Hi fellas. I got this error when posting a simple drill hole program and was wondering what may have caused it. I did recently uninstall X3 from this computer. That is all I did out of the ordinary. When I post, it says errors were detected during post. Do you want to view the messages? So I hit yes and this is what it shows me. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <0> - Report created. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - Initialize posting log file 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - Using MP run version 13.00 and post components version 10.00 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - Initiate opening the post processor file(s). 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - Post processor file name: C:MCAMX4MILLPOSTSMPMASTER.PST 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - The post processor file has been successfully opened. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - Post version information (input): 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - UPDATEPOST Version 13. was used to modify this file. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - The file was modified by this product on 14 Sep 09 08:46:53 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - The post was written to run with Mastercam Version 13. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:28 AM - <2> - The post product type is Mill. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:29 AM - <2> - Initialization of pre-defined post variables, strings, postblocks was successful. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:29 AM - <2> - Search for defined post variables, strings, postblocks was successful. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'maxnccomment$' was re-initialized from 256. to 120. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'dec_seq_left$' was re-initialized from 3. to 4. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'spaces$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'omitseq$' was re-initialized from 0. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'sub_seq_typ$' was re-initialized from 0. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'tplanemode$' was re-initialized from 2. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'nobrk$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'nobrkxz$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'nobrkyz$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'lnobrk$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'lnobrkxz$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'lnobrkyz$' was re-initialized from 1. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'arctype$' was re-initialized from 2. to 5. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'arctypexz$' was re-initialized from 2. to 5. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'arctypeyz$' was re-initialized from 2. to 5. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'larctype$' was re-initialized from 2. to 5. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'larctypexz$' was re-initialized from 2. to 5. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'larctypeyz$' was re-initialized from 2. to 5. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'rotfeed4$' was re-initialized from 2. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'rotfeed5$' was re-initialized from 3. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'lrotfeed4$' was re-initialized from 2. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'lrotfeed5$' was re-initialized from 0. to 1. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - - Post variable 'sub_level$' was re-initialized from 0. to 0. 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - RUN TIME - PST(2342), NCI(9332) - The value of the string select selection variable is out of range: 1011.00 17 Nov 2009 11:19:31 AM - <2> - Successful completion of posting process! Shall i worry about this? I mean the program looks fine. Thanks

Ok I'll try that. thanks fellas.

TPI shouldn't matter to what I'm asking. The thread shape is not like your normal thread. Its a round bottom. 1/2 Rad, 1/2 thread depth on dia and 7" ID. I thought aboout using surface contour but not sure if that would work.

I have a part that is 7" ID and I need to put a thread inside. This will be done on a VMC. The thread is a ball shape as in I need to use a 1/2"R tool to get the thread form. Hope that makes sense. The problem is I have a tool that is 5/16R and I wanted to know if i can do such a thread with that smaller cutter. Kind of like surfacing? I might be out on a limb here but I would think I could program that somehow?

Great, got it. thanks.

Hi. I am trying to get Mastercam to allow me to feed higher then 500 IPM. Everytime I put a number higher, it keeps changing back to 500. I have a high feed mill that I need to push at 640 IPM. Is there a setting somewhere to allow a higher feedrate?

Ok thanks guys. I will try the different methods.

What are you asking me JParis? Just to be up front here, I'm not the most advanced in the 3D toolpaths as of yet. I usually just do pretty standard surfacing so if there are options you think I could use, can you tell me where they are? lol. Thanks fellas.

Where is waterline? Pocket takes too long. **EDIT** I found waterline but I have never used it before so its kind of overwhelming. I will take a look at it.

I have to make a hole 5/8" dia through a 5/8" plate. It has to have a c/sink of 79 degrees. What I normally do for these parts is contour the top with tapered walls in the "depth cuts" parameters and use a .031 bullnose insert cutter. I put in 39.5 for taper. I use .01 doc's. The only problem is I have to plunge the .01 everytime. When I select ramp contour, I don't have the option to use tapered walls anymore, so my question is this. Can I ramp down on a contour using a tapered wall parameter? if i surface it, what kind of toolpath would I use? Finish Contour?

Yes sir/mam that works. Thanks again folks.

Awesome. Thanks. Worked great. However I still have to select intersection every time though. is there a way to keep that selected?

