Thanks guys! Yall gave me some ideas to play with.

I've been hand writing 2D programs for 15 years and got quite good at it, but clicking this mouse is a WHOLE lot easier. Thanks again.

Thanks..I have a closed contour and was wandering if there was a way to enter on one side of the part and exit out the other. I usually post the program and then edit it and typ in the lead in and out by hand. Just looking for a shortcut. appreciate the help.

How do you specify the entry and exit position of your lead in and out when doing a contour? Anybody know?

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When I install X+ and turn it on in my tool bar all I get is a small box with a red x on it to close it. Did anyone else have that problem?

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Yep . . . same here

Getting the tailstock to repeat within less than .0005" will be your next trick.....

That fixed it for me . . . THANKS!!!

Ok...I haven't had hardly any problems with MC x4 MU2 until now. I pulled up an old program that I wrote using X3 and added an operation to it, when I was done I went to setup sheet and it will only give me the tool I just added. I posted the program and it will only post the tools from the old program and NOT the one I added. I saved the file - closed MC - shut down my PC - re-started and i get the same thing. Anyone have any ideas

One way I avoid repetitive movement on the same spot on the bearings when peel milling a narrow slot is instead of puting my parts in square with the machine table I put it in at an angle. As steep as I can get it.

Here is a good place to start...

1/2" end mill = 2250 rpm 14.5 ipm. .1" doc.

1/8" ball mill = 17,200 rpm 39. ipm. .03" doc.

Are you using carbide or HSS. tools? Coated or non-coated and what type of cutting app.?

We do alot of hard milling & OSG / SGS tools seem to work the best

Rakesh...I have had to cut letters like this befor and it can be a pain sometimes. I also use an engraving tool that has the proper taper that I want but instead of a point I put a .01 to.015 flat on the end. I use "CONTOUR" and go in around the inside of the letters one @ a time. When I verify the toolpath if there is any material left over I'll add a small line to remove extra material and add it to my chain. Not good for high volume parts but it's ok for 1 or 2.

How many do you have to cut? What kind of material?

If you are milling, I would look into a Z-Carb-AP from SGS. They are a little pricie side but you get alot of bang for the buck. I have used these to cut 18-8 befor and filled up our VF-4 2 times in one day with one tool.

If you are milling, I would look into a Z-Carb-AP from SGS. They are a little pricie side but you get alot of bang for the buck. I have used these to cut 18-8 befor and filled up our VF-4 2 times in one day with one tool.

I guess i'll just keep translating in Keycreator and reopen with Mastercam until this get's fixed.

I have an issue! After upgrading from X4 MU1 to MU2 I can't Translate move anything. All it will do is Translate copy. I use Keycreator to do all of my cad modeling and usualy have my model where i want it when bring it over into Mastercam. Today I goofed and put my model in the wrong spot and when I tried to Translate move it would only copy. I have went over this simple step 3-4 times and can't seem to figure out whats going on(yes the "move" box is checked). Any suggestions?

I never use a drill chuck when drilling small holes, they don't seem to be very reliable. See if you can find a collet or a solid holder.

H.S.S. tooling works ok on copper. What I do to help reduce heat is to increase my feed and lower my spindle speed. Keep a heavy chip. As far as tapping goes, use a spiral fluted tap. Almost like machining stainless.

Just buy an E-Z Burr tool. Use it as a reamer. You can adjust your chamfer size and maintain it on both side. Their inserted too.....

I just use mastercam and slap the text on how I want it. It only takes a min.

I use stock set up and it just doesn't seem to matter...Sometimes it pulls up a random .STL file that I have used in the past.

I was thinking maybe it was someting I was doing wrong.... Thanks

A quick fix for a broken tool that i do is when the tool breaks I hit feed hold and write down the line number that it broke @ or back up a few blocks. ( write down the intire line ). The change and reset your tool. Go back to the line you wrote down and put in your start of progm.

T01 M06

S1000 M03

M08

( What ever your machine requires )

Re- Start your program from there.

Why is it when I set up an .STL file for my stock and finnish my prog. if save and re-open the file I have to go back and select the right .STL file to use.