Nvidea K4000 has my vote for above average overall performance... coming in at under $700, it's a pretty good value too. If you can afford it, get the K5000 but the price gets pretty steep for this one. Just be sure to get the "K" 4000 or 5000... the K stands for Kepler technology and it is worth the extra $

I never use leftover anymore... not a good toolpath, IMHO. I use Rest Rough with stock model. But to answer your question... when you're in verify, zoom in on the area you want to see... then click the verify tab at the top and use "Accurate Zoom."

Not sure exactly what you are after, but if you just want it to post out comments labeled differently, then no, I believe both pockets come out with the same comments... it may depend on your post though.

Toolpath/Transform

Nice!

I agree... I have had very good success with these in large 50 taper machines. I tried to get the owner to buy the dampening extension with the solid carbide rod in it... but the price was a bit high. I heard that works really well to eliminate chatter on long reaches as well.

Yes, take multiple passes. You didn't mention material, but if aluminum, 2 equal rough passes and a spring cut... steel, prolly 3 or 4 equal passes with 1 spring cut.

Wow... good catch Flycut... I've never used them, so I didn't understand why it was moving up in Z at the midpoints of the contour.

Here are my settings... Entry/exit arc sweep = 0, Start at Center checked so that the operator can see location during set up... works every time.

Here is a suggestion so that you don't have to plunge into the plate... under Cut Parameters, try ramp with a depth and make pass at final depth... and under Lead in/Out, check the box to Retract Before Last Move. That will avoid a plunge straight into the material... and a full width cut exiting the material.

I wonder if this is just an X5 issue... the problem I saw was the cutter raising up and down in Z at the midpoints of the contour... I'm in X9 and I do not have access to X5 anymore... so I re-chained and re-generated everything and it works fine for me now. I used "Control" comp for years without issue... never saw this problem. Try chaining only one contour and see if that corrects it.

Can you post the file itself? You will get a ton of good examples/suggestions if you can.

High Speed Toolpaths... change rapids to feedrates

I have an operator that says he worked in a mold shop that used a pencil type toolpath to finish smaller radii in corners first... then the finish ball end mill would not chatter in the corners, and it would leave a better finish. I was thinking about trying it, but when I backplot it, pencil mill BEFORE the finish ball EM, because it is a small end mill, it looks like the first pass would be taking a pretty big swipe along drafted walls. I've never tried it... just wondering if any of you mold shop programmers make a practice of this or have ever tried it?

I bet if you put an example of a problem toolpath on here... you will get several different and better ways to program it... that is really my point. I'm not saying the way you are doing it isn't "buggy." I'm saying, change your paradigm and rethink your method... I bet there is a better, more bulletproof way to handle it. For example, I almost never use "Circle Mill" anymore...if I'm roughing, I'll use 2D HS Dynamic... and for finishing... "Contour," "Helical Bore," or a HS surfacing path. Just a thought.

I don't usually chime in on these rant sessions, but I guess I'll put my viewpoint out there for consumption. I've never heard anyone claim Mastercam is perfect with zero glitches... there are always a few work-arounds to contend with when using any software this complicated and powerful. Having said that, I would NEVER stick with the old versions solely because I find a problem or two with the newest version... even when Mcam converted from version 9 to X, I jumped in with both feet. Within 2 weeks I was loving it, and every update since has been awesome and fun to learn. You are doing yourself and your employer a huge disservice by not keeping up with the times... toolpaths are getting more efficient and planes/multi-axis are getting more powerful. My advice... work through the small problems and learn different ways to achieve the same result... there is always a better way to accomplish something. Also, ask your questions HERE!!! I am amazed at the multitude and more efficient ways to accomplish something when you pool dozens of talented individuals with a high degree of knowledge like there is on this site. JM2C

I agree with bd41612 Here is an example file of what he is saying... I prefer plunge though instead of ramp. Edit: You might be able to plunge mill that too... really depends on your set up.

Ah... I see what he's saying now... I'm a fan of Helical arc Entry/Exit. Rarely, would I plunge into a side wall for any operation.

If "Z doesn't move"... you won't have a thread.

Didn't know that... gotta try it

I move the part where I know I will want it to be for the 5-Axis operation... then I use WCS for everything else like the 1st qualifying operation. So, both for me.

Can't you just uncheck "Large BMP" ?

Same here... looks like a new install... resets my Mastercam settings too... not a huge deal, but is there a code I can use to activate? ...yeah... the more I look at it, I think I have the wrong download... it's the full version for inspection. I'll wait until just the free tools are available for download.

Personally, I try to never have more than one instance open at a time. If someone comes in with a question about a different part, I'll save where I am and open the other file... or better yet... I take advantage of the opportunity to shut Mastercam down and then restart opening the new file... seems to clean up whatever bugs that need to be reset. Now that Mastercam opens in a few seconds, it doesn't seem like a burden anymore and I really have far fewer problems doing things this way.

If you had a previous X9 version installed... did you uninstall it according to the recommended process? Otherwise, try turning your firewall off?