Hi. I have a question when drawing multiple arcs. I have a bunch of intersections that I need holes at. When I pick create arc, circle center point, I select at intersection with hole size then select 2 lines. This is fine but I have a bunch more to do and as soon as I hit apply, the size goes back to zero and I have to put it back in every hole. I hope I explained this clear enough. Am I missing something to make it quicker to plot the holes? Thanks. Dave

Awesome. That was it. Thank you.

Is it just me or is X4 outputting linear moves on arcs more then ever? In most of my 2D toolpaths, arcs are not being created in G02/G03 format but rather in linear moves. I did a high speed 2D toolpath (a big pocket) and I can't find the option that uses arcs. Am I blind or is there no option? I see in the transitions properties a tab to output 3d arcs however it doesn't output when its helixing down. It does however change to arcs while its cutting flat.

Right. Money is a little tight though as being the economic situation so maybe later down the road, I can just upgrade. For the time being, 1500.00 is pretty much my limit.

I had it overclocked to 3.0ghz but it gets really hot in here and it didn't hold stable to well. I didn't want to bother getting aftermarket cooling and stuff either. Anyway I got the ok to buy this stuff. I will post it, however my boss told me straight out, "Make sure you get the right stuff this time" so........Will this be sufficient. CPU - Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.66GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S Motherboard - EVGA X58 Micro mATX LGA1366 DDR3 2PCIE-16 1PCI-E1 1PCI SLI SATA2 Sound Dual GBLAN 1394 RAM - Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1600C9 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 Core i7 Memory Kit Graphics - NVIDIA Quadro FX 580 by PNY 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E16 DVI Dual DisplayPort Workstation Video Card Power Supply - Corsair TX850W 850W CMPSU-850TX 12V 70A 24PIN ATX Active PFC 140M Fan Power Supply Harddrive(err I mean Flash Drive) - OCZ Vertex 120GB 2.5IN SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD

I have another switch up. I figured I should be asking this in a computer forum but most of those guys have no idea what Mcam is so I'm gonna ask here. I got this drive - OCZ Vertex 120GB 2.5IN SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD and opted to keep my 8800GT video card. Is the price difference worth the difference in speed on these drives? Most importantly, will I notice it on Mcam. I don't care about boot up times, program opening times or anything like that. Will this drive increase my processing time in Mcam? By how much?

Good theory. I might just do that. Thanks.

I actually DO do alot of 3D. Thats the reason I was asking, lol. 2D doesn't slow me down at all with my current specs. I'm not even so much as interested in display. I am leaning more towards getting the toolpath to process faster. I don't think the graphics card plays too much a role in that does it?

I can't answer the solid state question but with 64bit, it allows you to use more memory. With 32 bit, you can't see more then 4GB minus video ram. So if you have 1gb of video ram, windows will only see 3GB physical ram. With 64 bit the limit is Alot more. How much more depends on a few factors. You can google max system ram for 64bit. Take note its not a number like 10 or 20 GB more, Its more like over 100GB. heres a site that has some explanations. msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx Back to the original topic though. i have these specific items on the list. I got the approval to buy. What do you think? Video card - FX 580 Quadro 512 GDDR3 Motherboard - MSI X58M CPU - Intel Core i7 920 Quad Memory - 6GB Corsair DDR3-1600 Power Supply - Corsair TX750W 750W OS - Vista 64 Ultimate [ 09-19-2009, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: Thoob ]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am pretty comfortable with computers as I build lots of them for friends and family however they are always just home computers and the odd gaming computer. I realize there is different hardware for different programs, thats why I am asking here. To be blunt, I don't want a cheap home jobby nor do I want to buy a refurbished no matter how good a deal it is. I basically just want to replace a few parts ie mobo,cpu, ram, and video. I do lots of 3d models that have alot of detail to them, hence why I need something better. I came here mostly cause of the model I'm currently working on. It took me about 45 mins to process the toolpath with the above specs. This is too long and not making money. So keep the suggestions coming. Thanks guys. By the way what would you recommend for a video card?

Sounds good. You have any recommendations for where to purchase it in Canada?

Hi. I currently have these pc specs. Windows XP Pro 32bit 2GB 800 Ram 8800GT Video card E6700 Dual Core CPU 600W PSU (forget name brand) 250GB WD 7200RPM HD When I'm doing 3D, It takes too long for my liking for processing the toolpaths. What part of the computer will make this faster. I am guessing ram and CPU but I'd like to get a second or third opinion. Any suggestions on decent hardware for X4?

I'm on lathe right now and want to know where if possible there is an option to use M4 instead of M3 Mastercam X4