Just ported the CAM station over to a new Xeon processor with major speed and more to spare as it is a dual processor machine. Tried to get Spectrum (Multi-Dnc) to give us the license code as we were just moving over computers and they want $500.00 a year for this service even though they haven't updated the software with anything useful since 2006. I am looking for another solution for our DNC needs and asking for opinions here? I understand maintenance agreements and the need for them, to pay maintenance for something that never improves is called rent not purchasing...

I'll check out the FTP... We have not done anything in fourth axis on vertical machines but have done indexing on other equipment, not true 4th but just indexing... I assumed someone might have something that was cool to put in a case or on a shelf that stood out? We have some thoughts but haven't got real deep into finding models or creating any yet...

We are entering the 4th axis world on a new Makino F5 and I am looking for something neat and/or unusual to play with so we can learn. Was wondering if anyone has a file they would share? Using X4 at the present with solids and multi-axis...

Found the problem. Wish the technician knew more about the machine when they install everything...

When I try to drag and drop, the CNC is sending //filename to the PC which is telling the FTP server to move up two directories instead of just copying the file from the current directory. I thought it might be a parameter value that is telling it to send the // but can't locate any parameters associated to FTP that would do this?

I know this isn't a Makino forum but hoping someone here can help. Purchased a new F5 and having trouble getting files to copy using the Makino Pro 5 control. I have the ethernet set up and I can see the PC and even the files in the directory. When I try to copy and paste, the controll is sending //filename to the FTP server trying to move up directories causing failure. I go in on the Fanuc side and I can delete files but it doesn't give the options of read or punch?

I do the same thing at this point, I assumed that CNC would have a method to mirror the WCS? We use Inventor to create most all our models and drive the mirrored model from the original, it simply drives one from the other. I hate having to change two programs to work on mirrored details when a simple mirrored WCS would give us the same result. Has anyone discussed this with CNC software?

How do most programmers handle mirrored parts within there files? I have changed most of our programmers to using WCS and hate to have two copies of a part in a file but hate having two files even worse. I see no way to mirror a WCS and no way to drive a mirrored part from the original. We are doing a lot of dynamic cuts so if you use transform it doesn't give the results we are after. I would think a simple mirror would be easy but just don't see it?

Create a Macro to do it... Keep your code short but get the benefits of long code, this way you can program the retract distance you want for each drill and use the custom drill cycle to set it all up the way tou want it.

SAIPEM, Do not have either machine that you want information for, I just wanted to state Multi-DNC does work with FTP after you stated they do not do ethernet... I agree with you that the interface is old and outdated but it does work and cost much less than many other products out there...

Been using FTP with Multi-DNC here for years, also using rocket port serial and ethernet to serial without a single issue...

Has anyone changed the text User Def 1 or User Def 2 in the material library? I want to change it to something my programmers will be able to easily choose instead of refering to a file that list them... Where does Mastercam store the values used here? I exported the default library and none of the settings (Percentages) are saved in the export? FYI: Be carefull to never use the CANCEL icon to leave the editor... It will delete that material from the open library.

Didn't work... Based on the Fanuc manual, I am going to assume it can not be done?

Always assumed this would give multiple warnings that would show one at a time but I'll try it and see?

In creating macros and adding messages or errors, can multiple messages be displayed? Can you line break error messages so they don't run off the screen? IE. IF[#18NE#17]THEN#3000=1(THIS LINE WILL RUN OFF THE SCREEN IF IT IS TO LONG) IF[#18NE#17]THEN#3006=1(LINE 1 OF WARNING; LINE 2 OF WARNING; LINE 3 OF WARNING)

Fanuc 21i. We always have the true radius of the cutter in the offsets that match the tool number (T1=H1,D1) and use a laser to measure the tools. This way anyone can view the offsets and determine what size cutter is in the machine, we add 100 to the offset to use wear comp so as to reduce operator error (T1=H101,D101) and have logic in the post to check tool number equal offset number if control comp is used and tool number equal offset number plus 100 if wear comp is used. My goal is to create a macro and modify the post: Check the offsets of the tool in the spindle to confirm the offsets are not zero. Confirm the tool matches the programmed radius when using computer comp (within .0005). Confirm radius of cutter is within a percentage (10%) of the programmed tool diameter but not larger than the programmed diameter when using control comp. Confirm the radius of the cutter is within a percentage (10%) of the programmed tool diameter but not larger than the programmed diameter when using control comp. Do the math to place the correct wear offset in the control in the correct offset based on the measured tool offset. This way the operator does not have to measure for wear but just run the same macro to measure the tools length and radius like he always does.

Anyone get around to writing the offset macro? I decided to do the same thing and looked on the Forum first...

If you are using cutter comp on the machine and the machine parameters are set to adjust feed rate on arc then the machine is adjusting the feed rate to maintain a constant surface feed rate based on the linear distance of the arc...

Most older machines and many new machines can not use direct 4th axis...

I would assume V9 then since it works fine on my end this way also. I was hoping someone from InHouse might ring in and solve the issue?

Are you using V9 coolant?

Here is the best way I found to get it working. Macro line as shown is for Blum probe... code: ptool_insp pbld, n$, "(TOOL INSPECTION POINT)", e$ tool_insp = 1 pretract #turn coolant off, hsm off, move Z to safe position (Home) if mi10$=one, n$, *sm00, e$ else, pbld, n$, *sm01, e$ pbld, n$, "G9602", *tlngno$, *mr5$, "B1.", *n_flutes$, *mr6$, *mr7$, *mr8$, e$ if mi10$=one, n$, *sm00, e$ else, pbld, n$, *sm01, e$ toolchng = 1 #Not Sure if this is needed? Taken from ptlchg$ prv_feed = c9k #To force feed on next feed move #Tool change common blocks taken from ptlchg_com if force_output, [ result = force(ipr_type,ipr_type) result = force(absinc$,absinc$) result = force(plane$,plane$) ] pcom_moveb pcan if plane$ < 0 | opcode$ = 3 | opcode$ = 16, plane$ = 0 sav_absinc = absinc$ if wcstype > one, absinc$ = zero if convert_rpd$ = one, [ gcode$ = one feed = maxfeedpm ipr_type = zero ] pcan1, pbld, n$, *sgcode, sgplane, sgabsinc, pwcs, [if gcode$ = 1, sgfeed], pfcout, pfxout, pfyout, pfspindleout, [if gcode$ = 1, *feed], strcantext, e$ phsm1_on #must remain before G43 pbld, n$, "G43", *tlngno$, pfzout, scoolant, e$ pcan2 #Added so M and G codes in canned text will output before phsm2_on phsm2_on #must remain after G43 sav_coolant = coolant$ if coolant$ = 1, sm09 = sm09_0 if coolant$ = 2, sm09 = sm09_1 if coolant$ = 3, sm09 = sm09_2 absinc$ = sav_absinc pcom_movea toolchng = zero plast tool_insp = zero pbld, n$, "(TOOL INSPECTION POINT)", e$ I added the tool_insp flag to leave the spindle on in pretract with following line modified... code: pbld, n$, sccomp, [if tool_insp = 0, *sm05], psub_end_mny, e$ The problem I have left is getting the coolant back on using X style coolant, works fine if using V9 coolant. Any one have any ideas?

I too have had this happen in the last few days, along with a few other srange things since Maintenance has elapsed... Seems like a ticking time bomb tied to a maintenance date?

I would like to see the lock speeds and feeds moved to each path instead of in the confguration...

And maintenance will be reduced due to the extended time between releases? I completely agree with extended testing after all the issues with the relase of X4, I just can't see continuing maintenance and not getting what I was told (promised) from my dealer...