Not sure if I should post this here or in the Post processor forum but I'll start here for now. I had a strange problem occur today while thread milling a hole. Basically the toolpath did not do what was programmed and what Mastercam back plotted. I had programmed it to cut 3x .015" rough passes with a .005" finish pass, but what happened was a .015" first pass and them a huge second pass which actually broke the brand new tool right off due to the fact that the shank tried to pass through the wall of the bore. After inspection of the code I calculated that the toolpath position was going to overcut by .250 radially. I went back to recheck my program which still showed the correct toolpath and backplot. I figured something weird must be happening with the post so I called my re seller and recommended we use the Cimco editor backplot feature to try and narrow down the possibility's of what may be causing this. The Cimco software showed the same an incorrect toolpath that occurred on the machine. So whats happening. Thread milling is just basic X Y Z moves nothing out of the ordinary. Why is this not posting correctly? Why did the first pass go flawlessly. Does it have something to do with multipass? I am using a Heidenhain itnc 530 control on a Tos boring mill and running a generic conversational post by CNC software provided by my reseller and am on X7

I also have received this error and I wasn't able to use Art at all with X5 . I had to go back and use X4 until X6 was released. Bummer considering we paid the maintenance for the X5.

Thanks guys

I have a customer that has sent me some iges files and I cannot seem to extract the wireframe. I usually have all files sent in Step format. I simply move all the wireframe entities to another level. Done deal. This method is not working for Iges? What am I missing?

I usually go into misc values in each of the ops I want to transform. I uncheck the box that says "automatically set to post values when posting" and change the "lock on first wcs" to on. This will lock the transform to G54. Perhaps there is a better way but thats how I manage.

I ran into this problem when I installed X5. I had to open the Hasp software and reinstall the drivers. Fixed the No sim found message.

Is this the consensus? Everyone agree?

I originally installed X6 V15.0.3.28 before it was pulled. Now I need to know what the best way to update to the latest revision would be ( V 15.0.4.3). Should I uninstall X6 and then reinstall the new version or can I use the repair function? I would like to sort this out so I can start using it. Thanks

Could I have a MC copy as well. Looks like a fun project to show off to some friends. [email protected] thanks!

Nope no luck. I just right click on the tab on my toolbar and exit the set point program when I restart my cpu. Pretty annoying. Waste of money as it is right now. Perhaps things may improve in the future.

thanks guys, looks like I am not the olny one thats annoyed by this. I will have to try a couple of these things. Sounds like they may speed things up a bit.

I am trying to figure out why when I import a DWG file from my own computer ( somthing I've designed) to Mastercam I have access to all the layers and colors that I draw with, but whan a cutomer sends me a file and I open it all I get is white lines with every layer? Is there a way to import there settings?

Yes I to have also had this problem, I have not been able to use art for X5 MU1 since. I have sent my concerns to both, In House Solutions and my reseller but have yet to find a fix. I have just gone back to using X4 for the time being.

We only paid 60k for our haas with a 4th axis. Its like the old saying goes... "you get what you pay for". That said I really like the little haas I have. It does everything we want and more. Good bang for the buck!

I found the finish was choppy mainly because I was feeding at 150imp with only 4000rpm. .0125 chip per tooth tends to leave a funny finish. lol I did leave .01 for finishing but I was still pleasantly suprised with how well the roughing pass worked geometry wise that is. Sometimes with the traditional pocketing after roughing there are places where the is material left simply because the tool didnt get into these areas effectivly.

Just ran the first pocket and all I have to say is WOW!!!!! Much Much better than traditional pocketing. I was able to bump up my feed by over %100 and I could have went %200 I would think but I am being held back by my limited RPM. I am running 120ipm at 4000 rpm the finish is a little choppy because of the mismatch in feeds and speeds but I will clean that up with a quick finish pass. Now the only thing left to do is show the owner how effective these dynamic paths are and push for a new machine to use them to there full potential! lol Not holding my breath on that though lol

What kinnda finish am I going to get arount the perimeter of the pocket? Should I leave some material for a finish pass? Also since there is no finish pass with dynamic area mill would I just use a contour pass to run around the pocket to smooth everything out afterwards?

Aww! that make loads of sense. Sometimes when machining pockets with a smaller dia tool in the past I have broke tools in sharp corners. Its all starting to become clearer now.

Yes true. I never usually use more than 50% so this shouldnt be an issue. What exactly makes this toolpath more effective in this case? Why couldnt I use a regular pocket toolpath in the same manner. Cutting full depth and just turning the roughing stepover down to the same values as the dynamic path. With the regular pocket at least if would run a finish pass around the pocket. I dunno just trying to wrap my head around this stuff.

On the helical entry should I only use this or one of the other options in the drop down menu. Not sure if I see any reason to use trochodial cuts but perhaps I.m way off base with that thinking?

Yes I was going to use a helical entry. I use this type entry usually. I do not have an enclosure on my machine so I tend to use my blowgun to get in there with my blow the chips clear. I was going to start with a .100 radial cut and run 50ipm just to see how things react and step up from there. Looks like I am going to have to use a .500 3 flute cutter as well since the .375 isnt quite long enough.

Oh and thanks again for all the imput!

Ok so here is my part. The bumps on the outside have a radius of about .375. I also found a 3 flute .375 Hanita endmill that looks like a much better choice for aluminum. Now that everyone knows my parameters where should I start for settings? Normally on a pocket routine I dont go much over 50ipm and around .150" doc so with dynamic milling what would be a conservitive start point. OSCILLATING SPROCKET.MCX-5

Sweet thanks

My machine is a lightweight when it comes to machines. Its a HAAS TM-3 40 taper with only 7.5hp and 4000rpm. Pretty basic machine but I manage. As far as the endmill goes thats all I have. We are a small job shop and I have limited resources. I am not even 100 percent sure these toolpaths would be effective on my machine perhaps they would be slower. I guess thats why I am posting these question. I know I have run some pretty large files in the past and my control definitly has a hard time keeping up. I says its outputting 100-200 ipm when chewing through g code but it definitly isnt. Like I said perhaps Dynamic milling would be a total waste of time? Thanks again Jim