On the first page of your toolpath parameters, there is an option box called Misc values. If it is grayed out, click on the check box next to it and then you can get into it and see what is available for the post that is currently active. The misc. integers are often used as switches (turn on and off otpions) and are specific for the post processor that you are using. On the Mpfadal post, misc integer 1 is used to change between using G92, if set to 0 or 1, or E values if set to 2. Using the Mpfadal post you can get a lot more than 4 fixture offsets.

You could enter the part's edge values into the origin fields under the T/C plane options and it will shift the numbers in the final code by whatever you enter. I find it much easier use fixture offsets: G52L# (where # is from 1 to 99). Be wary of the G53 command, I understand it does the same thing as G52 except it goes there NOW rather than wating for the next command.

I placed it on the dealer ftp in the router posts dierectory. Don't you guys ever sleep? Did I say that? Sleep is for wimps!!!

Hey Marc, You've got mail.

Beware!!! There are parameters on some controls that are incapable of being sent to the RS232 port. On most of the pre-15 Fanuc controls the PC parameters, timer settings and counter settings are not punched out. The only way is to write them down. Re-inputting parameters is whole other can of worms.

Gregg, You might check out Streaming teacher at www.streamingteacher.com

I have a Toshiba Satellite that I got from Costco for around $1,200.00. I have not had any problems, did not have to add ram (it has 512 megs). It will not go above 1024X768 screen resolution on the built in LCD screen, but it will go higher on an external monitor. You can also configure it run the internal and external monitors at the same time as an extended desktop. Wireless keyboard and mouse are highly recomended, or at least a USB numeric keypad or calculator.

ktd, It sounds like you have a problem inside of the spindle controller, if it works with no problem at speeds below 2000. You might be able to change the deceleration parameters in the spindle controller to allow you to continue running (for a while), but this is usually just the beginning of the problem.

Early Mazak VTC's came with a Yasnac control

You can also modify the mpfan post. search for the fmt statements and change the A to a B for CABS and CINC

I had a similar problem with a wireless Microsoft keyboard. The function keys don't come up enabled as a default. You have to press the FLock key before they will function properly.

It was the firewall, a setting got changed. Thanks Jay

I found and downloaded Filezilla and cannot connect with it either. Here is the log: Status: Connecting to www.ppcadcam.com ... Status: Connected with www.ppcadcam.com. Waiting for welcome message... Response: 220 precision1 Microsoft FTP Service (Version 5.0). Command: USER mastercam Response: 331 Password required for mastercam. Command: PASS ***** Response: 230-Welcome to Precision Programming FTP along with Response: 230-Mastercam Forums. Response: 230- Response: 230-If you should need any help please contact the Response: 230-Webmaster. Response: [email protected] Response: 230 User mastercam logged in. Command: FEAT Response: 500 'FEAT': command not understood Command: SYST Response: 215 Windows_NT version 5.0 Status: Connected Status: Retrieving directory listing... Command: CWD /mastercam_forum/ Response: 250 CWD command successful. Command: PWD Response: 257 "/mastercam_forum" is current directory. Command: PORT 192,168,0,100,10,77 Response: 200 PORT command successful. Command: TYPE A Response: 200 Type set to A. Command: LIST Response: 150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for /bin/ls. Response: 425 Can't open data connection. Error: Could not retrieve directory listing Command: REST 0 Response: 350 Restarting at 0. Command: PWD Response: 257 "/mastercam_forum" is current directory. Command: TYPE I Response: 200 Type set to I. Command: TYPE A Response: 200 Type set to A. Command: PWD Response: 257 "/mastercam_forum" is current directory. Command: REST 0 Response: 350 Restarting at 0.

Here is one of many ways of creating drill toolpaths for this part: Take a look at accurate4th with toolpaths on the ftp site. I created lines from the center lines of your holes. (cplane 3d) Toolpaths, Multiaxis, Drill5ax (many people pass this by because they think that they have to have a 5 axis machine...wrong) Select 4 axis and specify the X axis (for the way your part is drawn) Select Points/Lines and then manually select the endpoints of the lines that will be the bottom of the holes. (if you select the outside point, it will try to drill from the inside out) Set your parameters. Note that the depths are all done incrementally. Hint: I try to set up my part so that one hole is straight up, that way I can just select the upper and lower endpoints rather than calculate or guess at depths.

I have used hot glue to hold parts down. I machine a fixture plate with several small raised pads (about .005-.01 tall and no more than .1 in diameter), warm the fixture plate slightly so the glue does not set too quickly. I have a bucket of cold water to finish setting the glue and a hot plate with a pan of water for warming the glue up after the machining is done. Sometimes it is necessary to cut some grooves in the fixture so the glue will have somewhere to go so the part does not “float”. This procedure also works well for castings that are flimsy

Jeff, The reason that you are not getting arc output is because The contour must lie in one of the three planes. (XY, XZ, YZ) Your flowline toolpath is moving in all three axis at the same time. A Z axis contour toolpath will probably give the the best arc conversion, but wont "flow" around your feature as well.

Another solution, although not a Chook one: Take a file that has a toolpath with the tool that you want to show up in your automated session and delete the toolpath operations and then delete the geomtry. Save the file with some name eg T.MC9 Change the target line in the Mastercam shortcut properties to: C:Mcam91mill9.exe t.mc9 Mastercam will load normally with no geometry or toolpaths, but when you create geometry, and toolpaths, the tool will be there. Not quite what you were aksing for, but it will work with no extra mouse clicks.

For most controls, excess error means that the actual position of the axis is lagging behind where the control thinks it should be. If you run the 4th axis slower does it still give you an error? When given a 4th axis command does the motion seem soft rather than crisp? Adjusting the Servo gain or Signal gain will sometimes correct this. Be sure that you know what you are doing or you could damage a motor or drive!

I set up a Boss9 with Easytalk from CNC Engineering a number of years ago and got it to drip feed ok. I would think that other companies have that capability as well, but the Boss9 is not popular, therefore support may be hard to come by. The control had some issues with small arcs. Occasionally it would plow through the part when trying to cut small arcs that started at 0 degrees (3:00)

Hi Paul, I have seen two camsoft retrofits done. Neither is working. One was a smaller knee mill type machine, the other a very large 5-axis. The knee mill machine was sent to the scrap yard. Not even the people of Camsoft could get it running. The 5-axis now has a GE/Fanuc 15i control on it.

Some of the new fast computers have an issue with RS232 communications. I have seen several machines that give overrun errors with a new computer. (the cable and settings remaining the same) You can sometimes solve the problem by adding a delay before each line of 50 to 200 in the communications parameters in the computer. This situation just happened to me again two days ago. Mits and Mazak (Mazak uses Mits' controls) typically have had the data and stop bit settings opposite of Fanuc

Phil, Anilam used to state in their installation manuals that the warranty would not be valid unless the control was plugged into a receptacle that is on an isolated circuit. A good surge protector should solve your problem (the key word being good).

Greetings All. I am the Mastercam dealer for New Mexico and have been involved with Mastercam since version 3.2. It just gets better and better. Bill Craven Mastercamming the possibilities