I see. I thought there was something I wasn't understanding because I knew there was no way you did not know how to do that. Sorry Chris for getting so far off your original topic.

We link ours up and when we create a new part file it stays linked. First toolpath--hit select tool and it will pull from that machines tool library. Sorry Double post

We link ours up and when we create a new part file it stays linked. First toolpath--hit select tool and it will pull from that machines tool library.

If I am understanding correctly what you want to do--can't you just link that machine def to the tool library for that machine right under that check box so everytime you load that machine def it loads the tool library for that machine. I see it is now linked to rich.toodb--link this to haas.tooldb or whatever.

70+ CNC machines, multiple shifts, and shortage of machinists I don't see that changing for us anytime soon.

Trying to lock out programming on the floor by pulling the panel/edit key off of our new Mori Seiki Verticals with MAPPS IV controller. We are full of programs in the front memory (400)and currently have a programmer or setup person unlocking machine to download a program. Does anyone know of a way to download a program without having the panel/edit key? We tried using the user memory area, but while we can punch to it without the key we can not read from it. Drip feeding from the user memory won't work because you can not skip around in the program such as skipping or rerunning a tool. I would be interested in hearing how other companies keep the operators from writing/editing programs on the floor. Thanks

I am also having problems adding tools in lathe, mill seems to work okay for me.

Do I assume that is a favorable opinion?

Oops, Should of posted this in the machining forum.

Does anyone have any opinions on MAG horizontal machining centers? We are looking at possibly buying a new large horizontal(over 1000mm pallet) and need some guidance for this large of a machine. Thanks.

We have several NL3000Y--I prefer the 1250 beds over the 700 ones.

We use Sandvik 210 and Sumitomo Slash mills. The tool life is way better with the Sandvik, but they seem to put a little more pressure on the part. Some application were we switched to the Sandvik picked up vibration.

We have an NL3000Y/1250 and it is Capto as is all of our lathes. We are looking at capto live tooling now.

Thanks for all the replies; it is interesting to see how other companies run things. What works well, and what doesn't.

Now that is funny. Right now we have 7 plants one right next to the other with a machine shop in each plant. The programmer(s) for each plant are under the respective machine shop manager who may or may not have any understanding of what CNC programming involves. Also, each plant tends to run things different, different programming methods, different tooling, etc. Those of you with programming managers: do they program or have any CNC programming background?

Can you guys give me some insight into how your CNC departments are managed? For example do you have several levels of CNC Programmers based on skill level and what is the chain of command within the programming department? I would just like to get some information on how other large companies handle CNC Programming. Thanks

I have used the Machinist Calculator Pro--if you can remember what buttons to push on this, you could probably remember the formulas. The thread info is kind of handy though.

My NL post works with lead-in and lead-out using G112 in both C-Axis Face contour and Mill Contour. Here is a sample: (3/4" INSERT MILL) N1 G0T101G55 G17 M45G98 M69 G0G28H0. G0G30H0. G97S4071M13 G0C0.Y0. G0X11.3458Z2. G12.1 G1X10.85C1.6586F500. Z0. Z-1.F41. G41X11. G3X8.I-.75 G1C-1.6586 G3X11.I.75 G1G40X10.85 Z2.F500. G13.1 G28V0. G53X0.Z-30.M5 M46G99 M1 M30

I asked about mill/turn when I was there--the only reply I got was: "We are working on it."

Yes, the control needs to read the G40 before the G113. I usually manually create the lead-in and lead-out, but it seems I have done it the other way also. I am not at work so I can't see if my post will turn cutter comp on correctly doing this. Try using the cview utility and the regular mill contour toolpath instead of the C axis face contour toolpath. I usually have better luck with these, and I would try to see if lead-in will work with this one. It seems to me that I have used lead-in and lead-out page with success, but I can't remember off hand.

Most of the time my I select entities for drill points and it usually ends up in the order I created the points instead of the order I selected.

pg76$ #G76 threading comment$ gcode$ = zero lrapid$ sav_xa = vequ(copy_x) >>>> if thdface$ = zero, copy_x = thdx3$ #Changed from thdx2$ so X value in G76 line is end X--BLG else, copy_z = thdx2$ if thdface$ = zero, copy_z = thdz2$ else, copy_x = thdz2$ pcom_moveb It has been awhile, but I believe line #5 in the above post block is the only thing I changed to fix this.

I agree 100 percent. I was just responding to MotorCityMinion that it is harder to hire anybody off the shop floor to program that has not done any programming. However using CAPPS, Mazatrol, or Esprit built into the controller is not teaching anyone manual programming in my opinion. I apologize for taking this thread off topic.

-------------------------------------------------- "I left a shop after being there 7 years. They tried to force me to program in Mazatrol and I hated it. Found a new job in 3 days, then went for it. I agree that in a mid to large size shop, off line programming is the way to go but I learned quite a bit programming EIA at the controls. This is one way of getting it to stick and it also helps to spot the guys with potential. Some may see this next statement as silly but I believe part of being a good programmer off line includes the learning curves associated with programming manually. I very rarely eyeball code anymore, but the skill set is still there. I'm also sure there are peeps that can program from a CAM package, without that type of experience, and have done quite well. If I never had the opportunity to program at the machine in my first few years of the trade, I probably would have become board and gone into another line of work. Just an opinion." ------------------------------------------------ I see this side of it also. I started out here programming the machines I ran at the control before moving up to a programmer and I also believe in order to be a great programmer you need to know the manual code inside and out. However, I see all the problems associated with a bunch of operators doing their own thing, not to mention time wasted on the floor. On the flip side if none of the operators program anything--there goes the talent pool from which we hire the programmers. Catch-22.

I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks this way.