We have several Makino Mag 1 machines as well as Several Makino D500 (trunion) machines. We are going to be changing all of our programs over to use G43.4 instead of G43. When trying to rotate the machine around to another plane and cut on that plane the only way I am getting "control" over my tool is to do a 5 axis curve or swarf path that moves the machine how I want. Are there any better ways to do this. Point tool paths don't get me the motion that we are looking for. Any help is appreciated as always.

I am trying to assign a tool list to a machine. I go into the machine definition manager and go to edit general machine parameters and set it there. When I do this it is not associating this tool list with this machine. I go to start a new file or open up a new file and it is reverting back to my "default" tool list in my config file. Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks for the replies. JParis - I go to the compatability tab and I don't get the option to check any of the boxes. Sounds like I neet to get out of Vista and get to Windows 7 ASAP.

Does anyone have suggestions other than purchasing a new card?

Just to clarify. My white outs are normal?

Ditto that

The problem was in my linking parameters. The settings that I had in X5 didn't match the settings in X6. I don't think I ever changed these in X5 and saved my op default. Not sure what happened but it is working now.

just ran a repair on my install and now it works. Looks like I am on the right version

same thing

LOL I just tried that and I get an error: Attempted unsupported operation. Then when I hit ok I get: Encountered an improper argument This is Friday and not Monday right?

How do I know what version I am running?

Thanks guys!!!!!

I got it to work. For some reasone my default settings in my linking parameters leads and retracts weren't the same as in X5. I have never messed with these settings in X5 or X6 before. But, needless to say I am up and running.

I would probably just use the silhouette boundary and make a profile of the stock. Offset the contour and then translate the geometry with join. Fun huh?

I just tried to run an opti rough tool path with a bull nose endmill in X6. This creates an invalid tool path that will go across stock material at max feed rate. I didn't have this problem in X5. Anybody else seeing this?

I have been using the opti rough tool paths for over a year now and have had great success. We use only necked endmills so our flute length is never greater than 1.25 x dia. Depending on set-up and horse power available. I have been getting full flute on the depth of cut and around 30% on the radial in aluminum. Material removal rates have increased tremendously. I haven't programmed the Mag 3 before. It has a 33,000 rpm spindle and 108 hp. Kind of a different ball game with those rpm's and the tooling required.

I am working on a hog out for a Makino Mag 3. This is my first part on this machine and I was wondering if anybody is using opti rough paths on this machine. Is it recommended or discouraged. The standard has been to cut whatever and however. Slot cutting is acceptable due to the horse power and rpm's available. I try to avoid slot cutting at all costs. Anybody have any advice or past experiences they would like to share?

I am even getting "white outs" when generating toolpaths.

That is how I have my Mastercam set-up. A while back someone told me to switch my Nividia settings to Dassault Systems Catia-compatable. I also notice that a program settings is available so that you can set-up Mastercam specific settings. My graphics card is shaky at best. When I got o verify and stl compare I get white outs and it seems as if my screen is trying to refresh. It takes forever and I can't even get out of the compare before it finishes it's business. I am not trying to move the view during a compare (I learned that lesson a long time ago).

I have a question about settings for your video card for Mastercam. What are the recommended settings for a NVIDIA Quadro FX 3700? Also, is this a good graphics card for Mastercam?

I am trying to use this tool path to swarf the outside profile of a part. I just started using it and really like the control over motion that is available. With that being said... When I go to the outside profile of a part I am having a hard time controlling what the cutter does. I have looked for sample files and there are none. I have read the help sections (which have been really helpful in the past) but the help information on these toolpaths is as useful as a "poop flavored lolli pop" (dodgeball quote inserted here). Anybody got any locations I can go to for help or be able to help me out here?

I have had a lot of problems with companies that use "roaming profiles" over a network for Mastercam users. Am I correct in my thinking that Mastercam runs better when it is strictly looking at the C: drive? Anybody have any thoughts on this?

I thought this was when you tried to start a new tool path and it was looking for the holder that was associated with your default operation on that toolpath.

Stock model is just like an operation in your op manager click the hide tool path button.

I was just wondering if anybody would be willing to post some screen shots of how they set up their operations manager. Another programmer and myself have been debating this for some time now. Anybody willing to share?