It is a very useful product. I have cut molds at speeds I wouldn't have thought it was capable of. Yes, your Fanuc can handle it as long as it is 5 axis ready. I also recommend getting Johns post as it needs zero tweaking! By far the least inexpensive way to get into true 5 axis machining.

It probably has look-ahead at the very least. Try it out. In MDI command G8P1, and if you don't alarm out you have it, make sure you cancel it with G8P0. Next Try AICC/SHPCC which is G5.1Q1, if it does not alarm out you have it, cancel with G5.1Q0. Next try HPCC which is G5P10000 and G5P0 to cancel. These have some specific no-no's while in effect, canned cycles, program re-start, etc...

 

Didn't we find out sometime ago that Macro commands will not work in M198? I know it was on a newer control, but I would think the same would apply?

 

</FONT>

quote:

...off the wall things...

All the machines have com. cables to them, and you can send programs both ways.

 

The only odd thing is that they have three separate com. cables coming from 3 separate ports on the back of the computer. I am fimiliar with building the com. wires, as I said earlier the computer is old, and running Windows 2000.

 

I will try changing the machine definition for the lathe. (I wondered if that would work).

 

Thanks everyone.

You typically want com one and it is generally a 9 pin port. To test it, find pin two (send) and three (receive). if it's a female port, bend it to go into the pin holes, if it's male just touch it across pins two and three. Open your com program up and make sure it is using com one. Send anything out. If it echos on the screen, you have the right port.

I just started working for a place that has "older" machines then I'm use too.

 

I will start with afew questions. Does anyone know if a 1986 Kitamura Mycenter 3b mill with a Fanuc 11M control can be DNC'ed?,

or the Mori Seiki MV-35 mill with a Fanuc 6M B control?

 

I will also need to know if anyone is willing to help with a post mod. for the Mori Seiki SL-1 lathe with a Fanuc 6T control.

this lathes x axis is backwards from all the other lathes I have programed. Also the tool offsets are from the center of your part.

 

They have been using Mastercam version 9 and a computer with Windows 2000. They are willing to buy a new computer, so I can run my seat of

Mastercam X5.

 

I have tried DNC'ing both mills with no succes. I put the machine in TAPE mode and pushed cycle start, and I was using mastercams communication

for sending. Did not work, on either mill.

 

Please help, and a big thanks to those of you who respone!!!

The 6M should not need a BTR unless it's an 6MA without the RS-232 option, then it would need the BTR. Just because you have a port, doesn't mean it's hooked up either!

Don't try to use a regular serial cable, it won't work. You have to make a cable. Buy Belden 4 wire shielded cable and the correct plugs. Pins 2 and 3 must be flipped. In other words, CNC end pin 2 goes to computer end pin 3 and vise-versa. 7 is straight thru. Jumper pins 6 and 8 at each end. Your baud and parity need to be correct. Even Parity, 7 data bits and one stop bit are normal for a Fanuc. Any comm package will work if all of the above are correct.

Easiest way to correct the backwards axis is to change the machine definition. If that doesn't work, you can multiply by -1 on X axis in the post and that will flip the sign.

I'm running the 32 bit version. I didn't have to register anything or change anything in the setup. I am able to open the sldprt file without a problem? I am not using the Solidworks translator, just directly opening the part file to work with. Of course, I have no part history, just the "brick", but it works fine so far.

I have found this to be a real stable release, compared to the past ones even with the new layout of directory's that takes getting used to.

I have been cutting with it for months from 2axi to 5 axis Verticals , Horizontals and have a had good results for sure.

Multiaxgod were do you live? as I see you come out to visit Steve here in Cali. Steve does not even visit me or call anymore I feel left out Steve.

I used to live in the OC '80 to '84. Worked for the DoD then.

Temecula from '95 to '09 and worked with Steve in Anaheim. Lucky me huh?

Ill call you we hes out this way, he mentioned sumfin about dinner in Newport.

Ill even let you pay

Dinner's at your place maroon! I'll get the Shark Steaks tho'

I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to make tho. My truck engine shot craps and I am looking for a new one right now. Hopefully can find one before Xmas, but 454's are hard to find! Have to pick up my other car which is still in Temecula and have a storage locker there too full of furniture and stuff!

