I was adding some drafting notes to the set up sheet that I send out with a programmed part. This particular part had a lot of detail that needed to be explained. I wasn't using a large font, so until I did a zoom I didn't know there was a problem. Somewhere along the line about half of my drafting letters and numbers had become corrupted. The letters and numbers were replaced with all kinds of symbols. I exited MC and rebooted; it happened again. In all it happened three times. Finally it stopped doing whatever it was doing. I am using Version 8.1.1, level 1 for mill and lathe. Has anyone else ever had this happen?

This may not be the same problem, but I was getting the same error. I'm programming for Haas machines. After a lot of head scratching I found the problems. They all (the problems) had to do with basic rules of using cutter comp. 1. Cutter comp. CAN'T be turned on in an ARC MOVE. This was the biggest headache. To fix it, I add a line in front of the Z move into the part before the arc. I add a line with a G91, G41 or G42, XO, YO, F300., this then turns on cutter comp. On the next line I put a G90 back in and I am running in cutter comp. 2. Cutter comp is being turned off prematurely. I remove the G40, and put on the line that has the G0 out of the part for Z. But, Cutter comp. does not work with a G0, so I change it to G1 and add an F300. I don't know how to change posts, so this method works for me. It sometimes is a lot of work, but it is not dificult after you figure out what the problem was.

I have had the same thing happen a couple of times. Most of the time the dimensioning will not import, but the last time, I got the dimensions and no geometry. It wouldn't have been too bad, but the dimensioning was not very well done, so I had a difficult time reconstructing the geometry.

Thanks Andy. As usual it was another stupid little thing I overlooked. In the Job Setup page I forgot to click on the "spindle/turret" button and change the speed there. I had as you said changed common parameters in the configure screen, but the other apparantly overrides the config.

I am tearing my hair out over this problem(believe me, I don't have much to spare. ). I can't get my defaults (max speed, coolant etc.) to stay when I change them. But, If I look at the defaults by Screen>Configure>NC>Operation Defaults, they are what I want them to be. I was able to set them using "Edit Common Parameters". First, I have read all the posts on the site about this and believe I followed the advice. Second, I used the help in the program. I have set the defaults on a new file, I have set them on an old file. They will not read through when I write a new program with either method. Also, If I try to change a default, I get a message "No Boundary Points Selected". What the -- is this all about? I am running Ver. 8.1.1 that I just had to reload because our IT dept. had loaded Ver 8.1 over my 8.1.1 by mistake. I previously had everything the way I wanted it. Any advice will be welcomed, thanks.

I'm not sure I followed the question correctly, but we never dump our geometrey files. We do however, back them up on a network drive. We continually have to make revisions so it makes sense to us not to delete them. And, the associative feature of Mastercam makes that a piece of cake.

This is a question for JAMMAN. First a statement, I am in love with Northern Michigan, the Lake Michigan shore, and the UP (before anyone asks, yes, I like snow). I am planning to retire in one of these places, and that could be any day now. Secondly, is there much Mastercam work up your way? I have vacationed in the area (mostly in the straits)a lot in the past 25 years and didn't notice an abundance of industry. I could not think of anything better than to live up there, and work with Mastercam. I had a chance to take a job in Holland, MI a few years back, but didn't. Now I realize I goofed. I think you are fortunate to live where you do.

Peter: Thanks for trying. Yes, this is a Lathe8 problem. Putting the v8.1.1 back on is my top priority for this weekend. I have found several other little things that are annoying me which were not present when I was running v8.1.1 and I want to fix them. Long live IT, they are always there to help! [ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: jenks ] [ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: jenks ]

When I backplot my toolpath I am getting a message as follows: "A time estimate is not computed when SIMULATE CUTTER COMPENSATION is selected. I used to get a time displayed, so why don't I get a time now? This is what I am doing: [1] Getting the OPERATIONS MANAGER [2] Pick BACKPLOT [3] Pick RUN [4] I get the message. [5] In the Lathe Backplot menu: I pick DISPLAY. [6] In the BACKPLOT DISPLAY PARAMETERS box it shows a box that is checked. The box is labeled SIMULATE CUTTER COMPENSATION. The box and message is grayed out and I cannot change it. [7] In the TOOL PARAMETERS page 2 I am using CUTTER COMPENSATION IN COMPUTER. I have tried turning this off, but it makes no difference. [8] I have COMPENSATION IN CONTROL turned off. I am using V8.1, I haven't got around to loading 8.1.1 again(again because our IT dept upgraded our system to WIN2K and reloaded the wrong version of Mastercam). Once again I think this is probably a simple problem, just knowing which button to pick. I share this system with two others, so I know we occasionlly change something that unknowingly affects the others. I think this is probably what has happened. If you are able to get through this long-winded discourse, and can help, I offer you thanks in advance.

