...try this again... Anyone have any experience importing rhino files directly into Mcam 9.1 SP2? I have a new customer who uses rhino and I need to make some tooling for them relatively soon. I downloaded the rhino evaluation version and tried importing a simple surface into mastercam and came up empty handed. Is the evaluation version to blame for this? I noticed it won't export any other file format than .rm3 Any suggestions? steve

Anyone have any experience importing rhino files directly into Mcam 9.1 SP2? I have a new customer who uses rhino and I need to make some tooling for them relatively soon. I downloaded the rhino evaluation version and tried importing a simple Is the evaluation version to blame for this? I noticed it won't export any other file format than .rm3 Any suggestions? steve

Millman^Crazy, I currently have pang_output and sang_output set to 1 so the post will (correctly) output W-0.0, for example, to perform a ccw rotation to 0 on the C axis. Unfortunately this is the only situation where the machine won't index in the correct direction but always defaults to positive rotation when it reads a zero index position, regardless of the signed address (it even specifies this in the manual). I tried a few things without luck and after thinking about it some more, realized a simple line of logic in the pmx0 postblock would solve the issue. I think this would need a fix right at the source of the code since signed angle output is generated in the psb. thanks for the suggestion though, steve

After alot of work on the Generic 5axis Fanuc post I'll leave these tips for anyone interested: For safe retracts I've found that using limits instead of job setup stock values for retract output calculations works better. Set x and y limits to a value equal to the stock dimensions plus half the toollength amount and use an incremental retract amount in the operations that isn't too big. Set z- limit to 0.0 (or top of stock) and z+ limit to an amount greater than toollength. It's a pain to reset limits for each job but it's the only way I've found of getting good retract clearance for head/head type machines. Spending time looking at the windup limits, axis assignments and signed output variables pays off but what really pays is spending time understanding the machine motion. One of the biggest problems I ran into was solved by simply hardcoding a rotary axis index to zero at program head before any motion began and everything worked after that. The only bug I need to deal with is changing rotary -0.0 output to -360.0 but I might have to deal with it 'cuz I think the solution is buried deep in the .psb file. HTH, steve

Now that all the dust is settled, I think I'll go checkout the MCU website. I don't remember what I did way back when, but MCU Light isn't installed on my Mcam. steve

thanks for the replies. I guess I'll have to just keep hacking away until I come up with something resembling success. steve

Hi, post guru's. I'm in the process of modifying the MPGEN5X_FANUC.pst file for a customer's five axis router and acctually have working code being output right now. I have two questions some of you out there may be able/willing to help me with and any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting less than desirable results by using the job setup stock values (plus an increment) to set the axis travel limits that are used to calculate retracts between operations. I like using the limits variables (up_x_lin_lim, etc..) but would also like to be able to write the limits values calculated from stock dimensions yet keep a lower z limit (lw_z_lin_lim) of 0.0, and an upper z limit (up_z_lin_lim) of 6.0 or greater. I've tried creating a formula but get errors in the post saying something to the effect that the result of a global formula cannot be used in a postline formula. I'd also like to find a way to change -0. rotary ouptut to a value of -360. The rotary axes on this machine don't recognize minus (ccw) rotation direction if the output is to zero degrees and it creates a situation where the machine is running onto it's rotary limits even though the windup calculations in the post are working fine. Anybody? thanks in advance, steve

quote: The settings you have should not convert arcs to arcs and lines except for very short arc segments, which might be interpreted as 360 degree arcs by your control if they were not converted. Christian...this is exactly what has been happening lately with one of my customers. Arc segments with start and end point value differences of .0001" are creating full arcs (and part damage) in the control. What's the fix? thanks for any help, steve

Bill, I think getting the facts and establishing reliable sources are really beside the point now. The fact that the only other place you could find information on this story was on Al-Jezeer is enough to know that this story, wether reliable or not, has created near irreparable damage in the Arab world. They are not and will not be interested in some long drawn out proceedings to bring these apparant perpetrators to justice after another long drawn out process to establish the facts. Terrorists and criminals do not use rational logic to "wait and see" what the facts are before acting...this is just more fuel for the fire. my2c steve

If you're drip feeding, the baud rate is probably too low. steve

Anyone recognize this tune? :G17G70G90M26 (MSG, SING ALONG) :10 G0G17G70G90G94T1M6 G0X0.Y0. M9 ; PREVENTS MOUTH FULL OF COOLANT G4P20S5000M3 G4P5S100M3 G4P22S23000M3 G4P52S100M3 G4P15S4000M3 G4P12S500M3 G4P300S3700M3 ; HOLD LAST NOTE M5 M26 G28P4 M2 ...I just got off the phone with CNC Software and they're planning to release a new chook with version X to convert .mp3 files into NC code (post processor not included)... steve

