I use backplot and verify for all my 5 axis toolpaths...no major crunches yet (crossing fingers). Alot of the work I program is 3D mould type stuff and I use verify on every toolpath to check for rapid motion gouging and it works fine for me. One of the most unpredictable things I dealt with when starting 5 axis work was retract motion so I've hard coded the post (head-head router) to retract the same every time. For 3+2 it'll retract to z4.0, re-position and continue only if there's a change in indexing angles. For 5ax continuous it retracts to z4.0 only at the end of the operation. My retract method could afford to be faster but it works every time and because I'm contract programming, I sleep at night. steve

The zero radius is most likely what's giving you the alarm, you're trying to decrease your radius down to an infinitely small size which is probably creating mathematical he(( for Mastercam. Try a very small value instead of zero and see what happens. HTH, steve

quote: I select solid faces all the time. I never have any issues with selecting the solid geometry, whether it's in sheet form, or true solid, for generating toolpath. Peter, I appreciate what you're saying about the ability to machine from solid faces. I've experimented with machining from solids extensively and the advantages in 2D are definitely greater than wireframe, but...I've found I can save alot of time on selecting "faces" in 3D programming by using surfaces instead. Typically, within a minute or two of opening a file that requires 3D machining, I know how I want to machine it and spend time on the front end, changing the colors on the machined surfaces according to the toolpath strategy I'm going to use. Using surface, finish, contour as an example it's as simple as selecting all red surfaces as drive and all green and blue surfaces as check. When your part file has 42 "faces" where you'd like to use a certain toolpath, it becomes extremely time consuming to select solid faces seperately. If version X allows changing color attributes on solid faces, I'm might just give it a try. Experience is the greates teacher. steve

...gotcha. I agree on the "machining from solids" issue. I've yet to machine anything 3D from a solid primarily because there is no way of selecting faces efficiently...an X feature? steve

Thad, although you mentioned step #3 wasn't an option, can't they be imported as surfaces then converted to a single solid by upping the tolerance so all the surfaces get stitched? steve

Hi Mike, enjoying the great weather us praire creatures are getting these days? Brutally cold, for sure. I'd recommend getting maintenance if possible. It'd be similar to spending $200K on a new machining center and not investing in carbide tooling because "it costs too much". The upgrade to Version X is included in maintenance if you buy in before it's released as well (as far as I'm aware). On a different note, any word on someone buying the now defunct Mt. Agassiz ski resort and opening up for business again? I'm from MacGregor originally and we used to drive up and go skiing there all the time back in the day...good memories. Too bad they couldn't stay viable. steve

Word on the street is that the next maintenance release will include a custom made weight that fits over the "enter" key, included in the CD envelope... steve

Looks like the Aussie's just finished hijacking this thread and put it out of it's misery... thanks guys steve

take a look in the axis limit settings. HTH steve

If CNC wasn't planning a fix for verify before, I think we can be somewhat assured that they're thinking about it after this thread...

Ron, ...just a thought off the top of my head but is this an issue related to the signed axis (B-270) being output as a direction rather than position indicator? steve

I'm always amused by the marketing Surfcam and Virtual Gibbs use to extol the benefits of their 3D surfacing toolpaths...a 1/8" ballnose taking a 2" DOC with the standard parallel/lace toolpath. Looks good on the screen, and that's pretty much what the software amounts to as well. Anyway, good luck with Smurfcam. steve

One of the customers I program for has a router with a 0-360 range on the C axis. I've yet to run into a situation where an unwind was required but that's not to say I won't in the future. I ussually just use the "think ahead" method. Version X wish #4526: handle 5 axis machine dynamics and retracts internally so backplot and verify are correct. It'd make post editing a heck of a lot simpler as well! steve

Does Haas still make the VB1? I haven't been able to find it on their website. steve

I think PhilCott nailed this one down. The only way a square could be produced using this method is with a ballnose or using an endmill and 4 axis rotary surfacing in the Multiax toolpaths.

fastercam and anyone else frustrated with Mcam, The bottom line when considering any kind of investment, whether Mastercam or machining center, is ROI (and if you don't what that means you probably don't need to). I paid for Mill 3 and Design out of my own pocket and it has been paying for itself and more ever since I purchased it. The fact is, is that for other CAM packages at comparable prices Mastercam provides more bang for the buck. Consider: What is worse, having your computer crash on Mcam while in the middle of a 5 axis verify or, never being able take on high income, continuous 5 axis work because your existing CAM package is limited to indexing only type machining? Yes Mcam crashes, verify needs work, blah, blah, blah...but it's making me money because it provides me with capabilities I wouldn't have using Bibbslam, etc. JM2C, steve

I read an article awhile back about holding odd shaped parts in ice. Sounded farily labour intensive though.

trig, trig and more trig. Sample question: The spindle head is oriented at C155.0 A12.5, the tip of the cutter is located at X-2. Y6.3 Z-.5 and the distance from the cutter tip to spindle head axes intersection is 12". What are the programmed coordinates for this position? ...hire the first guy who says there isn't enough information! steve

Backlash in the ballscrews? Using cutter comp? If the code is correct than it would be a waste of time to look to Mcam for the solution. JM2C steve

Wouldn't it be great if Verify was a rendered version of Backplot with the other goodies attached? I share everyone's pain on this issue. Anyone from CNC listening in? steve

Heat up the holder.

My 2cents would be to replace the rough boring pass with a helical or circle milling pass. Since it's been pre-drilled already, helical milling would provide better tool life because of the constant chip load...and it can be really cranked up on the feedrate too! An endmill with a bit of a corner rad would help it last longer. HTH, steve

thanks chip, I got your email and replied.

Hi y'all, I'm considering the purchase of a Haas GR510 3axis gantry router in the next 4 or 5 months to manufacture large composite, MDF and aluminum moulds and patterns. Like any other small business, $$ is a primary factor that dictates what I purchase so that is my reasoning for looking at this machine. Also, it is one of the few machines on the market that can cut wood and metal within a 5' x 10' working envelope for a starting price of less than $100K. I also like the simplicity of the haas control and the machines are well serviced in our area because it's such a popular brand around here. Is anyone currently using one of these machines or have in the past? Good/bad experiences? Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated. Come to think of it if anyone is trying to sell a good used one, send me an email! steve

Bruce, with CIMCO DNC a mid-program restart works similar to remote request. Basically, you send a remote request that also contains the line number you'd like to start at. CIMCO reads the incoming request, inserts a "program head" code snippet ahead of the line you want to start at (that you customize for each machine) and sends it out to the machine. CIMCO also supports sub-programs during drip feed in a similar manner. It detects an M98 (or whatever you want to specify) in the program it's feeding out to the machine, removes the M98 and replaces it with the actual sub-program. pretty powerful software. steve