Hi all, I'm new to the HST paths and am trying the optirough for the first time. Is there a way to force the tool path to start out side of the stock (or maybe the containment boundary?? I set up a containment boundary that is just slightly larger than my first roughing tool but it always seems to want to helix into the part and that has the tool disengaged more than is necessary. The only options for entry method don't seem to include rapiding to depth outside the stock. Is there a simple way to do this? Thanks X5 btw.

Thanks Festus. I played around with the Curve tool path and finally got tool path I was looking for. It did expose a post issue that I've had before but I have usuable code. Thanks again.

Oops. Around X.

I tried to attach an .igs file and the server wouldn't accept it. I managed to attach an MCX5 file (hope it can be read). The part is a solidworks part imported as trimmed surfaces with wireframe.

I have a part (see attached) that has 3 features that are angled at 17.5deg relative to normal. I have a 4th axis VMC with a trunnion table (rotates along X)that I could do this on but I don't know how to start. Up until now all I've used the 4th for has been indexing and haven't done rotary contouring since MC V9. I started by trying one of the multiaxis tool paths and holy $*%$ there are too many options. I don't know where to start. I'd like to just run a contour/profile type tool path that allows the cutter to stay parallel to the side surface of the part but I haven't been able to get something that generates even a remotely usable tool path. I guess the first question is which tool path should I start with? I'm assuming MC can generate a tool path like this? Can someone at least point me in the right direction? Thanks ADAPT PLATE 6-21-2011 .MCX-5

Make sure that the lead in parameters are set properly (probably to perpendicular if memory serves), and also make sure that the plunging parameters are set to allow plunging in both the X and Z directions.

One line that caught may attention though I don't know what it should look like is: #Numbered question 164. string to detect Rotary axis y/n sq164 : "" Should there be something in the ""?

John, Your replies are faster than my edits. here is the rotary set up section from the post, I don't see anything wrong: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rotary Axis Settings -------------------------------------------------------------------------- vmc : 1 #0 = Horizontal Machine, 1 = Vertical Mill rot_on_x : 1 #Default Rotary Axis Orientation, See ques. 164. #0 = Off, 1 = About X, 2 = About Y, 3 = About Z rot_ccw_pos : 0 #Axis signed dir, 0 = CW positive, 1 = CCW positive index : 0 #Use index positioning, 0 = Full Rotary, 1 = Index only ctable : 5 #Degrees for each index step with indexing spindle use_frinv : 0 #Use Inverse Time Feedrates in 4 Axis, (0 = no, 1 = yes) maxfrdeg : 2000 #Limit for feed in deg/min maxfrinv : 999.99#Limit for feed inverse time frc_cinit : 1 #Force C axis reset at toolchange ctol : 225 #Tolerance in deg. before rev flag changes ixtol : 0.01 #Tolerance in deg. for index error frdegstp : 10 #Step limit for rotary feed in deg/min maxfeedpm : 500 #Limit for feed in unit/min p-

Thanks John I just made that change and it is still giving me the warning and the increasing feedrates. Is there something in the post I should be looking at? FWIW this ia a post for and Anilam control that has been updated version to version since v9

Hi guys, I’m trying my hand at rotary contouring (up till now have just used the rotary for indexing) I have a simple file that seems to work (verify and back plot)till I try to post. First I get the warning: “Warning-Post Rotary Axis Assignment (‘rot_on_x’) Overwritten by Post”. If I click through it seems to generate the proper code until I get to the second depth cut and then it includes seemingly random federate changes every other line. Some of these federates are triple digit rates (560ipm?!). I have checked the C and T planed and both X and Y are in the positive direction. Is this a Post problem or is my set up wrong somehow? I've attached the file if that helps. thanks P- Posted code sample: N1180 X-.2068 U-13.825 F42. N1190 X-.1643 U-13.828 N1200 X-.1227 U-13.832 N1210 X-.0817 U-13.835 N1220 X-.0413 U-13.839 N1230 X-.0208 U-13.841 N1240 X-.0003 U-13.842 N1250 X.0398 U-13.846 F4.05 N1260 X.08 U-13.849 N1270 X.119 U-13.852 N1280 X.1599 U-13.867 F15.39 N1290 X.1987 U-13.881 N1300 X.2374 U-13.895 N1310 X.2807 U-13.931 F535.08 N1320 X.3206 U-13.964 N1330 X.3606 U-13.999 N1340 X.4072 U-14.07 F64. N1350 X.4393 U-14.119 N1360 X.4714 U-14.166 N1370 X.5213 U-14.301 F113.1 N1380 X.5727 U-14.439 N1390 X.6097 U-14.539 N1400 X.6467 U-14.639 N1410 X.7016 U-14.855 F164.13 N1420 X.7583 U-15.154 F219.04 N1430 X.7999 U-15.373 N1440 X.8414 U-15.59 N1450 X.8836 U-15.887 F290.29 N1460 X.9257 U-16.185 N1470 X.9841 U-16.71 F367.08 ROTARY SPACER TEST.zip

Is the machine actually dwelling at those spots? If so make sure that Mastercam isn't putting out a bunch of tiny moves that is causing the control to stutter or choke. I have run a 16A and 16B of that vintage (M plus control?) and the control and machine was fast enough do deal with most of the complex tool paths I threw at it. How are you holding the work piece? Those marks look like marks Ive gotten in thin pieces that weren't supported well or were warping. Is the surface coming out flat though rough?

Thanks guys. Shortly after I posted the question I noticed the the contour tool path was defaulting to a 3D contour. I squashed all the geometry to the XY plane and made sure that the tool path was 2D. I also went around the chain and trimmed all the entities to each other and that solved the problem. How the geometry may of wound up outside of the Cplane is a mystery.

I have a chain that consists of 8 entities (lines and arcs)that i want to contour with a 1/2" EM. However when I select the geometry and generate a 2D contour tool path it looks as if mastercam failed to use all of the geometry and I get only a partial tool path. If I Analyze>Chain the report tells me that I have 8 entities (which is correct). If I go to the tool path geometry and right click on the chain and select analyze it tells me that there are only 4 entities in the chain. I selected the geometry by using the select chain option not window select and the whole chain seems to select fine and looks as I would expect (FWIW I did try using window select to see if it solved the problem and it didn't). I have checked for gaps an didn't find any. I checked for extra geometry and din't find any either. If I change the start point sometimes I get some weird toolpaths. I have even tried redrawing some of the lines and arcs as well as checking my C and T plains. I'm really at a loss can some one please help. thanks

Or mill for that matter though I don't use insert drills in our mill. I have a 3/4" Sandvik 880 Insert drill (180 deg drill point) I want use in Lathe and I'm not sure how to set it up in the tool lib.

quote: I've come across this even when stock is defined. Several times in fact. I am absolutely religious about defining my stock and my tools as accurately as possible. I've got a nice part in my "special part collection" from when the boring bar tried to go home through the part. I lost a borrowed $600 Sandvik solid carbide boring bar the exact same way (right in front of the owner of the bar too). Stock defined, recognition on, tool defined. Taught me to use ref points it did.