RStuart, You can use Cimco to drip feed to any control, just takes a little homework. If I recall, Okuma's require that the cable is wired differently than a standard Fanuc rs232. Contact your dealer through their website: www.cimco-integration.com and they can get you up and running. If you'd like to make your own cable there is documentation on the cimco website I believe with wiring diagrams of RS232 cables in standard configurations. HTH, steve

...thanks for the heads up Ken. I think I'll hold off on installing the march update.

quote: So james it was not your programming after all. On that note... I've just finished two weeks of trying to diagnose a gouging issue in programs I sent to one of my customers (and dealing with the scarred reputation) only to have him tell me today that the first time it gouged (two and half weeks ago) the control went ape $hit from extra characters added in the program because of poor transmission problems (fluctuating power to the machine as it turns out). He even admitted to knowing about it becuase he compared the code on the control to the program I emailed him but chose not to mention it and instead told me to "...check your programming because it gouged one of my moulds...". He's going to pay...literally. steve

This guy's going to get 1,000,000 hits before this is done...and maybe the full price of the dress.

quote: ...with an Acramatic 850SX control...I think I just found your problem. I don't mean to be a smart@$$, but I've been programming an Acramatic 2100 for the last couple years and we seem to spend more time restarting it to get the control back to normal than acctually cutting chips. Unfortunately I can't be of much help but I can sympathize. steve

mechman01, you have the right idea using surface rough pocket for roughing out your moulds, that toolpath works for 95% of roughing applications. You may be allowing too much stock for finishing, try leaving .03" with smaller stepdowns so the cusps don't show up as much during finishing cuts. For finishing, there are some basic rules of thumb I follow for complex parts: steep walls = contour fillets = flowline flat sloped surfaces = parallel convoluted surfaces = scallop flat floors = 2D pocket cavities = cut inside to outside cores = cut outside to inside One trick I've used occasionally for complex surfaces that aren't particularily steep is to create a 2D pocket spiral toolpath from a chain defining the perimeter of the surfaces and then useing "surface finish project" to create a path similar to scallop except without the little stepover to keep constant load on the cutter...works pretty slick (similar to Delcam's "constant spiral offset" finishing toolpath if you know anything about the competition). HTH, steve

quote: Ever try to hit something coming at you at 90+ MPH ... and only having 60' 6" to react? ...I played fastball (windmill pitching) all through high school where a 75 mph ball is pitched from 50'. The reaction time is the same and it isn't really that difficult, so...I think there are two possibilities: 1) proffesional athletes are overpaid 2) everyone else is underpaid just a thought, steve

...anybody hear why CNC Software dropped the MATTS program. It's too bad if true because they would've had a real edge on the market. steve

I think you guys just about have me sold on Rhino. According to the descriptions it would fit my needs pretty close. I'm going to download the trial version this weekend or as soon as I can find some free time and give it a shot. I have information from a good source that mcam version x will be more compatible with Rhino than previous versions...have to wait and see. Thanks for all the tips, keep 'em coming! steve

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. My best solution may be to get both SW and Rhino as that seems to be the direction alot of people tend to lean. SW has practically become an industry standard for mechanical design but I don't know much about it's surface design capabilities. I have sat through a couple SW demos and it's quite impressive for 90% of the stuff out there but I would also like to see a Rhino demo designing some real crazy surfaces. The reverse engineering tools in Rhino are a real attraction as well. thanks again, steve

Millman, I've seriously considered solidworks in the past and may end up getting it in the future, but for now mcam is adequate for most of my "mechanical" type design. I'll be a little more specific. I'm looking for software that really works well for organic surface design, the real complex stuff involved in reverse engineering, and something with solid modelling as well where it doesn't involve so much of a fight...specifically when it comes to filleting. thanks, steve

Hi guys and gals, I currently own Mill 3 v9.1 and have been doing alot of product design lately and finding Mastercam's stronger areas lie in generating toolpaths not designing. I'm investigating Rhino 3D right now but would like any input on a good, stable industrial design software package. High end stuff like Catia and Pro/E are out of the financial question but any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. steve

I'm with James on this one. If an operator isn't setting up a job on the machine or watching over a fast cycle, they should be setting up the next job "offline". I've always wondered why shops don't invest more in tooling plates, manual pallets, quick change jaws, machine probing and the like so the scheduled jobs could be lined up in a queue waiting to be dropped onto the machine. The initial investment of extra tooling would pay for itself shortly if setup time could be cut in half or better. It's all about "lean". Let the programmers do the programming and the setup guys do the setups kind of thing and they'll both just keep getting better at what they do. MHO, steve

Contrary to what's normally accepted, Cimco DNC-Max can dripfeed subprograms (although in a round about way). When Cimco reads a call to subprogram in the file it is drip-feeding it pulls the sub out of it's directory and immediately begins drip feeding it. The control never acctually sees the call to sub-program since the sub is feed in place of the M98 or whatever the case may be...works pretty slick. Cimco uses the same principal for restarting in the middle of a program. Basically the program is editing behind the scenes before being fed to the control. You might consider a switch in software if the need was there. steve