...sounds like your entry/arc is a full 180.....either shorten the arc sweep or check the box for perpendicular entry

What version of Mastercam are you running?

The tailstock feature is still in development for MMT....but the live center can be added......once you've loaded a machine go to the stock setup tab of the machine group properties. look for the properties button for tailstock center....

....gotta set the folder's options...its a PITA in win7....basically in an explore window one level up from the one you wanna see thumbnails in right click the target & goto properties/customize....make the folder a picture or video folder & you get thumbnail views

I've got a file I can send you to get the ball rolling....several things to consider; Tool definition options(clearance, etc...) are somewhat limited on standard tooling but the custom tool type (even as a custom boring bar) allows you to address primary plunge and cut directions....the primary cut for this will be opposite a "standard" boring bar.... Keep an eye on entry/exit vectors and motion too. Lastly, using a point toolpath to guide the tool into the part is probably a good idea too. careful with regeneration as you may have to repick the points.

A couple more thoughts Dan - 1 - the entity attribute manager trumps all kinds of settings if it's active (click the attribute button on the status bar to check) Even if you don't use it opening someone else's file that has it active may mess you up. 2 - If you have color issues with shading check the shade settings. Shading can use entity color or a material's properties (like chrome or dull plastic)

QQ-A-250/11 is plate QQ-A-200/8 is extruded bar

are you sure its not tool settings in the machine group using an overide feedrate?

the create menu has an ellipse tool. It uses a dialog box which can expand to reveal more tools/parameters (like rectangular shapes). look for a small arrow or chevron in the upper left corner of the dialog box.

Actually it's in the Control Def (which is attached to the machine def...) To make a temporary Change (i.e. - you've loaded a machine def in to an mcx file with some toolpath) 1 - expand the properties icon of the machine group and click the files tab 2 - click the edit button in the machine/toolpath copy section 3 - this opens the local machine def properties window. there's an icon at the top a little left of center (looks like a little tv set with a red dot and a green dot) click it to acces the control definintion 4 - this opens the local control def properties window. click the topic "arc" 5 - you can set each plane (XY, XZ, YZ) independently; radius gives you R's, delta start to center gives you IJK To make the change permanent click the settings menu and go to the machine definintion manager...the processes and dialog boxes are nearly identical but you'll be editing the library copy in the cnc machines folder.

No, but an oscillating contour might be interesting.... I think Lee's right; get the insert applications guy involved, make sure it's the right tool/insert/feed..

maybe xform template then.....

make one and use xform rectangular array for the other instances

what you describe is literally subroutines,not subprograms...would require significant post editing...

could you post a code sample for one hole that shows what you hand edit?

All of this is covered in our two day intermediate mill course. check with your local reseller as they probably offer something too.

can you make edge curves around the whole target area? If so, then make one new surface; then you can control the flow by the order of curve picking - (i.e. along vs. across...)

We offer a 1 day X transition course. and we're in your neighborhood

not exactly what you asked for, but http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads.html Airfoil profiles as data files

Again no offense; but what we do all day, everyday is figure things out. S4A has put a lot into our training program and we continue to do so. Generally speaking you don't see our guys posting problems here if they've cycled thru the program (AND done copious independent study before and after). Again no offense - there's lot of self taught guys in here who really know their stuff. My principle argument for formal training in any subject is (deep breath) expedited ignorance eradication when one starts learning a new subject one is quite literally in a state of ignorance. take advantage of those who've come before and laid groundwork for you to build on. then go forward and innovate - you can come back and teach us all something

I think I'd look at the HST parameters (and how I was using drive/check/containment/depth limits) before trimming a hst path... I think Trim's cool in Lathe or 2D milling to get "containment like" effects...

we also modified settings in dynamic xform; the default is to switch immediately to manipulate geometry mode. To change this call the function and when the gnomon and ribbon bar controls appear click the exclamation point icon towards the left end of the ribbon bar. un check the box that says "switch to manipulate geometry after initial gnomon placement". Now the user controls when the switch from manipulte axes to manipulate geometry occurs...

If you're generating the subs (and fixture offset calls) with toolpath transform then you can increment or decrement the numbers.... Look in the lower right corner of tab one; The field labeled start is first number, The field labeled increment is what I mean. So for example a start number of 0 = G54 an Increment of 1 would call G55, G56, G57 A start number of 3 = G57 an increment of -1 would call G56, G55, G54

A quick tech tip: we've noticed the dynamic tools to be a bit sensitive in non-native files (i.e. - opening a solidworks .sldprt file then calling dynamic xform or dynamic planes) can sometimes lead to a crash. Executing a quick save to mcx format eliminates the problem...

your comparisons are erroneous. What part of 2D versus 3D did I not make clear? When you talk about a swarf path you talk about a path with 3D comp (no valid comparison to 2D contour) Version 6 to X4? cave paintings to HD video. Use the right tool for the right job.