Thanks, I will try what you suggest....previously I used the Multi-Axis and selected 4-Axis. I tried several options: Cut Pattern: cylinder and surface Tool Axis control: Lines and cut surface Cut Surfaces: Comp to surface, and use cut pattern I was not able to get it to back plot or post what I wanted it to do. Story behind the project: I'm a machinist who works on mastercam projects for practice purposes at home...and I don't have very much on the job "software cnc programming" experience. I've been trying for some time now to find a job where I could get this experience. I recently found a job that will allow me to design, program and machine fixtures. About a month ago, I interviewed at a company that manufactured machines that make tortillas. I aced the shop math test, however I didn't do so well on the mastercam test. My experience with 4-axis is more positional, setting up planes and locking the rotary table. I decided to create a shaft that is similiar to one of the shafts that they tested me on. Their shaft was a lot more complex. I didn't get that job, however, I need to practice this type of 4 axis programming. sorry to bore you with a long story, Thanks for the help....I'll see if it works. Bill

yes, the walls are offset...the center of the rib would actually be the centerline....so, the tool would be offset by 1/2 of the rib and 1/2 of the cutter. so, what you are saying, is that I'd have to create a 2D pocket...that is as long as the arc of the pocket on the shaft? Thanks for the help....I'll try it and see how it goes.

I use X4. I have a project with a pocket in a shaft. I've tried 4-Axis Rotary Toolpath and Multiaxis toolpath. The pocket is rectangular and the bottom of the pocket is a radius with the same center as the center of the shaft. So far, it basically kellers the pocket at A axis locked at 45 degrees....I could program it like this and it would work....however, that is not what I want it to do. The result I want is to have a program that posts out similar to this: This is a crude example G0X0Y0Z4.0A45.0; Z3.1; G1Z3.0F10.; X6.0; A46.0; X0; A47.0; X6.0; A48.0;.....etc.... I want to keller it with the axis rotating....and the tool centered above the part centerline. Can anyone help with the settings....I've tried... Cut Pattern: cylinder and surface Tool Axis control: Lines and cut surface Cut Surfaces: Comp to surface, and use cut pattern any help would be appreciated. I'm attaching a screen shot of the shaft Thanks, Bill

I use X4. I have a project with a pocket in a shaft. I've tried 4-Axis Rotary Toolpath and Multiaxis toolpath. The pocket is rectangular and the bottom of the pocket is a radius with the same center as the center of the shaft. So far, it basically kellers the pocket at A axis locked at 45 degrees....and that is not what I want it to do. The result I want is to have a program that posts out similar to this: This is a crude example G0X0Y0Z4.0A45.0; Z3.1; G1Z3.0F10.; X6.0; A46.0; X0; A47.0; X6.0; A48.0;.....etc.... I want to keller it with the axis rotating....and the tool centered above the part centerline. Can anyone help with the settings....I've tried... Cut Pattern: cylinder and surface Tool Axis control: Lines and cut surface Cut Surfaces: Comp to surface, and use cut pattern any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill

I use X4. I have a project with a pocket in a shaft. I've tried 4-Axis Rotary Toolpath and Multiaxis toolpath. The pocket is rectangular and the bottom of the pocket is a radius with the same center as the center of the shaft. So far, it basically kellers the pocket at A axis locked at 45 degrees....and that is not what I want it to do. The result I want is to have a program that posts out similar to this: This is a crude example G0X0Y0Z4.0A45.0; Z3.1; G1Z3.0F10.; X6.0; A46.0; X0; A47.0; X6.0; A48.0;.....etc.... I want to keller it with the axis rotating....and the tool centered above the part centerline. Can anyone help with the settings....I've tried... Cut Pattern: cylinder and surface Tool Axis control: Lines and cut surface Cut Surfaces: Comp to surface, and use cut pattern any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill

At the NTMA Mastercam classes, we used X generation software, however, most shops still use V9.

I'm having some trouble with a toolpath. This is a sample test path, I have plans for a much more complicated project using a spiral cut later. Basically, The result I want is to generate G-code for a horizontal mill with a rotary table that sends a ball endmill to a Z depth and rotates the Y axis 360 degrees and retracts. I created a 6" circle on the ZX plane, center is the orgin. I created a .5" radius surface and 2 check surfaces. (It looks like a bicycle rim). I'm having trouble with tool control and posted code. The tool goes around the part in backplot, however, it does not approach in the Z axis and the G code generated in the post is not what I described earlier. My tool parameters: Home position (X0, Y0, Z+10.) Reference point Approach and Retract (X0, Y0, Z+6.) Work, Construction, and Tool planes are all set for Top. (I've done some 4 axis positional programming and with the work plane set as Top and the tool and construction planes set for front, side, etc.) My Multi axis parameters: Clearance 5.0 Incremental, Retract 2.0 Inc, Feed plane .5 Inc, 4th Axis is the Y axis, compensation type is Off. Rotary Ax Parameters: (Rotary cut on) (Cut tolerance .001)Direction of closed contours is "Climb", direction of open contours "One Way", Axis dampening Length .1, Lead/Lag angle 0, Max step .1, Tool vector Length 1.0, (Cut depths, gap setting and Advanced settings are at default) Am I using the correct toolpath? Are my planes set correct? Are my settings correct? Did I create the Surfaces and arcs on the correct plane? Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks, Bill

I'm an entry level programmer When I program in 5-axis, the part and tool move around wildly. About a year and a half ago, my mastercam instructor showed me a trick to stablize the part in the backplot....well it was almost a year later when I started focusing on 5-axis again....and I forgot the trick. I think it was control-alt-(something) or an "f" function key. Can anyone refresh my memory?

