I am looking to modify an operation in our process to apply constant velocity/SFM to the process. I am hoping that I can easily manipulate this without writing a macro and post.

The paths are done as wireframe contours, X and Y motion only. Cutter is a large dia. side mill, multiple insert cutter. Part is done as a solid and the stock is a separate solid, so the amount of cut can be easily seen by the system.

The stock is a known diameter that gets a counterweight style profile cut.

I would like to be able to do this thru the software without having to write a macro at the machine (Makino/Fanuc) and having to write a post to output the variables.

1. Is this feature available currently in the software and I just can't find it?

2. Is it already done as a C Hook Program?

Any ideas?

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Excellent! Learn Something New Everyday!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

If they are duplicates, then you can go to Edit, Delete, Delete Duplicates. If they are other than that, try to find an easy way to move them to another level/color, etc. and delete all there.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Without a doubt, the Mori is the tops if your looking for full live tooling C and Y. If you want to get more creative with complete finished parts, there is no substitute for the NT. I have been working with it for almost a year and am getting ready to do another turnkey AE job on 1 in Eugene, OR. However, McamX don't support it yet. Esprit is the partner that works (ugh!)

The Mazak is a good machine (although one of the two here just got bumped lightly and now the turret and tailstock is out, which makes me wonder how stout the machine really is) and right now I am programming them straight EIA, which is really standard Fanuc, without "some" of the new benefits of coding. The Mazatrol language is limited and you will only get to machine in certain ways, wether you like it or not. Thats why the co. where I am at now went to EIA, for more control over the cut.

Don't have any experience with the Daewoo so can't say. Miyano's and Ikegai's used to be great, but haven't worked with either one in quite awhile.

Always hated the OSP controls, but will submit that I haven't worked on one for more than 15 years. The machines themselves always seemed to be stout.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Now it makes sense what you are looking to do. No, you cannot "see" more than one program at a time on the HAAS control.

You could write a post to do then "IF", "THEN", "GOTO" commands stated above.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

2 Programmers

2 ME's, 1 programs

2 WFL Millturns

2 Mazak Quickturns

2 Mazak Verticals

1 Makino HMC

Short Run, high end Crankshaft Mfg. for Formula 1, Nascar, etc.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

If you just want your "subs" attached to the main file, then yes, Mastercam can do this as one file. More current controls can load this as one file but break out/recognize the different "subs". I'm not sure what you might mean about "inside the body of the main program"

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

That is a very true statement. It is absolutely a waste of time for all parties concerned for someone to be in a programming class with no practical machining experience. It should be the pre req's for any CAD/CAM class.

It sounds like you have a good method to follow, now that you've thrown out the outline and do it the right way.

Good Luck!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Are you wanting to do loops?

Those type of problems will happen when you run DOS-based programs in a window. V9 is a DOS based program running in a window.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Nah, I'm actually a clerk at a convenience store! Whats an axis? LOL!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

FYI:

It appears that the steady rest is a bug in X2. CAD/CAM Consultants can't get it defined either. The problem has been reported to CNC Associates.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

quote:

_____________________________________

Dont know where yet just out of Cali.

_____________________________________

Smartest move you will ever make!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Thats my next step. Thanks James!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2-SP1

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

5 Axis

Yes, I have tried it, both as a steady rest group and also under Miscellaneous, with the same result, always undefined after picking it?

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Mcam X2-MR2

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

Anyone have any ideas as to why I can't define a steady rest in MR2 in MillTurn? I can pick a 2-d geometry feature (chained complete) a solid and a block. Using original position as location. System seems to accept it ok but it is not on and still says undefined on the stock screen? Anyone have any ideas? Tailstock works fine and Chucks work fine.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!!

Mcam X2- MR2

Mill Level3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

When you go to the Esprit training, you have to forget everything you ever knew about programming because everything is completely @ssbackwards. I have been programming for 26 years now and have never seen such a cumbersome system to run. It is actually based around there old 2-D Math with some very slick pictures!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

McamX2-MR2

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

What are you doing for work now?

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

McamX2-MR2

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

I don't know about embraced, but I put it thru it's paces when I need to. As long as I can keep it from crashing, I'm ok! How bout answering my steadyrest problem in the general forum! LOL

Just contracting again for the last couple of years. I crawled out from under the rock a LLLLOOOONNGGGG time ago but still go back every now and then when I miss it! LOL

Did a bunch of work on Esprit (ugh, it's all I can say) on the new Mori 18 axis Lathes and the LPP'S. Now on some WFL's, Mazaks and Makino's right around the corner from you.

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

McamX2-MR2

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

quote:

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...This might be surprising but machinists are temperamental and very arrogant (myself included) when it comes to our work. Some of these things cannot be rushed and added stress only slows production and does not increase it.

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Who James, you? Tempermental AND Arrogant?

It really depends on the culture of the shop. Management/babysitters at a high work level/low effeciency shop that doesn't have the right/archaic/thats the way we always done it, mentality, equipment or software, is high stress and likes to have the machinists running around doing multiple things (can you say busy work) because they are not being run effeciently in the first place and are typically behind (i.e.; my mistakes/lack of management skills, becomes your problem), but a well organized and managed shop understands that a machinist needs the exposure to new processes and equipment in order to survive tomorrow and allows them to read trades, internet, etc. as long as the work gets done on schedule, 5S is adhered to and profits stay within reason.

First question though, are these REAL machinists or are they operators. BIG difference!!

Get your G Codes in order baby!! LOL

McamX2-MR2

Mill Level 3

Lathe Level 1

Solids

Funny how those little details require attention! Thanks for the quick response!

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

Why, when I post with multiple toolpath groups, does it make multiple files instead of one file? Do I have a switch setting wrong?

Just a simple man with a simple plan!

McamX2-MR2

I am having a problem getting a steady rest in my stock view. Machine definition is set, chucks work, tailstock works, but the steady rest won't work/define? After inserting all of the data, screen still shows undefined. Tried using a Solid drawing, Block and Extrude. Any ideas? Bug?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

McamX2-MR2