Colin, K I will mess with it. You know I bought the CD that mastercam offers for post explanation and help. I am going through it very slowly, VERY slowly. Any other resources you guys suggest. Besides the forum, which has been absolutely a gem find for me. I could kick myself for not logging earlier. Ty, Chris

My shop does only in house production for our manufacturing. However, we are considering doing work for others in our industry and this seems like a good opportunity to ask about software to help quote parts. Any suggestions? Or-How do others quote parts, have you all created your own formulas depending on specific conditions? TY, Chris

Ron, All looks good. The mr5 value in the first operation posts to the correct location and I fixed the end of lathe operations to give me the reference return and I added an optional stop as well. I did have to adjust the code: fmt Z 2 mr5$ to not post a "z" before the cutoff value. so I get code: (3.666 part + cutoff) instead of code: (Z3.666 part + cutoff) I just removed the Z from the above statement. That was a guess, so I hope it is the correct way to do it. One more question. I do not get the cutoff value posted if I enter a mr5 value in any operation besides the first. Is it possible to utilize other operations for mr/mi values in this way? As I might want to activate these values in other operations. Ty, Chris

Ron, I appreciate all the help thus far. I will mess with it later today and let you know how it turns out. TY, Chris

Ron, K here is the section of the post you asked to see. code: pl_retract #Retract tool based on next tool gcode, lathe (see ptoolend) cc_pos$ = zero if home_type = one, [ xh$ = vequ(start_xh) pmap_home #Get home position, xabs ps_inc_calc #Set inc. pbld, n$, psccomp, e$ pcan1, pbld, n$, *sgcode, pfxout, pfzout, [if drop_offset, *toolno], strcantext, e$ ## removed , pfyout mjs if lathe_stop | synch_flg | n1_gcode = 1003 | n1_posttype <> posttype$ | n1_spindle_no <> spindle_no$, [ pbld, n$, pnullstop, e$ ] ] else, [ #Retract to reference return pbld, n$, `sgcode, psccomp, e$ # if home_type = m_one & drop_offset, pbld, n$, *toolno, e$ # pcan1, pbld, n$, *sg28ref, "U0.", [if y_axis_mch, "Y0."], "W0.", strcantext, e$ if lathe_stop | synch_flg | n1_gcode = 1003 | n1_posttype <> posttype$ | n1_spindle_no <> spindle_no$, [ #pbld, n$, pnullstop, e$ ] if home_type > m_one & drop_offset, pbld, n$, *toolno, e$ ] pm_retract #Retract tool based on next tool gcode, mill (see ptoolend) if home_type = one, [ xh$ = vequ(start_xh) pmap_home #Get home position, xabs if frc_cinit, cabs = zero ps_inc_calc #Set inc. pbld, n$, psccomp, e$ if frc_cinit, pbld, n$, pclampoff, e$ pcan1, pbld, n$, *sgcode, pfxout, pfyout, pfzout, protretinc, [if drop_offset, *toolno], strcantext, e$ pbld, n$, pnullstop, e$ ] else, [ #Retract to reference return pbld, n$, `sgcode, psccomp, e$ if home_type = m_one & drop_offset, pbld, n$, *toolno, e$ if frc_cinit, pbld, n$, pclampoff, e$ pcan1, pbld, n$, *sg28ref, "U0.", [if y_axis_mch, "Y0."], "W0.", protretinc, pnullstop, strcantext, e$ if home_type > m_one & drop_offset, pbld, n$, *toolno, e$ ] I am looking for the cutoff value to go here code: N110 (BAR CHANGE 7000) ( 3.366 PART + CUTOFF) <-----number put here (N1 ) (N2 ) (N3 ) (N4 ) (N5 ) (N6 ) (N7 ) (N8 ) G20G40G80G99 G30U0V0W0M5 G28B0M9 /2M98P7000 G54T0505 G0X0Z.02 M31 M69 M51(BAR FEED) M68 G0W.5 G30U0V0W0 G28B0 M01 THis way the operator can set up g54 based on this number. every new bar feeds to a stop .15 outside spindle, catching remnant in parts catcher at same time, is cleaned on face and then feeds out the 3.666 to another stop. No tool touch off needed, just add 3.666 to offset. I more need it as an inserted comment in the parenthesis so the operator does not have to find the value in program. Hope that clears it up. Chris

