Just draw simple wire frame to start out. Mastercam allows you to import an autocad dwg drawing and apply tool path to it. I'm not sure if the "demo" version will allow that or not, I never tried it. To output g-code you are going to need a purchased version of the software. Your local industrial Mastercam dealer does not handle the "educational" version, but they can probably tell you who does. Most of the colleges use the "educational", not the "industrial" version of the software. Both of these versions can save files and postout g-code programs.

Also check out the books tab at the top of this web page. I recommend the Mill Level 1 training tutorial to get started. It has step by step instructions on how to draw the part and create tool path for the part.

Alex, Find out who your local Mastercam dealer is and see if they can send you what we call a "demo" disk (CD). In some cases it is free or a minimum charge. You can create geometry and tool paths. You can not save your files or post out g-code. It is a learning tool. The student version costs a little more and only adds the ability to save your files. Some students like this at the college level. It is also a timed version which only lasts for 14 months. Your dealer can tell you more.

Ted, Dave created a tool path for you and emailed it this afternoon. Did you get it and is it what you were looking for?

Here is a link to our training classes and schedules at the Elgin office: Shopware Training Schedule

Toonz, Dave beat me to it. Let us know exactly what you are looking for and we can probably put something together for you.

If you do it the way I mentioned above you can tool path everthing from one part model. You don't have to copy the model to the other 3 sides of the tombstone. It will look funny in backplot/verify, but the code will be correct since the coordinates are coming from different work offsets (assuming you set the origin to some feature on the part for each side).

Andre is correct. As for the WCS, top is normally the top of the tombstone. Set the WCS to top and never change it. I will add that you can use a different work offset for each side of the tombstone by setting them in the WCS view manager window for each view(side of tombstone)that you will be using. Just set the proper c/t plane before you start each tool path. This way when you call up c/t plane front, left, right, and back it will output the B index command and G54 thru G57 work offets.

I have turned quite a bit of 316L stainless with Mitsubishi US735 grade roughing at 325 SFM and .008-.010 IPR feed.

I have used all three of these books. Start with the 4/5 axis training tutorial for X3. The first half of the book covers typical 4-axis tool paths. The second half covers the legacy 5 axis tool paths. This is a step by step tutorial and is good for self learning. After you are done with that one, get the Advanced Multi-Axis book. This is also a step by step book covering all the newer advanced multi-axis tool paths. The professional courseware book assumes you are already familiar with using some of the 5 axis paths and doesn't cover every single step. It is sometimes used in a class room led by an instructor.

Rick, believe it or not I have seen video cards cause trouble when printing. Had a PC with an ATI card that would fail and go white screen whenever I tried to print. Solved this problem by disabling hardware accleration in the settings/configure/screen category. It may not solve your problem but its easy to try out.

I did this once on a rubber roller. I just programmed manual G-codes. G00 X12.0 Z.10 G32 Z-12.0 F??? (as needed) G32 Z.10 G28 U0 W0 M01 This created a diamond shape or figure 8 as you call it.

We have the same problem with the numbers changing on all of our class room computers including my newest one.

Nice job Jay! [ 02-08-2009, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: Scott Lundin @ Shopware Inc. ]