Morning everybody. Has anybody ever used these tap extensions? Need to tap some holes and there's a boss in the way and can't find an extended STI tap so any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

My code ignores tool numbers themselves per say. It's set up so every time the next tool number is different then the one just used it changes the N number to the next 100 based number. The program I used to verify my code does exactly that. Tool number 2 is recalled after tool number 3 and i changed the N number to the next 100 based number used on tool 3.

The KME tombstones use the DPRINT command and you can control each rotary separately. Pretty sweet setup really.

The control box has 2 (up and down), but I was thinking the machine only has one. Not 100% sure on that though. I have a sample program from the previous owner for the collet indexer that came with machine and it only outputs the single M code with no other information.

Maybe, but from what I've seen HAAS just sends out an M21 (maybe M11?) to the control box and the controller rotates the indexer to the next angle specified by the program in the controller. Maybe I has this wrong, I have no experience with HAAS and the used one we just bought hasn't been powered up yet for me to start digging around in it. Time will tell.

We're looking at getting a KME tombstone for another horizontal mill as well and that is how their system works. I still prefer direct control, but it's better then the HAAS setup from what I can see anyway.

Thanks for all of the information guys. I definitely feel better about using Tsudakoma now. I had never heard of them before the quote we got for our vertical mill and then when CNC quoted using them as well I wanted to get some real info that I can trust.

Thanks for the info @Colin Gilchrist. We were quoted $60,000 for the rotary, installation and integration to one of our Akari Seiki horizontal mills from CNC Systems. I would assume this is a true integration without the need for external controller. The sales guy put it as a 4+1 in an email, but he explained it to my boss verbally that we would be able to program any of 3 of the 5 axis's simultaneously which I assume to mean I can control the X,Y and the C together as an example. We were quoted by another company previously to replace the 4th axis on one of our vertical mills with a Tsudakoma unit because they've had so many problems with the factory units with the way they are built. Since this was the 2nd time we'd been quoted a Tsudakoma unit I wanted to get some feedback on them. Thanks for the info guys.

Probably could, would have to add the pcalc_n and such to my post. My way just happened to be what I came up with 1st. I'm not super fluent in posts so sometimes I end up going the long way around the bush. Thanks.

Just wondering if anyone here has any experience with putting/using a Tsudakoma rotary on a horizontal mill for a 5th axis and your opinion on it? I'd take any experiences with Tsudakoma rotaries in general as well, regardless of the machine it's on as well. Thanks.

Been at existing shop since fresh out of trade school for 23yrs and been programming for them on and off for 10-12 of those years and typically I only use control. For roughing it depends on the cutter. If it's an inserted tool I typically use computer comp as the tool diameter doesn't change, if we're using endmills whether it be a knuckle cutter or standard e.m. I use control so operators can adjust size on the fly. Every mill I've ever run has only ever needed .0001/.0002 more then the radius of the tool (all of our machines are set up for CDC not CRC) to comp. tool so the .001/.002 moves some guys say is the reason for using wear or computer is a moot point. Unless I'm in a real tight space I'll just type in 55% in MC comp amount and go. As an operator it was always nice to be able to look at a program and know exactly what feature is being cut without having to know the size of the tool the program was done with, which is probably the main reason we still do it this way. JParis and I have had a couple discussions over this when he worked at a reseller and he would try to convince me of changing. When I 1st started working here (in '95) and took over programming the 1st time ( '97-;98) roughing and finishing tool paths were the same, the operator just added .01 or so to diameter of tool in control to leave material on for finisher. When Mastercam added backplot (on my 2nd or 3rd time in programming seat which I think was when X came out) and each face changed color when it was cut by a tool I realized the number of times I would miss machining a feature because I forgot would be drastically reduced I started using the leave stock on feature and the operator could just insert the actual tool diameter which saved a few scrap parts as well if they forgot to add to diameter offset. I like the thought of using the G10 code to automatically fill in tool table, but it would reset the diameter on every part and the fact that the same tool numbers aren't always used would pose a problem and we try to keep the operators from editing a program because we usually hire just that operators. I have never run in to a situation where wear was needed so I see no reason to change, but I would like to see a few examples where it had to be used would be a learning moment for me. Later.

The reason for the code below is hard to explain over the web, but what it does is if the next tool number is the same as the previous it adds on to the N#, but if the next tool is different then the one just used it changes the N# to the next highest 100 based number. IE, N100(1st Tool) Tool does it's thing Tool goes home If Tool was sent home because you selected "Force Tool Change" or you used "Tool Inspection Point" the next Line would be N101(1st Tool) Tool does the next thing If the next tool number is different (Like calling up a drill after facing a part), instead of N101 you would get N200(2nd Tool) Tool does its thing I think I read somewhere that IHS has something similar in their standard Fanuc post, and maybe everybody uses IHS posts, but this should work in any of the supplied Mastercam posts. I have it working in the generic Fanuc 2X post, but don't see why it wouldn't work in any other post. My 1st line number is always 100 hence adding 100 at a different tool. Paste/type code below in red in ptoolcomment section of post (I have it just above the "if tool_op$ = 64" line in my post ptoolcomment #Comment for tool if tool_info = 1 | tool_info = 3, [ tnote = abs(t$) toffnote = tloffno$ strtool$ = ucase(strtool$) stinsert2 = ucase(stinsert2) !spaces$ spaces$ = zero #"(", *tnote, *toffnote, ")", e$ if posttype$ = two, #Lathe toolpath operation if sav_pretool = t$, #If previous tool is same as current tool continue to "if tool_op ...." below else, n$ = sav_seqno + 100, e$ #Line number equals saved sequence number (which should always be 100 based) + 100 sav_seqno = n$ #Save new 100 base sequence number if tool_op$ = 64, *n$, "(", *strtool$, ")", e$ #Drill operation else, *n$, "(", *strtool$, ")", e$ #spaces$ = prv_spaces$ ] Now type/paste line in red in pheader$ section of post pheader$ #Start of file rd_tlpathgrp$ if miscopsflg = 0, [ "%", e$ sav_spc = spaces$ spaces$ = 0 *progno$,"(", sprogname$, sextnc$, ")", e$ "(", "OP#", ")", e$ "(", "DOCUMENT REV. ", month$, "/", day$, "/", year$, ")", e$ #Date and time output Ex. 12/02/05 spaces$ = sav_spc miscopsflg = 1 ] sav_seqno = n$ #Save 1st sequence number which should be 100 Last is to add the 2 line below in General User Variable section of post sav_seqno : 1 #Current 100 based sequence number saved sav_pretool : 1 #Save current tool Maybe someone will find this useful and this post wouldn't have been a waste of my time, but if nobody found it useful oh well. Just figured I'd help someone.