One problem that has come up is reviewed in this thread

I'm glad you added this about the helix problem gcode, because we use that a significant amount and you are correct that most machines won't rapid with comp on. Two of the parts in this project that I loaded X5 for have about 50 helix bores each and without knowing that in advance, would have been upsetting.

gcode, Is there a fix for the coolant settings?

I haven't posted any code yet, so I hope there isn't a coolant on/off problem!

What do you think what x5 is? it is x4 plus new stuffs.

Look, touch, feel, seems to be pretty much the same at this point but I can't say yet because I haven't generated any code. Will say (or possibly scream) later, but so far it seems to be more features and the following of Microsoft rules more than anything. If you are going to install, just follow some of the things that JParis and gcode have out here about the install and you should be fine.

I will add this, other than a problem with the first download not working (which took over an hour) the install went smooth and the configuration is not such a big deal if you know what to look for. Including download time and all migrating, so far I only have about 4 hours into it to get it running the way I want. I'll compliment the fact that this is the first install that went this smoothly. Have been able to open files easily enough. Haven't generated code yet, but that won't be a problem either hopefully!

duh! Nevermind about my config question. I just re read the documentation! LMAO! What a maroon! Sometimes I have to wonder if my pants are put on backwards!

Thanks Chris. We don't have enough set up yet for X4 so I will just set all new settings in X5.

Thanks to everyone for your input. We're installing it today.

Love the Serenity pic g. Shiny!

Come on down while your here, we'll ignite the flame pit and charr some mammal flesh.

 

2 games ahead of us but you also have to play us again

Missin me some Thresher Shark from the Dory Fleet at Newport!

Yep, I'll be in the front row amigo! K on one cheek and C on the other!

Us beta crew have been running this version of x5 for quite some time. imho one of the best releases with the most forethought, and migration is pretty darn solid...Everybody is right, it's pretty much install, migrate, and hit the ground running.

 

That said we all know problems can happen, if you've got a really hot part and don't have time nor patience right now to get to know x5, think about waiting until you've got some breathing room, just for the piece of mind. Also plan on 10 extra minutes to build a new config.

 

Give the what's new a good look-at, maybe their is a function that will make your current project go a heck of alot easier though!

Chris, I have read alot of the documentation and don't quite "understand" where they are going with this "configuration" deal? It looks to me like that's just the migration of machine type, etc. We don't have much set up (i.e.: no tool libraries, material libraries, multiple user interfaces, etc.) the only thing I have gotten done here is the machine and control def's and posts for the basic formatting stuff. I haven't written that much code into them yet, alot of questions formatted and variable statements basically, that I am all that worried about it.

There are some functions that I would like to try on this project plus it will open the native Solidworks 2011 files, which is a big plus.

Don't forget that all your coolant settings will not work as they should and you will beed to keep going back and changing them. Also, it will keep using whatever default it feels like at any point.

? I have been using the new X style coolant layouts without a prob in X4. Won't this transfer correctly? And it doesn't maintain the defaults or last values entered?

Thanks John and Hardmill. I had already read your post John, and some others. Everything always looks easy on the surface, but we know it doesn't always turn out that way. I don't want to get started and then, oops, there's a bug on the new Z level roughing or something that I have to work around to get code. Plus James and Steve both know my posts are heavily edited and I don't want to risk errors in my formulas or algorithms due to updating. Normally I don't worry about this, this time it's more of a time issue really. With the size of this project and the amount of time I will have to commit to it, I don't want to be fighting the software too! I still have to shop for Christmas you know!

Everyone else's input is appreciated still! Please add, as I will ponder this momentous decision for the next hour!

That did pretty much wrap it for me Steve. Thanks. I'll know who to come strangle if I don't get my shopping done in time!

I'll be back there for a day or two after Xmas. Maybe we can hook up! (sidebar, not to be a hater or anything, but have you looked at the AFC West lately? )

Ok, we can get the X5 download and upgrade our systems today.

I am starting a multi-part project, which I am late starting and can't afford problems that would cause more delays. The parts entail lots of 2d pocketing and 3-D work. No 4 or 5 axis. Lots of part geometry. I have a Dell Precision T3500, Xeon @ 2.4ghz with 4 Gig of RAM and an Nvidia Quadro FX 1800.

So my question is for the guys who have installed and are using X5 real world. Hopefully with some input from the guys that used the BETA. Do you feel that it is stable enough now? Do the posts have to be updated and is there a c-hook to do it that works clean? In other words, can I update and upgrade everything within about two hours to start running?

