If you are sending to the machine fine, but reception is scrambled, it is most likely a send parameter on your control. From the description, either data bits, stop bits, or parity. Set all send parameters to the same as receive parameters on the control. You may TRY setting the receive parameters in Mastercam (strip carriage returns and/or strip line feeds) just to say you did, but I doubt that will do anything for you.

Bulliness has it right. Just remember to save your file just before doing this. Then make sure you turn Save as Geometry off right after you backplot, or you'll just keep creating these entities on the screen. Then re-read your file back in, which is easier than trying to delete the backplotted geometry.

As far as the dwell mark goes, try turning the machine accel/decel function off (G8 or G9, can't remember which; check your Fadal manual). The machine will no longer pause between blocks of code. A negative side effect is the machine will tend to bang against the ways when turning sharp corners. Not that big a problem with surface shapes, where the direction of the cut is changing gradually; except between cut paths. Use the Mastercam Gap Settings, MotionHope this helps.

It's easy to flame on the internet. I've certainly said a few things I wish I could have recalled. The best policy is to take the gentle path -you never regret that. Kudo's to you for apologizing; that shows real maturity.

I agree. These changes are relatively trivial for someone who knows what they are doing. However, if you have never worked in the posts, you can certainly screw things up pretty bad. The dealer will likely charge you a small amount for their effort, but it's cheaper than learning posts yourself (if you seldom alter them), and a LOT cheaper than continuing to make edits in the code after posting.

Precision is controlled when you output surfaces. Set the Tolerance value lower (example: use .0002 vs. .001). The overlap you see may not be what the surface is actually doing, but a result of the surface shading tolerance. The "tighter" the tolerance, the more accurate the surface display resolution. Try going to shading and setting Chord Height to a lower value (example: .0002 vs. .001). My guess is you'll see many of those "gaps" disappear! good luck

Dear Disturbed, I can only speak from my experience. Most CAD modeling is now done by the engineer, using a Solid Modeler. The results of that work is given to the manufacturer. While some knowledge of surface modeling is very beneficial for those machining molds or complex parts, I don't see a large market just for someone doing CAD work. You either design/engineer the part or you make it. But do not despair. With a little manufacturing training, which you can get cheap or free at your local trade school, you could launch into an exciting new career. Basically, you need some fundamental machining and CNC training to make yourself valuable to manufacturers. That could take anywhere from 6 mo to 2 years depending on the program. But if you are interested in making things, it can be a great new direction for you. Best wishes

There is no way currently to change colors of solid faces. The only thing you can do is put surfaces on the solid, and change their color.

I have a thought on this. I kindof doubt this is a round off problem, since Mastercam always (in my experience) rounds properly. Whenever I've encountered this problem in the past, I go into the post and set breakarcs=yes. That breaks the arcs at the quadrant points. What may be happening is (from the controls point of view) there are two solutions to the arc; given the code. That would explain why the on-control program is working, and the g-code from Mastercam (which is good code) is failing. This produces more code (4 blocks for a 360 degree arc rather than 1-2), but the reliability is worth it. For the same reasons of reliability, I generally use i's and j's instead or r's. [Though I've never had a problem with r's on the Haas control, I have on others]. Just something you may want to try. It's always worked for me. Charles Davis Davis Technologies Poway, CA

Personally, I've found that the software NOT updating depths is better than updating them whenever the operation is regenerated. Geometry depths seldom change once the parts in the manufacturing phase. However, it's common to drive the tool a little deeper or shallow than the geometry. For example, when cutting the outside profile, run the tool deeper so when you flip the part and fly cut, you don't have a thin layer of material hanging on. Seems that when the software would auto update the depths, I was always having to go back and reset my depths. Does anyone out there agree?

I generally extract surfaces from the solid for machining (create, surface, from solid) rather than trying to machine the solid. It gives me more control over the process. For example, I can color specific surfaces for the areas I want to machine, making their selection easier. However, I have found that surfaces created from solids are MUCH better than those created from wireframe. The seams between the surfaces are very tight, and the surfaces themselves are very efficient and well behaved. It's nice that we have the choice of using wireframe, surfaces, or solids, all in the same model. You get to choose the best method for whatever you want to do. Very powerful.

Check out www.mastercam.com and go to the Resellers area. That will give you a list of Mastercam dealers in your area. They can provide you with a copy of Mastercam, and often with leads for company's that need programming work. Contract programming can work, but there are a lot of issues involved, such as knowing what tooling the customer has on hand, etc. I suggest you start slow with only 1-2 customers, and grow as you gain experience.

Setting different colors is a good idea. Or, just turn the Verify=Y on. This will bring up a Next/Prev/Done menu that will allow you to toggle through the solids to pick the one you want. Set Shading=Translucent may help see the correct pick.