Send in an inserted drill that's .03-.06 u/s (like an Iscar DR style drill to get you a somewhat flat bottom), then yard that material out with a good 1/2" or maybe a 5/8" e.m. Piece of cake.

Thanks WM. I've cut almost pure copper before and I usually run slow sfm and high chiploads to prevent big burrs. I though the nickel would make it a little harder to machine, but from what I can find that's not necessarily the case. We'll find out soon enough. Thanks.

Anybody here done any machining on C96400 copper nickel alloy? Machinability looks to be around a 20. Sandviks website puts it in the aluminum alloy (N) group at about 1300sfm. Seems awful high for something with a machinability index of 20.

No problem. We do a lot of castings and because sometimes the fixture isn't real rigid I'll do multiple radial cuts instead of axial DOC's to whittle it down. If you want a pass at say +.04, 1 at +.005 then 3rd at 0, you would put a 2 in the number cell and .04 in spacing cell under roughing and leave the 1 and .005 under finish.

Guru, I made a toolpath with above settings and this is what I get. Is this what you're looking for? Tool mills the OD +.005 per side on1st pass then the next pass cuts OD to size at the override feedrate of 30IPM. The G3's are just the arc on/off I use. N1T2M6(3/4" CORRO CUTTER) (RGH THD OD AT B270.) M01 G0G90G54B270. G0G90G54X-3.4025Y-1.6825S230M3 G43H2Z10./M8 Z2.95 G1Z2.9F20. G41D2X-2.99F2.7 G3X-3.515Y-1.1575I-.525J0. G2I0.J1.1575 G3X-4.04Y-1.6825I0.J-.525 G1G40X-3.6275 X-3.4025Y-1.6775F30. G41D2X-2.99 G3X-3.515Y-1.1525I-.525J0. G2I0.J1.1525 G3X-4.04Y-1.6775I0.J-.525 G1G40X-3.6275 G0Z10. M9 G0G91G30Z0M5 G0G30X0Y0 M01 G100 M30

I thought he was trying to get 1 pass leaving .005 per side, then the next pass to cut to size at override feedrates. Both suggestions I made will do just that, just don't need the .005 in the spacing on the roughing pass. Did I understand you correctly Guru?

Guru, above works, but you don't need a value in spacing cell on rough pass. Only need to put a 1 in the number cell under roughing.

Guru, use 1 rough pass at .005, 1 finish pass at .005 which will have the override feedrates. 1st pass will be +.005 per side, second pass will be to size.

Part only has 3 threads roughly so I was thinking about a single tooth cutter with multiple flutes. Just not sure if having the tooth ground a little narrow and stepping up/down is a good idea. The major dia. is +/-.005 (internal thread), so if the tool isn't ground correctly I may have a hard time getting the thread to gage correctly. Then again the PD and major dia. have same tolerance so maybe that's a mute point. Tool pressure is biggest concern and a narrower tooth should help with that. I've used a narrower insert on a lathe before to reduce chatter, but never tried it on a mill. Should be possible shouldn't it?

Got a titanium part with a modified ACME thread and the only way to machine the thread is to thread mill it. The problem is the tool needs to stick out 5-1/4" from the holder. I've been contemplating having the tool made a little thin to reduce cutting pressure. Would just have to step down/up to get it to correct width. Anybody tried doing this and is it a good idea? Or am I pipe dreaming again. The cutter dia. is 1-1/8" with a 3/4" shank. Solid carbide. PD tol. is +/-.0045, but the Z location (for lack of better term) has a +/-.0015 tol. The part is the front block of an M240 machine gun, and the thread is for the barrel. It uses a pin as an anti-rotation stop hence the tight axial location of the thread. Thanks.

Yeah they are. They're cheaping out on us. LOL

I think I actually still have an "X" mouse pad hanging around here somewhere as well as the one to the right. Way cool. I think I've used 12 versions of MC since 5.5. We skipped v8 and I was running machines from '05 to '08 and been in the hot seat ever since.

We had 2 different machines with Dynapath controls when I started here part-time in Jan. of '95 and I remember typing those EOB's if I had to edit the program on a pc (started here as a machinist before I graduated from trade school). A Delta 10 which was installed on a Compumill 2500 and a Delta 20 which was installed on a Compumill 5000 which had no toolchanger, had to load every tool by hand. Was really interesting when you had a job with 20 something tools I'll tell ya! Saw a couple guys try to drive a reamer in a hole before there was a hole. LMFAO! These were sold by Compumachine and IIRC Mark worked there when he was creating MC. We bought our 1st couple of versions of MC (v5.5 and 7) and received support directly from Cumpumachine. Then we started dealing with S4A (JParis) which eventually became part of Cimquest several years ago.