All advice is appreciated as I have to decide to do this today, or wait 2-3 weeks until this project is done. If you have a minute to respond, I would appreciate it Steve and James. Hopefully, this is the right forum for this question!

Thanks John. That's what I figured.

That's great that X5 will open it, but we have X4 and I have pushed for X5 before I start this project, but deadlines to start have past and I don't have X5 and can't upgrade in the middle. Our reseller claims X5 is not released yet or they don't have it available or some such nonsense, so I need to open it with X4. Model is the defining factor and I prefer the native file over a translation and for comparison.

I am assuming (insert comment here) that since SW2011 wasn't released until recently, that it won't be supported in X4, but am hoping that's not the answer. Just wondered if I had missed a patch or fix on the Mastercam site? Wouldn't be the first time!

I have MU3 installed and have looked on the Mastercam website for a patch for the Parasolid but can't seem to find it?

Does anyone know, is there a patch or upgrade to take in Solidworks 2011 files?

Sorry John. Not used to the new "system" yet!

I see the new verification on the MAstercam website for X5 is the full machine simulation. Does it run the actual G-Code or the Mcam file still?

Have to post for the answer because of work load and hope one of you can help easily. I searched, but can't find an answer that fits.

Using MpmasterX4 for all of our machines. Works great with all the new features and I have adapted it for each of our machines. Problem is an old Bridgeport we have. It's on it's last legs but we still use it daily until it dies.

So now I need to make the canned cycles correct for the B'port. Those unfamiliar with it, the drill cycles start from where the drill tip is and need a positive value in Z. i.e; if I need to drill a hole .5" deep into a part and start at .1" over the part. Z value needs to be Z.6

For peck drilling it needs this method, plus the next Z (I am thinking of replacing the R value and forcing the add of .1"?) is the first peck distance in positive value. i.e; if I want the first peck to be .1" into the material, this would be Z.2

Next Z is the peck values (I know, just replace the Q here with Z)

Line example G83 Z.6 Z.2 Z.1 F10.

So my question is, what is the easiest way to accomplish this? I hate to add .1" to the values in the post, in case someone programs from a different clearance level. I can switch the Z to positive easy enough by multiplying it by -1, but want to see if there is an easy way to accomplish this that I am overlooking. I don't want to use an old Boss post and upgrade because everything is formatted in this for our shop.

And of course won't be putting a positive depth in drilling because it won't simulate correctly! Can't believe somebody actually put that as an answer on one of the similar posts!

Suggestions?

Have to post for the answer because of work load and hope one of you can help easily. I searched, but can't find an answer that fits.

Using MpmasterX4 for all of our machines. Works great with all the new features and I have adapted it for each of our machines. Problem is an old Bridgeport we have. It's on it's last legs but we still use it daily until it dies.

So now I need to make the canned cycles correct for the B'port. Those unfamiliar with it, the drill cycles start from where the drill tip is and need a positive value in Z. i.e; if I need to drill a hole .5" deep into a part and start at .1" over the part. Z value needs to be Z.6

For peck drilling it needs this method, plus the next Z (I am thinking of replacing the R value and forcing the add of .1"?) is the first peck distance in positive value. i.e; if I want the first peck to be .1" into the material, this would be Z.2

Next Z is the peck values (I know, just replace the Q here with Z)

Line example G83 Z.6 Z.2 Z.1 F10.

So my question is, what is the easiest way to accomplish this? I hate to add .1" to the values in the post, in case someone programs from a different clearance level. I can switch the Z to positive easy enough by multiplying it by -1, but want to see if there is an easy way to accomplish this that I am overlooking. I don't want to use an old Boss post and upgrade because everything is formatted in this for our shop.

And of course won't be putting a positive depth in drilling because it won't simulate correctly! Can't believe somebody actually put that as an answer on one of the similar posts!

Suggestions?

I have a thermwood M67 5axis machine, has anyone used a router to cut aluminum I usually only cut foam and am not sure what feeds and speeds work well with the router, can anyone help me out?

Yes, it can be done on certain routers. Thermwood wouldn't be my first choice but I have done it years ago. You can get away with light cuts even in 5 axis but you typically don't have the torque that a mill has so the head will walk if cuts are to heavy. Very seldom can you use standard practice feeds and speeds that you would apply to a more rigid machine tool.

What Hardmill said!