Cappy, How many lines/entities are linked between the two points you selected for the face? If more than one entity and not just a straight line as stated above-are they trimmed correctly to one another? Do you have multiple copies of entities on top of one another? Did you make adjustments to your lead in/out that might be affecting it? Just some thoughts. Chris

Yes I am using the G30 in the mi variables. As it stands it creates a g30u0v0w0 at the beginning of every operation, right before the tool change. However, all milling operations also end with G30u0v0w0h0. I would like the turning ops to end with G30u0v0w0. So Ron, to answer your question the g30 command is in use. The only other reference return I use is a g28B0 for sub spindle but only during transfer operations. TY, Chris

Anyone have an approx price on partmaker? I've heard that for mill/turn applications and swiss machining it is great. Just curious on it's price tag compared to others. TY, Chris

any ideasd on this one TY, Chris

I apologize for being vague. I put it at the start of file so that when I post, the text in my original thread is the first thing you see. It feeds out the bar to a stop and all operations come after this text. It works fine when I post, I just have to manually input the part length + cutoff. I would like the cutoff position to be input into the "(part + cutoff)" section for operator purposes. The value is always derived from my last MC operation cutoff position(and I never chamfer on cutoff so there should only be one Z value in that OP). Ron I apologize in advance, I see the spot in the post you referred to regarding reference return, but what do I need to modify there?

I know price talk is shun upon. But i'm not asking about MC so hope this is cool. What is ballpark price for something like partmaker or esprit? Between 5K-10K or over 10K. Chris

K been messing with my post. Here is the opening to every file. pbld, n$, "(BAR CHANGE 7000)", e$ "( PART + CUTOFF)", e$ "(N1 )", e$ "(N2 )", e$ "(N3 )", e$ "(N4 )", e$ "(N5 )", e$ "(N6 )", e$ "(N7 )", e$ "(N8 )", e$ "G20G40G80G99", e$ "G30U0V0W0M5", e$ "G28B0M9", e$ "/2M98P7000", e$ "(FEED OUT)", e$ "G54T0505", e$ "G0X0Z.02 ", e$ "M31", e$ "M69", e$ "M51(BAR FEED)", e$ "M68", e$ "G0W.5", e$ "G30U0V0W0", e$ "G28B0", e$ "M01", e$ ltlchg$ I would like to put the generated neg Z movement during cutoff in the "((ex. -3.366 here)part + cutoff) section" Is there a relatively easy way to do this or should I just stick with hand entering it when editing? Also if I would like G30U0V0W0 M1 to appear at the end of every turning(not milling) op where does it go? I could not figure it out. I appreciate all the help. TY, Chris

All, TY guys good to know. I appreciate the time spent on the posts. Makes me feel better about the time spent modifying/tweeking solids. Chris

Colin, I very much appreciate the post. I'de buy you lunch for that info, but you know Wa to Chi town kind of far. Never touched a three phase tool before starting CNC. Lots of learning as I go. Kind of thrust into the field as I have degrees in something completely non related. So this may be dumb, but how do I use solids to control toolpaths. So far I have found it easier to create my own geometry based on a drawing or modifying a solid using more geometry to create the toolpath. We do everything for in house manufacturing so I draw everything myself. What suggestion would you have for using outsourced solid modeling/prints to complete tool ops (as we are considering taking on parts for others in our industry)? Is it common place to assume that any solids model or outsourced file will need modification to be machined? Is this the norm? It seems like 90% of working this way is fudging the solids and creating new geometry until it works. If this is the norm I am cool with that. Not bi$#@ing. Just want to make sure I am on track with common practice. Just trying to make this stuff work. This is kind of a long post-really any general banter/philosophy will help. TY again, Chris

