If you are dealing with leftovers in the blank database from manipulating solids then save some, only solids. This effectivly outputs the solid(s) and necessary defining entities blanked or visible. I do this before starting toolpaths and blank all defining entities, creating new toolpath geometry from the solid. This keeps me from mucking my solid by accident. CB

Having never seen a pull stud come loose (exception partially screwed in by hand and taper failed to register in spindle) Having seen many problems from overtightining, collets, studs, clamps, vises etc except during tool change the bellvile washers maintain force. Locktite unnessary. A decent snug works great and prevents problems later down the road

Just what kind of surfacing is this guy referring to. Mastercam has had bullet proof miultisurf since V8. Gantry drilling 5 axis spar holes aint no trick in MC. Loft and other reference data keeps well in the blank database. Perhaps he finds the learning curve daunting or is pining for the purity of APT code. Would he be so kind as to post an example of a part that would be more efficiently processed on another CAM system by the avalable pool of experienced skilled programers familar with that CAM package. Yes full time 5 axis kellering can produce an optimal cutter path for spar milling. But at the end of the day a less efficient but avalable and practical set of tools got the job done. Charlie Mirror x and Mirror y = 180 deg rotation

I have seen consistant results when machining super-alloys, high nickle, nastalloy, high temp alloys using the following guidelines. Positive rake, sharp tool, SFPM at lower limit, and a combination of (if not prohibited by customer)high lubricity cutting oil, with sulfer and chorine. We use MolyDee (300 ksi film strength) when possible These alloys are generally abrasive, ductile yet work hardening. A larger chip load at lower rpm with an extreme pressure lubricant greatly reduces cutter wear. Try to climb cut. Light cuts at higher SFPM with a water based coolant while applicable in some cases, probably allows the cutter to rub and dull as water based coolants do not have sufficient film strength or chemical additives to reduce friction and wear. Oil and chemicals really help below 200 sfpm. If you loose a tool and work harden the part do not try to recut it unless absolutly necessary.

Davidgil I dont know if this will be of any use but the manual for 2000g control can be downloaded free of charge from yaskawa web site. They actually (believe it or not) will provide technical support over the phone. Worst case e-bay a tape punch. YASNAC SERVICE IS PROVIDED BY YASKAWA In USA or South America: Our full Technical Support Staff and Call Center are available by phone at 800-927-5292, menu option 4 or by email, weekdays, 7am to 7pm (CST). In Canada: Contact Yaskawa Motoman Canada by phone at 800-854-4124 or by email, weekdays, 8am to 6pm (EST). In Mexico: Contact Pillar Mexicana by phone at 52-55-5660-5553 or by email, weekdays, 9am to 6pm (CST). After-Hours Emergency Service: Available by phone at 800-927-5292, menu option 4. While this thing is older than dirt it is closed loop, follows orders and has real time diagnostic output. While I still curse the day I offered to help my freind with his, if you manage to get it going I can e-mail you an operational procedure for a Mori Seiki SL-2. [email protected] Best of luck C.B. Mitsubishi still has the manual for download for the old DC spindle drives

Way cool The backplot is awesome, forward, backstep, rotate, zoom, translucent tool holder. Way to go. Charlie Gave up on IDIOT PROOF, the best I hope for is MORON RESISTANT

Department of redundancy Department Watch out for for filter settings. I may be wrong but in my opinion V9 filter creates arcs in yz or xz and fails to let MC know about the arc axis change Without knowing this g18 or g19 change was sent by the filter your next arc may have a deeper meaning than you intended. Most of us disable xz and yz arcs in the filter to avoid suprise deductions on payday. C.B. Got 2 paychecks Friday, an extended road trip and some time off. Toolbox was in back of my truck. Boss said he was going to get a new one. Lucky me. Finally the respect I deserve.