Thank you! I knew it was simple, I wasn't double-clicking on the letter, just single-clicking. Oh, the embarassment!

jay/ aka cadcam I've was trying that method before asking for help, but nothing would change. What buttons should be checked or turned on for the color changes to be applied? I know it must be really simple, but I'm missing something. If I needed to change the color to red, I would just rub my face against the monitor.

This question pertains to CIMCO Edit Lite 4.10. The question is, how do I change the color of the letters "A" "B" "C" and "Q"? I thought I had done this on the prior version, but I can't get anything to change with this version. In advance, thanks to all.

I agree with FRANK. The easiest way to do it is to draw it. I have all my countersinks & center drills drawn, and when necessary I just merge the file and measure the depth.

My IT department upgraded my computer to WIN2K. I thought I had backed up every file I needed. WRONG! I reinstalled V8.1.1; when I tried to get my first file I knew what was wrong. "X Corrupted Entries Not Brought In" No problem thought I to myself, I'll just load "fixhatch.dll". That is when I realized I hadn't backed up that file. To make a long story short, I can't find this file in the patchs on the web sites. Can anyone direct me to this file?

54 years old. I've been machining in a maintenance environment for 33 years. CNC machining since 1987. I began using Mastercam with version 5.5(in addition to conversational programming in the beginning). I've been full time programming for the last 4 years(except when I have to fill in for people who are late, sick, on vacation, dead, etc.). I've got an accounting degree that I got with the G.I. Bill, while working full time as a machinist, which I might add I have never used. Making chips runs in my blood, my great-grandfather(with about 12 greats added)JOSEPH JENKS was called the country's first toolmaker(circa 1640 in Mass). Someone in the family has been making chips ever since. It's a good career that I've never regretted.

Mikhael: I'm also using an Okuma Lathe with Mastercam and find it to be exceptionally easy to use for programming. I'm not even sure I could program with the Okuma IGF anymore. But, I was wondering if you are using the canned cycles when outputting your code? I am, and find it really makes for easy editing on the machine, and it is easier for me to troubleshoot when I screw something up in my programming. We do a lot of one-off work and the operators like to be able to change some of the values in the canned cycles for better cycles.

To James Meyette: I believe Cummins is still doing fine, they are located in the opposite end of the state from me. I believe I did hear some rumblings from the voters in Columbus moaning about supporting Cummins with their taxe dollars. But, ain't it that way everywhere.

Here in the heart of the biomedical industry things are still going well. Saturdays paper had help wanted ads for CNC operators; $16.00 to $20.54 per hour. CNC machinists with Mastercam or Pro E experience; $19.50 to $24.94 per hour. No one is laying off, and the two biggest employers are adding about 800 jobs between them over the next year or so. All of which is CNC machining work. Myself, I don't work in the biomedical industry, yet!

I use Mastercam for everything. Since I work in a maintenance shop, most of my work is reverse engineering of OEM repair parts for extinct machinery. I am doing programming for 3 lathes and 3 mills. I also build some of our process equipment from scratch. I make detailed drawings, develop parts from an idea, build my fixturing, make sketches for the operators to use with their set-ups, just about anything that needs doing I do with Mastercam. But, I am not using solids. I even use a copy of Mastercam draft v7, that we were given when we attended the upgrade classes, at home for woodworking and home fix-up projects.

Eric: Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I was not changing the stock on the verify page. Worse yet, I admit I didn't even know it was there. Ignorance Rules!

When I try to verify my part in the "Operations Manager", my stock shows as a long small diameter cylinder. Setting the stock on the "Job Set-up" page does not change the stock. I am using Level 1 mill, version 8.1. The function works as it should in my lathe V8.1. It also worked in v8.0. Can anyone tell me what simple thing I am overlooking? I have no doubt it is "operator error"! Thanks!

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays too! There is no rest for the wicked! I'm glad to see that I'm not alone.

A small part of the system that is overlooked is the mouse. I've switched to an "MS Optical Mouse" and really am impressed with the way it performs. No more "sticky" moves because of dirt. Also,the resolution seems to be better.

Thanks for info on FAST. I also rely on this forum and anyplace else I can find to learn "tricks". There are a lot of brains out there to be picked.

Does anyone have thoughts they would like to share about the FASTech MultiMedia Training CDs? I've been using MasterCam since V5, and am still trying to unlock more "secrets". Will FASTech be helpful?