thanks for the help...I'm finally able to to a decent setup sheet

one of the areas that I need to improve is my ability to make good setup sheets. I tried the "Setup sheet" function when I right click on the checked toolpath and I'm not very impressed with that. I recently purchased Microsoft Word non commercial use...it came with Excel and powerpoint...I got the combined package because it was less expensive and I am also working on a project that involves importing an excel table to another software....I'm having trouble with that also, however, that question is posted on another message board. With the Microsoft Word, I am easily able to paste pictures. I am not having the same luck with pasting screen shots. I tried the "Copy to Clipboard" function in the "Screen menu" in Mastercam X4. I went to paste clipboard in Word...and it pasted a blank white image to the document. Is there another way to import what is on my screen in mastercam to a Word document? or am I doing something wrong? any suggestions on how to make better setup sheets will help...until now I usually type the setup discription using "Manual Entry" in the "Toolpath drop down menu" thanks for your help, Bill

Here is a video of a project similiar to one I set up and ran at work. I drew the solid from memory after I got home from work. It's a small part part previously turned on a lathe 1018 steel (4.25" dia held in soft jaws), drill and tap the top...then rough the sides with a 5 flute HHS Roughing Endmill and finish the sides with a standard 4 flute HHS Endmill, then a ball endmill to cut the corner radius. All comments welcomed.....good and bad....what do you think The part I machined at work: I G-coded the soft jaws.....and the programmer used a corner radius tool to for the radius. Copy and paste the name in the Search window on youtube.com Shook Projects Mastercam X4 5-Axis 1.AVI

Here is a video of a project similiar to one I set up and ran at work. I drew the solid from memory after I got home from work. It's a small part part previously turned on a lathe 1018 steel (4.25" dia held in soft jaws), drill and tap the top...then rough the sides with a 5 flute HHS Roughing Endmill and finish the sides with a standard 4 flute HHS Endmill, then a ball endmill to cut the corner radius. All comments welcomed.....good and bad....what do you think The part I machined at work: I G-coded the soft jaws.....and the programmer used a corner radius tool to for the radius. Copy and paste the name in the Search window on youtube.com Shook Projects Mastercam X4 5-Axis 1.AVI

the programming structure where I work is: 3 programmers programming for all 5 axis and large 3 axis machines in catia 1 programmer programming for the Fidals in Gibbs Cam a VTL machinist and a slant lathe machinist programming their own in Mastercam 9 In the software I'm best at (Mastercam X2 and X4)....they don't have. I've recently been practicing with mastercam 9...I can program with it, however, I'm not that familiar with it....it takes me longer to do basic projects with it. I passed along a file of some of my projects 6 months ago to the manager of programming...it had solidworks, mastercam x4 and catia projects. He couldn't open the X4 files...and i don't think he looked at the solid works and back then, I had three basic solids i created in catia they were not constrained....he only looked at the catia files that had no programming...since then, I constrain everything and have worked on assemblies/drawings and simulations...and a project with one toolpath....the projects list is now up to 25 catia files. I've tried on several occasions to pass along more current projects...and he is too busy to look at them. I wake up between 2 and 3AM most mornings so i can work on projects in either mastercam, catia or solidworks. I leave around 4 AM for work and don't get home until around 6:30 pm or later...then dinner and about a hour to clear the burnout for the long commute from my head. Sometimes the hours change....but mostly, i work 5am to 5pm...sometimes 8 hour saturdays and 6 hour sundays....oh yeah, during spring and fall i got school at night one or two nights a week. I'm doing the best I can....at some point i'll learn Gibbs cam....but right now, i have plenty on my plate....ht ebottm line is that the path to moving up where i'm at is Gibbs Cam and then catia.....I'm not that patient to wait years for an opportunity that may never happen....I'm in my mid 40's now and the clock is ticking.

I'm a machinist...I currently setup/operate/edit a 5-axis Nicholas Correra gantry. The reason why I'm posting is that I'm currently looking for a job In the Los Angeles/San Bernardino/Riverside California areas that involves programming 100% of the time or 50/50 machining and programming. It's become clear to me that I will not get the opportunity to move up into programming at current my place of Employment. I'm familiar with X generation Mastercam.....including X4. Over the past 4 years, I've completed 3 Mastercam Classes at the NTMA. I just finished with my 2nd solidworks class at Mt. San Antonio College. Also, I am teaching myself Catia V5R19 using books and video tutorials. So far, with Catia and Solidworks, I've been solid modeling, drafting and assembly simulations....however, last week I programmed my first toolpath in catia. I'm considering taking a catia class at Cerritos college this fall. I plan on expanding my knowlege in different softwares, however, my main software is MASTERCAM. I practice my tool control and I don't just pick drive surfaces/check surfaces/boundaries and let mastercam plunge in wrong place or bounce up and down all over the place....like school projects do. I try hard to make toolpaths that won't break cutters and will work in the "Real World".....I'm an experienced machinist and I use that experience when I program. The biggest challenge I face seeking different employment is SEAT TIME. Most places want 5 years experience. It's a "Catch 22" situation. I just need to break thru that glass ceiling. I'm highly motivated..I can do the job if some company out there gives me the chance to prove it to them....I'm good at 3 axis and 4 axis positional and I'm getting better with 5 axis. I'll be happy to share some files I have on USB or I can do a test project. I will take a programming job for less money than most 5 year experienced programmers would. I've been advised to exaggerate about my seat time and basically lie and B.S. my way into a job...that is not my style...I'm not that desperate yet. Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy post, Bill [email protected]

I'm looking for video tutorials especially 5-axis. does anyone know of any good links?