It may not be your mouse at all. IF they are new computers, it may be a video card issue. I believe in the Tech Tips directory it talks about a couple of video cards that can cause problems. That's just my two cents though. I'm not by any means an authority on the issue. But we buy Dell's and are finding that we have to replace the video cards if we want MC to perform well.

I get the rolling flashight and then my "session was terminated". I'm going to check with our IS guys to see if it is on my end, I'll let ya know.

Thanks! That should do it!

Does anyone out there have a drill chart for STI Taps (Or a link to one)? The one we used ou ton the shop floor has been "destroyed" . I quickly searched my Machinist's Handbook and found notthing, not that I looked very hard. Anyhow's I figured you guys would be my quickest resource! Let me know, Thanks!

Thanks sooo much cadcam! That worked perfect.

I've done a few e-mails on this post... I was wondering if anyone had this convereter? As well as do they have a converter that works? If so, I would greatly appreciate a copy of it, feel free to e-mail me with any information on it. Thanks!

I'm in. Still a little confused. I have a Paypal account, do ya mind e-mailing me instructions?

Thanks for the input so far. I suppose I didn't word it so correctly, you're right accuracy is the main issue, that and the fact that if I'm getting surface rust on my table top, toolholders, and gage blocks from just sitting in a room, just imagine what this could possibly be doing to insides of the machine.

I'm trying to plead my case in regards to the affects of varied temperature to CNC mills as well as inspection equipment. I'm machining precision molds in a room that fluxuates anywhere from 58-75 degrees (that's a guess, who knows how cold it gets at night). Anyhow's, I was wondering if anyone had any links to articles that would help me explain the damage this can do to a machine (My word isn't good enough!!!)

My bad, I suppose it takes up less file space on your site too! If anyone out there needs it zipped let me know.

It's ther for all to see: "SLICK EXAMPLE". Now mind you, when I said "complex surfacing" I wasn't refering to the model being a really complicated part to machine, I just thought that was the proper term for this type of application. It would be great if you, or anyone else took a look. Like I said, I'm shooting for perfection, I don't know if I should use more control points in my 5-axis toolpath, if my spline output should have a smaller value etc. I'm butting heads with a guy who is "Laser Tracking" this part, and apparently he seems to think the surfaces I've been cutting are deviating outside the +/-0.015 surface tolerance. I of course think he doesn't know how to use the Laser Tracker! Anyhow's, I've got a few people taking a look which is excellent! I appreciate it. This is a little battle between people who comperhend what MasterCAM and machining is capable of against the skeptics that insist it must be a bad program. James, ju8st so you know, the file I e-mailed you was a disected file, the complete one is on the FTP site.

I'm machining complex surfaces with a 5-axis mill. It's pretty much been a self taught/ask as I go experience. I am looking for perfection and am not satisfied with my results. I have an example model with toolpath and screen shots of my config settings. So I was wondering, if someone with some very in depth experience in this field might be interested in taking a look and giving me some advice, criticism, and knowledge. It would probably work better to communicate via e-mail, but if ya wanna use the forum I understand. Thanks ahead of time!

watermaker has a point. The most common problem I have seen with Fadal spindles are the belts. You would be able to see black dust or chucks around the spindle head if they are going. If that is it, it is in your best interest to have a service department come in the first time to show you how to change them. It's a pain if you have never done it. As far as the "jerking" can you describe this a little more in depth? Do the Axis' jerk? Or the tool holder? And finally (I'm a little long winded today!) Buying a new one, or a rebuild, and then having your original rebuilt to have as a spare is ideal, depending on how hard you're pushing it, you won't have much down time if it goes out again.

Your best bet is what we call a "Rat Tail" cutter. It has no flute, more of a diamond pattern, similar to a grinding edge. Feel free to e-mail me and I'll give you an example brand we use. That style of cutter, high RPM high feed rate, conventional cutting and you're set. Diamond coated cutters are swell, but if you math out the cutter life gain to the cost increase, you're still losing cash, I haven't seen an application where you can push a diamond coated cutter any harder than regular ol' carbide. It's all about the grade of carbide being used. Dust collection is key! I've ruined many the jackets and sweatshirts getting that stuff stuck in the sleeves. And the only thing that will get rid of the itch is time!

Really now James, if it was say, a player from Arizona or UW that pulled something like that, wouldn't you say "Tough luck!"? It is his fault, if he's willing to take the risk and not get drafted or make it as a walk on, he should have to suffer for his decision.

The resin you use is technically enough to hold the metal as long as you rough it up a little. What you have to look out for is "Galvanic Corrosion" (Not like I truly understand what that means). But to prevent that, you would use a standard epoxy. Putting a layer of that inbetween the two materials will protect, and help strengthen the bond. You might also want to look in to anodizing the aluminum and cad plating the steel. That's about all I can really help you with, it's not something I actually do, just something I've "accidently absorbed" here at work!

Are you looking for ideas on how to bond the material? Or how to cut the material?

ken, there is a new users please read topic. I recommend reading it. after doing so, you might find that asking people on this forum for help editing a post will get you a lot better results than asking for an actual post. Unfortunately, the only help I have is the above suggestions. Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

We use the "Super Control" on our Thermwoods as well as program with MasterCAM, it's virtually flawless (knock on wood!). I have taken a gander at the programming software on the control of the machine, and to be honest, I was a little skeptical. I'm sure there are pro's out there that can do it, but I'm also confident you would have much better luck using MasterCAM.

Welcome to the forum. I use MasterCAM for 3,4, and 5 axis programming, and all in all, it works just swell! The only two tips I have for you are: 1. Make sure you set up having a proven post processor that works and does what you want on your machine (if you are buying MasterCAM) before purchasing it. 2. The search feature is great on this forum. If you type in "5-axis" for example, you'll find a number of post's with people asking the same question. Good Luck! Let us know if you end up prgramming with MasterCAM.

Welcome to the forum! So another option, depending on whether you want to accomplish this or not: "Toolpaths", "Next Menu", "Manual ent", and wala, you can input text in to your code, even a home function.

"For Certification to mean anything, it has to be credible. Mastercam Certification is tough. But if everyone who attempts it passes, then it becomes meaningless." Very nice statement Charles!

It wasn't really brought up, but after reading all the responses... Don't you think seein's how MasterCAM is going with a "Maintenance Agreement" they should maybe start providing a "Certification Course" to go along with it? I know it's kind of a devil's advocate question, just throwing it out there, but that would be pretty appealing. Say every year you pay, you are qualified for let's say one to two employees to go through a certification course. Maybe if it's always the same person, for every year you pay, the higher level of instriction you receive. Our dealer provided this company with a two day traing course which granted, it was just fine for a beginner. But I know now that we are getting CATIA V5, they are providing full one week courses for the engineers that already have experience with there software. Just food for thought, and trust me, I don't like the fact that I used the "C" word either

Thanks a lot for all the input. The certification part wasn't really the issue, but I see all of your points. I guess the end result is contacting our dealer. But feel free to give me more input. All in all we just want more people with the knowledge of MasterCAM.

I would like to take a little "survey" of all the different training facilities out there for MasterCAM. My compnay is currently looking to establish a system to send employees for "certification". The location is irrelevant, what is important is the "depth" of training that they can receive. Please let me know, and thanks. Oh, and if there is a link to a post similar, I apologize, feel free to share the link with me.