My bad about not putting the machine defs on there. I didn't think I needed them. Here's why: All I was doing was simply substituting the post for the other. Yes, I know that this changes settings in my control def, but I knew pretty much exactly how the control def needed to be. That's why I think it's a post thing. I compared line to line as well and they are all pretty much the same. If one looks at the Ball endmill toolpaths, they'll see the same thing for awhile, and then one set of code keeps going with straight XY moves, while the other does nothing. What I mean is, if you compare files side by side, you will see a difference at the ball endmill. One set of code will stop, and the other will make XY moves. In any case, the Z2G is on the FTP site. Thanks for all the help so far.

Not that we're afraid to try threadmilling, as we do it when we need it, it's just not cost effective at times. No one has helped yet. If there are filter settings in the post, perhaps I should check those. I'm posting the exact same program with 2 different posts and getting drastically different results. I tried doing a control def compare, and changed some things, but that did not solve my problem. I have a moderate amount of post editing/debugging skills, but I couldn't seem to find the difference between the two.

No rudeness taken. Our shop is different than most. We are a support unit for the college of sciences at WSU. Most of the time we are just doing 1 off stuff. In this case tapping is preferred as we can do a simple drill cycle and not have to fuss with the threadmill toolpath. Also, we do some damn small holes (0-80, 00-90, 1-72, and so on.) Although I'm sure we could find a threadmill that would do these, the cost of the threadmill vs. the risk of breaking is just too high. Now, when we have an odd thread (1.035-40) we have no choice but to threadmill. The peck tapping does take longer, and sometimes we don't even use it, but it is nice to have.

I need to make myself clearer. The "stevehaas" post is the one that is making the correct code. THe "haaswpt" post is the post we're currently using and would like to continue using if we could get things right.

Evidently it works now. The files are on John's ftp site (thanks John). Let me know what you think.

I downloaded an FTP client and tried the new link, but when I try to transfer the file, it tells me that the password is not right. In any case, if someone would like to help, let me know and I'll email the files to them. Is there anything I should be looking for in the posts? I thought that maybe it had something to do with arc output, but in comparing the two files, I found they were pretty much the same. Now as I think about it, it's probably not arc output. It's something that thinks it needs to sit in one spot and make small XY moves.

I saw the note. I cannot access that site either. Using IE7 and Firefox.

That did not work. The new post (badness) is outputting a bunch of small XY moves. I'm pretty sure that is what is gouging the part.

I'd be more than happy to upload my program, but I cannot access the FTP site.

Hi All, I need some help with our post. I'm running a program that we had made several years ago with a different post. I guess things went OK. We have a new post now to accomodate peck tapping, and things are disasterous. The new post is not outputting the correct arc moves with I,J and K. And the ball endmill i'm using is gouging the part. I tried everything and finally resorted to using the old post, and it worked great. It's wierd. The verify never showed that anything was wrong. But sure enough, there would be little gouges in the part. I posted the program with both posts, and there is quite alot of difference in the outputs. I tried going through the post with my moderate post editing skills, but I couldn't find the difference. I want to keep the post that allows us to peck tap, but I also want to be able to do a flowline toolpath without the machine alarming out saying that the IJK numbers aren't right. Any suggestions?

Well, I cannot duplicate the problem, so I must just be having some cranial sewage backup and doing something else wrong. Thanks for the help

I'm pretty sure I was starting a new machine group when this happened. I don't think I've ever started a new toolpath group. I'll play around with it and get back to you.

Hi all, I've had this problem quite a few times. When I make a new Machine group in the Operations manager, and start creating new toolpaths, sometimes I find (when I get to the machine) that the tools have started not with T1. If I had 5 tools in the previous group, it would start with T6 in the new group. The "Assign tool numbers sequentially" is checked. It's really not that big of a deal, just a hassle to change the T,H,and D. Also, it doesn't happen always. I'm running X2 MR1 SP1.

I got it. Just as I was about to upload it, I decided to try deleting duplicates. (This is another guys program). There were many duplicates. This still did not fix the problem. But I deleted the geometry anyway, and there was still an entity under it. I'm not sure how it's not classified as a duplicate as it's the exact same thing, but oh well. Deleting that fixed the problem. Thanks for your suggestions.

Hi All, I'm having a problem creating a 2D pocket toolpath. Mastercam doesn't create the toolpath!!!. I'm trying to machine a .700 diameter pocket with a 1/4" endmill, so I know it's not a case of tool size. I cannot figure this out. I've tried switching every parameter on the pages, tried restarting, re booting the computer, etc. It will contour, but not pocket. Any ideas?

Gcode, You nailed it. Restarted and it would copy. This makes sense now because when I import the Solidworks files, I have to do ALOT of translating to get them the way I want. Is there any way to increase the memory buffer size? Thanks guys.

Hi, I've had this problem in the past when I've imported Solidworks files into Mastercam X. When I try to copy geometry to different levels, it won't copy. It will move, but not copy. I can't figure out what the problem is. In my current program, I have both 2D geometry and surfaces that I want to copy, and only the surfaces will move. I've been using Mastercam for a few years, and I can't figure this one out. I'm running X2 Mr1 Sp1. Thanks.

I've done that too.

I do have Simulate Rotary Checked. I've made planes and such before, I just thought that I could drill some holes using the rotary option. It's wierd that the posted code is OK, with a retract to clearance plane before it indexes, but why won't Mastercam show that?

Hi All, I'm using X2 to do a simple 4th axis part. A threaded hole 90 deg off center, and one 180 deg from that. My problem is that Mastercam doesn't output the tool path correctly. The posted program looks OK, but Mastercam shows the tool rapiding through the part, not indexing. I just have the rotary box checked in the parameters, with rotary axis positioning around X axis. I know this has worked for me before, but I can't remember now. It's like Mastercam doesn't know I'm programming a 4th. Any help would be great. Thanks.

I was curious how to operate the calculator. I've been through all the C-hooks, and cannot find it. Any help?

Hi all, Just wondering if someone could give some help. Using X2 lathe to do a ID boring, threading, etc. What is the difference between "use stock for outer boundary" and "Extend contour to stock only". The help file wasn't helpful about this. Thanks.

Thanks all. Great ideas. I'll give them a try.

Hi all, I have 2 questions. First, we have some common tools set up in the machine, and when I program, I would like Mastercam to recognize that tools number and not assign it sequentially. After I pick this tool (which in this case is a spot drill), I would like to start assigning them sequentially. Is there a way to do this without having to do a bunch of mouse clicks? As it is, I just leave the "assign tool number sequentially" button checked, and then edit it by hand. Secondly, is there a way to permanently turn off the tool filter when I go to pick a tool? I find it frustrating when I have to turn it off for every operation that I do. thanks

Thanks Calnet, I just didn't scroll down far enough in the bar selection tab. After picking my insert and geometry, the bar was in the catalog. Thanks again.