I have a machine with a 24-tool magazine where we have standard tools set up with preset lengths (using D & H registers of 25+). When I renumber the tools in my program, I input the starting tool number, increment by one and turn off the "length and diameter offset value to be added to tool". I would get the proper tool number with the saved offset number (from my tool library), so I would get T15 H30, for example. If it was a non-standard tool and I wanted D & H to match the tool, I would check the boxes to add 0 to the tool number (T16 H16). A few months ago, I started getting D=0 & H=0 on all tools that I renumber, whether the boxes are checked or not. I didn't do anything to change the post or the control definition. Any thoughts?

Works now. I agree, it was annoying in X9. I use shortcut keys a lot.

That works fine for one copy, but if you're doing copies to multiple locations, it's a pain. That is not working for me.

Is there any way to drag and drop onto existing geometry (i.e. radius centerline, endpoint, etc.) instead of just visual placement?

It doesn't seem to make a difference if the box is checked or not. I opened X4 and it was checked but not active. X5 is not checked and is active.

A couple of years ago, the EA Manager would be turned on whenever I opened MC and it stayed on after I imported a file (IGES). At some point (not sure if it was when I did an upgrade), this default status quit working. I could still turn it on, but it was an extra step to turn it on after I imported my file, which I like to do so it applies the attributes when I rotate the part into position. The other day it started working again. I haven't done any upgrades. The only thing I changed about that time was the default operations file in the config (which it doesn't recognize anyway). Other than that, nothing has changed. Any thoughts? I'm running X5.

I keep a temp file in my tool library just for this purpose. Copy the tools to the temp file from the old MC file, then copy the tools from the temp file to the new MC file. Works great for just copying one or two tools from the original instead of the entire tool file.

Is there any rhyme or reason to the type of tool MC selects for the filter when picking a tool from the library? Sometimes it picks flat end mills, sometimes balls, sometimes dovetails. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to it - not the type of toolpath, not the last type of tool used, etc.

Rotate WCS to create a new WCS and use that for your operation. I have not looked at the file, so maybe there's more involved here?

I have run into this as well and was just thinking of doing a search to see if it had been addressed. Thanks, John, it has seemed random to me before but I will make a mental note to see if the arrow is an issue the next time it happens.

+1 This works well also for if you are looking at different angles with different zooms. No need to keep zooming out. rotating the view around and zooming in again. I do wish you could name views - just the view, not a coordinate system. I always felt MC was confusing in this regard and missing a basic function.

All this does (unless I'm missing something) is reverse all the normals. If you have hundreds of surfaces and half of them point the wrong way, you still end up with half pointing the wrong way. As far as buying Moldplus goes, why should I have to buy an add-on to make a MC feature functional? If MC adds a feature, I should be able to use it as is without buying something else to complete the job it was intended for. Or do most people get files with the normals all pointing in one direction? In which case, I'm in the minority.

I was glad to see that X5 has a surface analysis function that analyzes draft angles and undercuts. Then I found out that it's dependant on the surfaces normals. If your surface normals aren't consistent, this function is useless. I can check angles quicker individually. I had requested a function a couple of years ago that would set all the normals to one side, but nothing ever happened there. Until they get something like that, the angle analysis is worthless. Curvature seems to work OK, though.

I have installed X5 MU1 and am having problems with default files. I have changed the NC file location and the operation library and operation defaults files in the configuration. MC still has the original (MC default) operation & defaults files in the files setting page. It also writes the NC files to the MC default location. Is this a bug or is there something else I have to do?

Thanks for the input, guys.

For those running through-the-spindle coolant, how fine of a filter do you use? We have a 20 micron filter on our Haas, but we have been having problems with the coolant holes in the drills getting plugged. The drill manufacturer is recommending a 5 micron filter. Haas does not offer anything other than the 20 micron. We are drilling .1875 drills in aluminum, and would like to drill .125 also if we can get this problem worked out. Any thoughts?

I use this a lot, but changing the order of listed folders is pretty lame.

I save my reports as an "rtf" file and then edit in MS Word. Other formats are available as well.

I have both Op manager and level manager on the 2nd screen, and they always come up in the same location. Have you tried closing MC when they are in the position you want, then reopening MC? I'm not sure what you mean when you say you can't get it to stick on. Mine is on almost all the time.

The start of an open chain will always be at the break, no matter what element you pick for the start. Zoom up on that area - many times I have found a gap of just a few tenths that kept the chain from closing.

What is it that you are having a problem with? I use surface finish contour with lollipop cutters all the time without a problem.

Ron, I set my limits on the steep/shallow area, but I want to mill flats that are in between the minimum and maximum. I don't see anywhere to set those additional levels.

Is there any way to specify intermediate depths on high speed core roughing? You can do it on the older style Surface Rough Pocket, but I can't find it on the HS toolpath, only the minimum and maximum depths.

Is tip control set to tip or center?

quote: Forget the keyboard shortcuts I disagree, although it depends on the individual. I never used V9, but I use keyboard shortcuts all the time for commonly used functions. I feel it saves a lot of time over using the mouse. If that's what you prefer, it's worth the time to set it up.