What is the best way to define a core drill(insert drill) can i make the output have the drill dia. this will force the surface speed? Insert drills present a unique problem as there are two non symetrical tips and a complex form at the bottom of the hole if not drilled through. For a practical workaround draw a line from deepest Z point (use c/l drill) to shallowest Z point (use o/d drill). I know that this is not technically correct (there is a xxxx in the center from a insert drill) however the resultant form pretty well shows the remaining stock. Core drills are another issue. With a pre existing hole as in pre drill or castings these deep DOC inexpensive reamers remove stock quickly and efficiently with a minimum tendancy to follow perhaps off center holes. Try the drill point calculator. Enter od, taper angle (usually 45 deg) and face (tip) diameter, select add to depth for good results. If you want to core out existing holes at max efficiency e-mail me [email protected] and I will send you .MC9 file of my insert core drill that has balanced, symetrical pockets, using low cost trigon inserts, that makes short work of balanced boring a start hole at lowest posible cost. Charlie These guys keep laughing at me at the auto parts store. Had to draw them a picture. I used to have a round thing that had 710 on a pipe on my valve cover. They turned the picture around 180 deg, and keep laughing at me. Rude to say the least.

Just for grins With good common grounding (no ground loop) on a bet, I got 200 feet, 9600 baud (.01 delay) with 2 wire speaker cable. NOT RECOMMENDED For short runs in a EMF clean environment (no arc or spot welding or electrical switching equipment)at lower baud rates 99 cent store phone cable works fine. But with modern CNC and high density code, for reliable high speed communication fully sheilded, no ground loop high quality cable connection is the minimum. Signal boosters may help on longer runs, however the old computer next to the machine suggestion, networked is 100% and essentially free as even kids wont touch old processors. Quit drinking: easy done it thousands of times C.B.

Solid tips A: I am not the sharpest tool in the shed B: Solids rock for geometry construction I make solids , then blank the geometry to keep from messing up the solid later by modifying the geometry. C: You can get the geometry back from your solid lines arcs etc (not weirdo splines like from surfs)whenever you want with create edge curves. D: You can get the surface model easily from the solid with create surfs from solid (faces N solids Y) E: Machining multisurf is 100% correct from surfs. ( been around for years and never violates boundaries when machining all surfs) However from time to time (for me) machining the same multisurf toolpath from solids an important face may dissapear necessitating time consuming and face losing explanations to people who do not want to hear it. (probably my own lack of understanding). F: Each transformation of the solid model creates duplicate entities in the blank database. (Mondo Confuso) To clean up your model (in the solid modeling stage, before toolpaths) Save Some - All Solids. Then File Get this will bring in a clean model with all defining chains in the blank database and a solid that will regenerate. G: To get a chain from a solid (that has a history) that has been filleted (messing up the sharp corners) try solids manager- select. Then click the offending fillet and either supress or delete. Regen gives the sharp corner model and create all edges - solids - faces-y solids-n on the selected face givs a perfect pocket, contour etc at correct 3d space position. In closing, a solid model with history and the defining geometry stashed in the blank database (cleaned of duplicates)will generate reliably any toolpath geometry you wish without biting you in the rear by not regenerating. All the geometry you get back from the solid by create curve or create surface can be manipulated freely without adversly effecting the defining (blanked)chains. Thanks for your patience: the verbose one Charlie

I keep geting tuned up by the simple stuff in the interface that I missed for years like rotate and type A for angle, brings up 2 line option etc. Transform, translate between views, so simple to take a 2d model into 3d wireframe in a few steps. GView rotate makes the most confusing blueprint projection easy. I learned the cereal bowl method for understanding blueprint projections. Put a cube in the bottom of your soup bowl, for the view to the right move the cube to the right side in the bowl (it rotates x plus up 90 deg). G View Rotate gives you perfect projections by then calling c-plane = gview. If you have ever had problems with top/front/side not jiving with your print views give it a try. After years the interface still amazes and humbles me with its simplicity. Henny Youngman rocks Chas

I don't know if it will be any help but I butchered some of Micks and Bulliness VBS code to come up with Lholes.vbs. It places 360 or -360 deg arcs on a named by diameter level and in a named group. Subtracts them from the display list by turning that level off and outputs a level list. For toolpaths select entities - group pick the listed group. Then import operations from library and all toolpaths will use group geometry for cutterpath. Just check feeds, speeds and depths Works great for Drilling, circle mill, pocket etc It is in a recent post and I would be happy to e-mail with libraries if helpfull. C.B.

When forced to work with a funky video system the display list or whatever usually updates and shows arrows after a regen/redraw aka f-3 On the same note assign Alt-f3 to screen clear colors AKA loose the purple, it is a natural extension of redraw Charter Member WTMFC - way to much fun club

Best on the net (DUH ?) e-mail comes a close second Charlie

Lucky dog Woof