Just throwing this out there.

I have been using 2018 for some time now and as of last week been having all sorts of weird graphics problems. the only change i can think of is a windows update done by our admins sometime?

win10 work station with nvidia quadro 4800.

i just turned off nvidia desktop manager and some of my little gremlins want away.

just a stab in the dark you didnt detail all ingredients.

I have been very happy with all the Amada saws I have used in the years. sorry no experience with Hydmech or specific models. hope that helps a little?

not exactly the same motions but

i have created planes in 2018 and went to the plane manager and no show?

i found restarting mastercam makes them apear.

yep, wasnt my money so did what he asked.

+/- .003 was about the tightest except bores and we reamed or bored that. did a lot of spring passes etc to insure parts ran some time before cutter changes. also never roughed with a finisher    never. he was pretty strict but shop ran smooth.

I do tooling for a cheap a company now holding tenths with dull cutters on 1990's machine so comp and whatever other tricks i can pull out of my a$$ is a must lol

I use wear comp just my choice of flavors.. 

On 3/10/2018 at 5:08 AM, Tinyfxds said:

I use wear but at my old job I used neither.  The owner didn't believe in cutter comp.  All adjustments made were by the programmer and the program reposted.  This is one reason why I refer to it as my old job.

worked for a gent that approached it that way.

couple of advantages, source code was forced to be out of the box post and run, operators did not chase comp around. if a cutter was not cutting to size they would simply load a new one. owner was good at keeping plenty of stock in brand new quality cutters.

it was a very well run shop, had strict standards. any one with a little time at that shop could walk up to any job on any machine and know exactly what was what. 

just one way of doing things and it was not bad.

in the view option, top ribon. 

this is assuming you are using  V2018

1 hour ago, PAnderson said:

Your machine needs to be releveled.

I agree this could aleviate a few issues listed and maybe some undiscovered.

correctly supported level, trammed machine  is way undervalued or assumed by most.

23 hours ago, Orvie said:

How it works  
Collection process

Call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-SANDVIK (1-800-726-3845) to request free recycling containers.
You can use the collection boxes at each machine or cell to collect used carbide inserts and solid carbide drills and end mills. All carbide inserts and solid carbide tools, both coated and uncoated, will be accepted.
Fill the transportation boxes with carbide collected from each machine or cell. Put used carbide inserts and solid carbide drills and end mills together in the recycling boxes and or drums (see restrictions below).
Return process

Call 1-800-SANDVIK (1-800-726-3845) to obtain a Recycle Return Authorization (RRA) number and a current price per pound quote.
Fill in the customer information and the RRA number in the customer information box on the return form and on the return label provided in the recycling containers. This information will ensure that you receive your check without delay.
Ship the full containers using the shipping label included in the container. Be sure to include a copy of the return form in each container you return.
A refund check or based on current price per pound times the weight of the returned carbide, will be mailed to you within 15 business days after receipt of the shipment.
If you have any questions regarding your shipment, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-SANDVIK (1-800-726-3845). Please have your RRA number ready when you call.
Return restrictions

Include only stand-alone inserts and solid carbide round tools; carbide cannot be connected or brazed to any other material. We do not accept cermet or ceramic inserts. These items are not recyclable. Please do not return these inserts.

did this and was never contacted??

I just assumed they had bigger customers, i was upfront and told them I only have about 20lbs - one time deal with me i shut my shop down. said i might be able hook them up with the company i now work for. could be $$$$ 

??

DNC?

not elligant but a thought?

I hear your pain

Had an owner that insisted run just bellow max. I have been doing just that ever since, he was a very wise machinist and learned much from him.

always looked at it as 10k or 9800 it really isnt that much of a % at the end of the day.

BTW I personally have had very good luck with spindles. only had maybe 3 smoke on me in 35 years. of course i was not exclusive to every machine along the way so when someone smoked a spindle on a machine i have worked in the past does not say it was him or visa versa....

5 years on the haas i personally owned and it was smooth as silk when i sold it. I babied that thing most of the time, it was my time and my dime.

I have worked for two shops that ran multiple Haas machines.

1st one went through a spindle or two between 6 machines about every two years.

the other shop would blow a spindle out about every 3 months between 7-8 machines.

1st shop had pretty good machinists very few crashes and approached their jobs in a shallow high speed way.

2nd shop had less than talented machinists at least one crash a day and approached their jobs with full depth old school ways.

learn something every day, thanks all

On 11/20/2018 at 5:39 AM, Chris_C said:

My 2 "go to" holders for 1/8" shanks... https://www.parlec.com/Products/Tool-Holding/ERos-Extreme-Precision-Holders/CAT-40   &  https://www.techniksusa.com/metal/Cat_slim_holders.htm

I'd ultimately prefer the Regofix Powergrip ,but these are an "affordable" alternative for now...

Just put some Technik slim fits in action. so far so good and how I love the reach.

that's a loaded question

I currently support 3 machines 3-5 axis, I am the designer on some, programmer on all, estimator on most, material manager-saw, tool designer, operator and setup guy. machines run about 20% efficiency. argh. that's the way they want to run the business and I enjoy the mix.

I have supported up to 12 machines as programmer setup lead. that required a very, very good team all working together and we ran about 80% efficiency.

just the two sides of the coin. 

something is fishy here

I have a xeon respectable puter at work and think it was in the 7 minute range on this.

jus ran my i7 laptop nothing special and got 1 minute 36 seconds.

what gives?

yes I think sub programs and macro could be your friend regarding this.

good to set up the structure up front if you are doing a lot of nesting.

rough plus ?  flip rough plus.. rinse and repeat.

thats the general approach but might find a little more help with more info.. what size, what type of features, how much material removal and what types of tools are you currently cutting with.

dynamic machining helps a lot if it has application in your type of part.

i have a Dell 1500 series at home. have done some light weight to mid level with it  and seems to handle it ok.

not my top recomendation but we all have different needs.

M19 ?  . careful I am shooting from the hip.

hang in there, was a painful transition for me but got there.

I actually got so pee'd I set the new version aside for a couple months. too many pressing projects. 

but when I jumped back in the light bulb turned on and now dont want to go back.

those look pretty slick but lists available in 1/4 3/8 1/2..  ?

do they have other offerings?

I have had success with parabolic high spiral cobalt drills. got to keep them sharp sharp. tall order in that material. also it is slow. high production I would look to other options.

Does your stock have scale on it. if so cut flip cut flip rinse repeat until stable.

if the is not working I have had luck using 1/2 carb end mill dynamic milling aprox. 10% step over high speed style. sounds insane but doesnt seem to put stress in the material.  I think I was around 600 sfm 50-100 ipm ?

I ran a Toyoda that detected tool breakage via tool contact. some kind of continuity check? 

just food for thought, I have no idea how this could be setup to your application.