Not real concerned with 3D surfaces here; we don't do the sexy stuff. We do have Lathe and Mill, just bought V9 upgrade(although the software isn't here yet) and we're looking forward to checking out the handoff/pickoff and other barfeed and part transfer stuff in the update. You guys that are digging Mazatrol; who did the training? Was it Mazak or third party? Inquiring minds want to know. C

Thanks Steve, still wondering about our initial MC purchase including that post; any idea if I have a hope of getting that? Mazak keeps telling us "MasterCAM is working on a post.." Arty, we just got the machine, the install isn't actually done yet so we don't really have our programming strategy sorted out yet. We bought the machine as a turnkey, so the part that was originally slated for it is already programmed; we will need to get other parts set up over there soon, though. Any input from you or other Integrex owners is much appreciated as this style of machine is completely new territory for us. Thanks in advance C

We've been hearing rumors for a while about a (useable) post for the Mazak Integrex (ours is a 300SY); anybody out there actually seen one? The machine should be coming on line here soon and I really ain't looking forward to longhand programming. C

Not to beat a dead horse, but I have to agree with the other guys about programming at the machine; no way! We run everything from Yasnac 2000G's with a bouncing-ball (no CRT, yuck!) to Fanuc 18T to Mazak Fusion MT to the newest Okuma (E100L) and none of them make any money while they sit still. The Fanuc and the Okuma have nice shop-floor programming capabilities, but unless you have no one in the office who can program, off-line is the way to go. The animation in the machine can work to your advantage (in machine-lock with the dry-run on, of course) to catch errors, but programming on the floor is slow and prone to distraction (not like I've tried it...). C

Not really sure if you're looking for more replies to this or not, but the message keeps resurfacing, so I'll fire one off. New (basically self-taught) MasterCAM users from the Boston area, just trying to feel our way along at the moment and wait 'til the bottom line looks better (then maybe we'll spring for some training). Mostly turning work; any more lathe guys out there? C