I uploaded a file to the FTP under X2 folder called slitting saw arbor mandrel. I've have encluded two ops. both milling, doing the same procedure. The only difference is one uses geometry for the chain and the other uses a solid face. How can I get the op using the solid face to mill like the one using the geometry? The op using the solid does not mill enough of the part to get a complete flat. As you can see in verify. Now I know verify is not for sure, but even the post G code does not cover the flat correctly. How can I use solids toolpaths to mill parts without having to fudge the geometry? TY, Chris

Hey how do I purge the list of tool ops in the import tool operations tab. I've exported so many ops the list is huge. Sometimes when I go back to import a list I can't find the correct list under the tree, because it's so long. Anybody know what I'm talking about? Or am I just not exporting/importing correctly? TY, Chris

TY, I very much appreciate it. Chris

Ron, Would you mind posting a part to the FTP that you do main and sub work as you describe. The more operations the better. I would like to compare drilling and live tool ops to yours. Anything would be a help. I appreciate your help thus far. Chris

Mike, I'll have to drop by sometime and see partmaker once you have it up and running. Heard you got the MX. how's it running? Chris

Ron, Is this the section you mean? I am still in the infantile (more like single cell) stages of understanding/editing posts. Also, can you give me an idiots version of what you mean by "...copy it in the WCS for sub work." i did not follow. ty, chris pwcs #G54+ coordinate setting at toolchange if home_type >= one, [ sav_frc_wcs = force_wcs if sub_level$, force_wcs = zero if workofs$ <> prv_workofs$ | (force_wcs & toolchng), [ if sub_level$, result = mprint(swrkserror) if workofs$ < 6, [ g_wcs = workofs$ + 54 *g_wcs ] else, [ p_wcs = workofs$ - five "G54.1", *p_wcs ] ] force_wcs = sav_frc_wcs !workofs$ ]

got another one. When working on lathe sub chuck I use g56 work offset. When I create a tool path that is turning, the tool parameter page must be set to offset 1 to generate g56. When I do any type of milling on sub it needs to be set to 2 to generate g56. Why? It's no big deal to set, but to keep things straight it gets confusing especially if I want to use more than just g54 and g56. As an example I have an operation that uses g54 and g55 for main work. g59 for transfer and g56 for sub work. Am i wrong to assume that selecting a work offset of 1 in the parameters tab should generate a g56 regardless of operation, main or sub chuck or for any other reason? help me make it easier I will post more shortly, I've been saving up questions. Ty, chris

Hoping someone can help. I created geometry on one level and solids on another level. When I go to do stock transfer the geometry moves just fine, but the solids do not. I made sure both levels were visible in the level manager, before selecting geometry in the stock transfer window. What am I missing? Also, I have read a few posts regarding bugs in stock tranfer. Anyone have an issue with the location of the sub chuck? It's correct only about half of the views. Sometimes it's where I want it sometimes not, without changing any values, just regens. it moves. Also, does sub work not show on verify? It always locks up after tranfer. TY, chris

just curious what forums everyone visits for general machining talk/questions/talk about machines/etc. Looking for other resources. TY, Chris

All, Anyone have any problems with the help menu of MC locking up the computer when using the search function/index. I am running X2 MR2 SP1-lathe/mill lvl 1. Running: presario f500 AMD X2 dual TK-53 1.7ghz Nvidia GeForce Go 6100 1000 ram vista TY, Chris

using firefox. I' will download IE when I get a chance. My procedure is correct though, right? Just drag my file onto the open window showing the FTP tree of folders. Yeah, the geometry is what I thought I was goign to have to do. Just thought I would try to simplify. TY very much. Chris