position. Currently, the code is output with B-90. which rotates the trunnion towards the door with the part facing away from me on the backside. The opposite is what I want to accomplish, so that as I prove out the program, the workpiece is facing me.

the policy where I work is you have to turn off the fans and hide behind your machine

anybody ever get the surface high-speed toolpaths to quit using helical or ramp entry into "open" pockets where the tool could just feed down off the material?

OK I uploaded it here for anybody who would kindly spend the time... http://www.mediafire.com/?ondfmetzimn

quote: What are your speeds and feeds and what is your cycle time. Can you share the file? Someone might put some toolpaths on it for you quickly (it is not a very complex part) and give you an idea of the amount of time you could save. I bet it is a lot.Im cutting at 90 SFM and .002" per tooth feed I would love to share the file and learn a little about the trochoidal path but, when I tried to drag and drop it onto the FTP site, it asks me if I want to open or save my own file. When I searhed the forum, I found no solution to the problem. So if anybody feels like spending a few minutes helping me out I'd be happy to e-mail the file to ya. thanks again, Kenny

thanks, I know its a MC forum I dont want help with edgecam Im asking about my basic strategy as far as choice of tooling, depth of cuts, # of passes, percent stepover, etc.

I could use some advice on this, Im not a mastercam user but I bet you guys could give me some insight. I just need a basic strategy for milling this pocket in 303 stainless. I usually cut notches and drill holes in aluminum extrusion so this is new territory for me. The gap between those bosses and the walls is barely over 1/4" Im making this part already using a 3/8" TiCN coated fine-tooth china-made rougher leaving .01 on the floor and walls. The depth of the pocket is .535" Im taking it in three .175 deep passes with stepover 30% of cutter diameter. The rougher then finishes the floor with 75% stepover. Then a 1/4" 5-flute IMCO Powrfeed endmill finishes the bosses and the walls. This is all done on an old Tree VMC4024 and programmed in edgecam. I dont have anything like rest-mill capability in edgecam, but I wish I did. What bothers me the most is the webs left between the bosses and the walls when the rougher is done. I hate seeing that IMCO plow through the web at full diameter so I nibble it out in .05" deep passes. So, as far as my basic strategy, what would you guys do different? I would also like to know whether you think I could trim some cycle time based on what I've told you, or if Im already diggin in a little heavy with those cuts. Thanks a lot for any advice, Kenny

Ran my tap this morning using the new adapter, threads look good so I guess it was true enough. I couldn't buy a new holder for $400-500 since It was just two holes, plus I'm like GoetzInd, I like it when it gets tricky. Most of the time I'm milling little notches and slots in aluminum extrusion so I enjoyed this little project. Thanks again yall

Thats a good idea J Coulston and thanks guys, but I finished the adapter today right before I left everything looks good and true in the 1" holder I milled a piece of 1" round bar with a circular pocket the diameter of the tap shank and then a square pocket at the bottom to accept the tap drive Then I turned it over and milled off one of the four sides of the square pocket so the set screw would contact the tap drive.

and I only got two holes to do its a 3/4-10 tap going 3-1/2" through a soft steel bar I tried it starting by hand already, but the threads wandered away at the bottom of the hole - looked straight to me! anyway, guess Im milling an adapter next to put this thing in a 1" tool holder w/ set screw any words of wisdom?