The mill toolchange is handled in two different post blocks, psof$ for the first operation and ptlchg$ for every op afterward.

When trying to get surface toolpaths to work I always advise users to start with a big step over. This will reduce the amount of time Mastercam requires to generate toolpaths while you are tyring to get the parameters worked in. Once you have the parameters setup correctly refine your finish step down. I selected just the surfaces I wanted to machine as drive surfaces and the surrounding as check surfaces instead of using containment boundaries. This also helps in toolpath generation time, few surfaces to machine one means less time generating. See the attached program. INSERT.JOHN.MCX-7

This is usually the issue always use wireframe for tabs.

Generally yes. It will give you a good representation about the amount of faceting based on the filtering values and the scallop size based on your step over.

You may also want to give your reseller a call. They could offer you some training options that would get you up to speed pretty quick. Mastercam Lathe is actually easier than the Mill to program, it's just hard for a Mill Guy to think like a Lathe Guy.

When programming for Lathe you want to view the part from the TOP WCS and GView. Mastercam is setup to automatically use the X axis as the lathes Z axis and the Y axis will become the lathes X axis. This way you look at the part in Masteram just like you do at the machine. Mastercam Lathe also has a +D+Z construction plane that is used for drawing lathe parts. It will allow you to use Diameter values when defining dimensions. You can turn this Plane on by clicking "Planes" on your status bar, then Lathe Diameter -> +D+Z.

I agree with Mick sounds odd to have that causing issues. Make sure that your are leading out with a lead in line of half the tool diameter. If you still need to turn off cutter comp after the G1 line the code above from Crazymillman is pretty good except your test should be on "cc_pos$" not "sscomp". plinout #Output to NC of linear movement - feed if cc_pos$ > 0, [ pcan1, pbld, n$, sgplane, `sgcode, sgabsinc, pccdia, pxout, pyout, pzout, strcantext, pscool, e$ #Modify following line to customize output for high-speed toolpath #tool inspection/change points if rpd_typ$ = 7, pbld, n$, "M00", "(TOOL INSPECTION POINT - POST CUSTOMIZATION REQUIRED)", e$ ] else, [ pcan1, pbld, n$, sgplane, pccdia , sgabsinc, pxout, pyout, pzout, strcantext, pscool, e$ #Modify following line to customize output for high-speed toolpath #tool inspection/change points if rpd_typ$ = 7, pbld, n$, "M00", "(TOOL INSPECTION POINT - POST CUSTOMIZATION REQUIRED)", e$ ]

Probably would move it in the plinout post block. What about G41/42 should that still be on a G1 line?

I would try a Parallel cuts multiaxis toolpath. That should get you what you want.

Stock for the Mastercam Simulator can be defined in the Stock Setup dialog for in the Machine Group or it can be set specifically in the Simulator settings, the button right next to the Verify icon. Best practice is to always define stock in the Stock Setup initially. In general I will always use the Top plane for my stock unless I have some sort of special circumstances. Does changing the plane the stock is in to TOP move it to the proper position?

This is controlled in two places. First the machine definition rotary axis has an angle resolution that defines the actual increment that the indexer can position to. Second, if you are using a multiaxis toolpath each will have its own settings of how to post the angular rotation movements. Please give some more info about your setup if you need something more specific.

Open your post and look for plinout. Paste the code from this post block. Default should look like this: plinout #Output to NC, linear movement - feed pcan1, pbld, n$, psgplane, sgfeed, pexct, psgcode, psccomp, pwcs, pxout, pyout, pzout, pcout, pfr, pscool, strcantext, e$ if rpd_typ$ = 7, ptool_insp #Tool inspection point pxout may be pfxout this forces the X coordinate to be output on everyline.

"Feed Plane" is controlled by the specific Drill cycle, G81, G82 G83... However that cycle is setup to run on your control determines how your tool will feed into the cut.

Can you share the IGS file? FYI, Mastercam has a translator available to directly import your Pro/E. Contact your reseller for more information. Using this may improve your overall workflow.

The 25001 line was the issue here. If this line is set to something other than a "LMD-7" file then Mastercam will not see any X7 lathe machine definitions. I would have recommended you manually modify it "DEFAULT.LMD-7" and then go back into the Configuration Dialog and select your machine definition. Unfortunatly it sounds like your config file is now hosed and is keeping Mastercam from starting. In this case just delete mcamx.config and restart Mastercam. A default config file will be created and then you can setup your software from scratch. As a side note, it looks like you have your Machine Defs on a network drive. Because of the nature of the machine definitions and how they call the control and post files it is not recommended to just copy the files to the network drive. The definition files must be remapped in order to be able to find each other appropriately. Now it can work without remapping and frequently does, however users will experience odd behavior that makes them think the software has a bug when in reality it is the machine files that are incorrectly setup. My recommendation is to move the entire "shared mcamx" directory to the network location then set the Shared Files location in the System Configuration to this network location on each client computer. Since X7 all of the settings use variable locations that make this setup work seamlessly.

+1 to Control Def. Definitely the preferred and more flexible method.

If you hold the "CTRL" button down on your keyboard you can zoom in and out by rolling the wheel on your mouse in Code Expert. This is a Windows standard so you can use the same techniques in other programs, e.g. your web browser.

Mickey did you use the Migration Utility to update your X6 settings to X7? I would be interested to see the contents of your mcamx.config. The file is located in "my mcamx7\CONFIG\" and can be opened in a text editor. Copy the section under [DEFAULT MACHINES] and paste here. "

Solids > Layout Makes 3 view print of a solid model along with extra options. As another option you could copy the solid then do an extrude cut to see the desired cross section.

That's a neat tool. I would not recommend just changing the file extension of your files. Instead try using the Update Folder utility to update all your Mastercam files from one version to the next.

Have you tried switch it from OpenGL to GDI. This is usually my first fix for graphics issues. Look in Settings > Configuration > Screen

Make sure you define your toolbar state as the default. I think this settings leads to most of the confusion for the Mastercam toolbar states. In the Toolbar States dialog, select your toolbar state the check the Default box under the list. You should get a small asterisk after your toolbar state. Now every time Mastercam opens it will use this default toolbar state rather than trying to reload the previously active one.

I will presume from your question that you are a new Mastercam user. All of the code generation is handled by the Mastercam post processor. This file contains specific coding that controls how the Mastercam toolpath data is posted to the NC file. You are right that Mastercam comes with several post processors for each machine type (Mill, Lathe, Router and Wire). If you need modifications to the default post files or a post for your specific machine you should contact your local reseller first. If you have a specific question about how to change a specific portion of your NC code output please post more details about the issue you are having.

Moving an X6 profile would be problematic, possible but difficult. The issue is that Mastercam has hard coded certain settings in the configuration file. I believe that X7 has corrected this issue and all the settings now use a variable path. I would install X7 and run it at least once, this will create all of the default folders and settings for that user. Then copy the following files to the new users "my mcamx\config\" folder. mcamx.config (settings) mastercam.mtb (toolbars) mastercam.kmp (keymapping) Assuming that your user has not created his own default files this should setup his new system identical to the way the old one was.

I still use the same practice in X7 as in X6. Define stock in Properties -> Stock Setup. This defined stock will be used by default in Simulator. You can use different stock in Simulator by using it's stock setup if you so desire. Best case scenario would be using a stock model to verify against.