In steels I usually run middle to top sfm at 1 1/2*dia depth and cut the sfm by 1/3 for every added dia depth. A 1/4-20 at 3/8" deep at 60 sfm would be 917 rpm. At 3/4" deep it would be 408 rpm. (917*.66666*.66666)

Greg, Have you tried drawing this as a custom file or custom level? you can define just about any shape with this option. Hint: If you do decide to draw this it would be better drawn as a custom file. This way you only have to draw it once. I keep my customs in a special tools directory.

code: # Rotary Axis Settings # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Typical Vertical #srotary "A" #Rotary axis prefix #vmc : 1 #0 = Horizontal Machine, 1 = Vertical Mill #rot_on_x : 1 #Default Rotary Axis Orientation, See ques. 164. #0 = Off, 1 = About X, 2 = About Y, 3 = About Z # Typical Horizontal srotary "B" #Rotary axis prefix vmc : 0 #0 = Horizontal Machine, 1 = Vertical Mill rot_on_x : 3 #Default Rotary Axis Orientation, See ques. 164. # #0 = Off, 1 = About X, 2 = About Y, 3 = About Z rot_ccw_pos : 0 #Axis signed dir, 0 = CW positive, 1 = CCW positive The vertical mill is "active" (without the # marks. Just add # to the beginning lines of the vertical and remove them the horizontal. Note: My "rot_on_x" = 3 , I use the front plane for my paths and rotate around "Z" You may want to rotate around the "Y".

quote: Has anyone succeeded in using this on a 2k Pro system? No one here can get it to work I'm using win 2k pro. It works fine on my machine.

Thanks James, That was a terrific add-on! Now if there was a way to toggle off the side bar Tim teh always looking for more screen room.

Thanks for sharing Brian! I havn't reconfigged yet but works great on v9.1 sp2, windows 200pro

Thanks for the info. Can't wait for the clustertowers.

I rigid tap at 4000 rpm all day with up to 8-32 roll taps. A spiral flute tap is a LOT less stout than any other kind of tap. Try 500 rpm and if your tapping ok walk it up until your having problems then back it down 10%. If you can't tap at 500 rpm it's more than likely machine issues. I also never start any tapping less than 1/4" from the part to allow time for the spindle to get in sinc with the feed.

Thanks Paul.

Paul, About the changes that you can't discuss. Before I spend mega hours on this post, will I be able to use it for "X"?

Thanks Paul, I'll get Acrobat 6. At 1,600 pages I take it a book is out of the question.? The reason I was asking for a book is that is easier to bookmark and write what you are marking.

Paul, I'm sorry to keep you going on this thread. I don't need a macro for M05. I was just curious, that's all. I do have the post cd. Is the cd in book format? If not it will be by the time I done with it. I'm using the M03/M04 macro so the operators can dry run with the door open to look for interference between the tools and fixturing. The dry run macro also shuts off coolants, turns tapping, peck drill, boring to "G81" mode. Ron, I think I will still be able to use your Mi codes for the tool routing macros. The routing macro I use most for my clustervises uses up to six subs per tool on our horizontal. At our shop we may get an order for 50 parts one time and the next time the order may be for 5. The routing macros allow the operators to decide how many (in this case) vise jaw sets and either one or two pallets to set up and still be able to run the same program. I'm thinking that I can use the Mi postblock to tell the post which routing macro to use. I have seven macros for the clustervises and five for the tombstones so far, more get written as different processes are needed. If you have a better way I'm ready to learn.

I changed the 935 back to M05 and posted M05 ------------------------------------------------ # Generate string for spindle sm04 934 #Spindle reverse sm05 M05 #Spindle off sm03 933 #Spindle forward spindle #Target for string fstrsel sm04 spdir2 spindle ------------------------------------------------ N720G00Z2.875 N722M05 N724G91G28Z0.M09 ------------------------------------------------ Does this mean the spindle stop is called out somewhere else? Just a question, works just fine the way it is. This is my first attemp at writing a post (mpmaster version 9.1.03296). This post will be heavily loaded with macro and subprograms. I probably should have started with an easier one, but where's the fun in that. thanks again.

Paul, The #933 and #934 worked great, but #935 is sending out "935". -------------------------------------------- N106G43H02Z2.875S13000M[#934] N734G43H11Z2.875S9168M[#933] N720G00Z2.875 N722935 N724G91G28Z0.M09 --------------------------------------------- But the main part is fixed! Ron, I'm printing this thread. I have other uses for your Mi code. Thanks to all!

Thanks James, I'll play around with that then.

James, I've tried the 35 and 035. when it posts it reads: --------------------------------- N104G43H02Z1.075S13000M[,035,933] ---------------------------------

I'm trying to change m-codes to macro numbers ----------------------------------------------- # Generate string for spindle sm04 M04 #Spindle reverse sm05 M05 #Spindle off sm03 M03 #Spindle forward spindle #Target for string fstrsel sm04 spdir2 spindle ----------------------------------------------- I want to change M03 to M[#933], M04 to M[#934] and others. I've done a search and tried to figure this off the post cd, but apparently I'm missing something. thanks for any help.

I just tried to change my NCI path using Edit Common Parameters. It changed a little more than Half of them.

Is there a chance you have different program numbers listed. It seems I had this problem and I had two program numbers listed.

Thanks Herbert.

Is there a way to make one solid translucent while keeping the others shaded?

Can you interpolate the hole? If you can, drill leaving .010 material then use a tapered end mill to finish. We get 32 finishes consistantly in 304.

I don't remember exactly but I think you can download the work offsets through your control to your computer. Go to your work offsets, look for punch. It will download as workoff (I Think?). Just rename it to want you want.

It also won't analize and you can't pick tooltaths other than main view (lower left corner for me). Reset viewport to single then go back to multi. I usually reset to single viewport before verify.

quote: -------------------------------------------------- Also, the CWA (Commercial Workers xxxx) will prolly be going on strike some time after the 7th if SBC doesn't pull thier heads out. There's 13 states with 90% approval to strike. -------------------------------------------------- I saw on the news this morning a clerical woman was being trained to do installations in the Grand Rapids area in the event of a strike, fell off the ladder and broke an arm. I have a feelin she will be holding a picket sign with her good one.