Milling,does it all! - sizing,squaring and finish machine cavity in single set up. Can even have a rad on insert profile so no need undercutting the Mold base pockets at the corners. Reliev the bottom portion of Insert before HT- HeatTreatment , then only size the top portion, hence no problem about taperd walls.

To Tony, If you draw centerline it has to be centreline type

You may accomplish this BY 2D spiralling in by using Surface Blend. Create a Flat Floor Surface. Offset your contour line by the amount u wanna start your spiral. Use two contours and blend - and you will be done!!

Your misc integers might have a switch for the A Axis to let go both sides + and -. Right now it may be keeping - and winding C axis to achieve the same tool position. Have a look :

Hi CParish, If during backplot you switch off the rapid display,and save. You wont have to delete rapids coz they wont get saved!

Surface finish contour with lollypop can go into undercuts.

It is possible, and not too difficult at all. Dont be afraid , job can be done. Every cutter company has Hard milling cutter range ( TiAlN coated),contact your local suppliers. Do not use coolant. Use Air blast. Has to have the Hard milling strategy(Step overs,Step downs,F,S)

High speed spindle:- www.airturbinetools.com Investigate the available drill lengths. Probably may need 3 drills 1=0.5deep 2=1.0deep 3=1.5deep. Sure you can get sucess.Try!

Easy ... Use Titex DrillS ( Made in Germany )

May also use steep shallow limits for floor

Ya tahts what I mean Constantz is another name for surf finish countour, and u will not get it to touch floor. Do a seperate toolpath strategy for flooring it.

constant z would do that, why not try Blend/scallop/pencil to floor it. can leave walls with what u have now.

Trim toolpath from side view is a good tool if bring into practice.

MC X4 has a toolpath called Dyanmic mill, Is it not like copy of Surfcams true mill. Features like:- Constant engagement angle,microlifts,fast returns.

Draw the neutral plane at 33% from the inside radii. Like offset the internal edge of the cossection at 33% of thickness . Then open up and unroll it.( will have to manually draw) Construct the features/notches windows etc on the flattened shape and you will be ok to go. Hope gives some idea. $0.02

Programmer is one who drives the machine tool ( not operates!) CNC machines are not to be operated, they are made to be driven. It is obvious that one who has operated manual machine tools and has had experience in cutting/milling/turning/grinding metal etc would be driving them thru computers. Not 100% Necessarily these days only machinists could be programmers. Because of high end CAD/CAM and Design happening before manufacturing, The Designers/Enginers are also programmers and no doubt they have better command on the CAD and Product side. Some have passion to drive cars,some to fly plane, some sail ship. Some have passion/art to draw/sketch and design. And the ones who have passion to Drive Machine Tools and cut metal with metal are the "Programmers". Does'nt matters whether u r underpaid,unappreciated,overworked. What all matters is creativity/concept/design/attitude and devotion in your field.

Draw the cusp height and feel the bumps. I mean draw two circles( the dia being the dia of cutter) Make them apart by the stepover u intend. Check what is the resultant bumb height. It is a geometrical way to judge it. Simple!

Exactly!! PM.

Seems like kwolf has seen this in some other CAM system. Right?

This can be done out of mastercam ( see what your machine provides you with schedule program) For example u have Prog A, B, C, D from any file, as far as they have correct offsets to go to. Just writing a little schedule prog will call prog A, B, C and then D in the order u want. Its not sub prog. It has its use ( for eg I have 4 jobs , running overnight-unattended. I have 4 seperate progs. I write a little schedule prog to call each 1, one after another and it does the job all night. In my case I dont merge MC files cos they are totaly different jobs. 2cents

With so much wealth of expert feedback and dedicated users,CNC software can make MC run like a marvel! Who listens?

Not to Worry! JayMan, I suggest consult your supplier and ask for 1 to 1 training, He might come and train you about only what you do. Or ask about someone who can come in for a day to show where is what and how to work in X2/3 Just imagine! I trained a person in 2 days who had not used any CAM system b4 but had only seen little bits. Now he is Programming!! There is a big hype about V9 and X One only needs "Openmind" tablets in the Pharmacy store. Imagine people use 2~3 different CAM systems,I wonder why hesitate to jump only from MC9 to MCX. Hire a good trainer bud and you will feel young again!!

Tin means the product package. ( a bit European I suppose....) Treat Design/Mill as 1 Mastercam. You draw lines,circles,surfaces,solids,edit etc,that happens in the Design module, when you select a machine you enter into Mill module.Easy! Have fun exploring MC, it is similar to Surfcam just needs to know where is what. Oke

Under 5ax multiaxis , you have a constant Z option. Tilt your tool axis (may be a fixed angle).Rest it will do for you. Hope this is what u r after. 2cents

If corner radius not entered, it treats it as an endmill of the given diameter. By putting the corner radius value you make the custom cutter work like a Bull mill or a Ball nose. Otherwise it is a plain end mill if figures not entered Draw the profile 1:1 and off you go.... 2 cents