G, the universe was telling you that you needed to take a day off! 

Haven't machined magnesium in while, but used to relatively frequently for consumer electronics stuff. Like any self respecting machinist-types, we lit it up out back once. I remember it took a good amount to get going. Like concentrated blow torch for 30sec. Not to toot my own horn, but my processes aren't usually subjected to that kind of heat. Usually.....  So go nuts, and maybe keep the chip conveyer going and one of dem fancy fire extinguishers around that has an expiration date of no later than 5 yrs ago 

Mike 

See, I'm not just a creepy stranger from the internet....

We use these functions extensively on 4x and 5x fanuc controlled machines. If you would like, PM me and we can set up a call and I can communicate some learnings. May be hard and time consuming for me (barely literate) to spell them out here.

Mike  

Your will have to grind as assembly after weld and heat treat to achieve that runout and cylindricity on something of that size.

Mike 

10 years huh. Your optimistic. 

The pro 5 has its own DNC operation screen. Do you have the pro 5 manual? If not I can probably get it for you.

Mike 

We have it and use it extensively. If you want to discuss, shoot me a PM and I'll give you my contact info.

MIke 

Makes sense. Especially since Dave passed. Wonder if they will really keep it operating separately or just roll it out as there new preferred post language. 

Mike 

Quote

In my lifetime of machining we've gone from "machine shop" to "adult daycare center".

I saw it happen in ~3yrs

Mike 

First your tool needs to have the clearance. Which will be kinda tough here. On fanuc, there are two options that work together to do stuff like this. They are call Cs axis control and normal direction control. The second keeps the tool orientated normal to the compensation path (like cutter comp but orienting).  The example below uses the milling spindle but it could also be configures for C axis. Since it is already a rotary axis, you may just need normal direction control. Mazak has versions of this too. Other approach would be to make a macro. This could be done with no additional options but some work to do. If you se stuff like this frequently, may be worth it. Another thing to try is TCP. Depending if your post supports it, you could probably get this to work with axis sub. and a smidge of tilt.

A couple different ways, all will be a little bit of an adventure.

https://www.facebook.com/MstTooling/videos/hale-machining-is-a-cnc-control-technology-made-to-scrape-off-end-mill-cutter-ma/243150534122233/

Edit: Do you have multi-x ? You could get some useful code using morph/along curve and tilt away from the drive surface.

Mike 

For reference. Obviously doesn't help you since you're on a Mazak, but I've seen videos of a Integrex doing the same thing.

Hard pass on tapping NPT in 304SS or anything other than soft metals IMO.  Like G said, thread mill.

Mike 

To certify our code here we have a robust verification (vericut) and version control process that works very well. Serial numbers and ver numbers of programs even get passed down as macro variables in the programs for tracking and recording of probing data etc. This is all part of our AS9100 quality system. However, in another division of our company, the verification process is defined as "checked by machinist", and guess what, both pass our AS9100 audits and most of the time the auditors have no idea of what actually adds control and value and are just checking boxes that you process is being followed. 

Mike

Yes, this is the quality system standard for medical devises. He is probably wondering what Mastercam can do to adhere to the file rev control area of the standard which is a legit concern. This would be handled by a PLM/version control software that would cover everything you do. Not mastercam. Most people don't version control the CAM file but the .NC code since that might see changes outside of CAM anyway.

Mike 

Quote

When I made my original post I think I had been at it for a few months.  Now I have 18 employees and all we do is aerospace work.  I have a letter hanging on my wall thanking my company for our part in the effort of getting astronauts launched from US soil again.  I credit this forum with having a huge impact for me getting from point A to point B.  Many thanks!

Yeah but you threw harder back then I bet. 

Ah I gotcha. You could do that with morph with a offset surface and then turn off tool tip collision. 

Mike 

Along curve or morph would due you well and give you a lot more control.

Mike

Do you have multi-axis? If so, you have a ton of good options.

Mike 

Go slow to go fast. That's my attitude when creating driving wireframe on big projects. I've got one I'm working on now that is 400+ ops. And certainly be going to be seeing revisions. 

Mike 

Also a few clicks with our postabilty post.

Mike 

I've used a dongle server with great success with mastercam over VPN in the past. It has been 7 years though. The place I'm at now has net hasps.

Mike 

*IF* you're post is set up right, I think all 2d/3d toolpaths can support C-axis. Go to the axis sub tab and select 3 axis.

Mike 

Solid ceramic end mills rarely make economic sense in HRA's IMO. Most tooling companies won't even supply them on test since they understand this. Indexable is a different story. Also, the unpredictability of tool life with solid ceramics is a big drawback. Slow but consistent carbide milling usually ends up being more economical. At least we've found it is.  

Mike 

We do this with the method MrFish is showing above. I imagine there is some post config stuff that needs to be done. We are also using TCP so that's nice too.

Mike 

Yeah that thing must have gotten knocked around pretty good. I know it's a bigger machine but likely should be way better. The parameter backup from installation may have the original #19700 values. CNC apps guy showed me the #19700's on a MAM100H at IMTS and they were all in the sub 10micron range (Not sure why I remember that). So my guess is that the factory spec is a little bit better than .037in. Can you list #19700-#19705? 

Mike