I know I am in a different boat as I work in education now and not in production. I can say that I have used Mastercam since they released it on 5 1/4" floppy disks. It has only been 2 days and the students and I have not used all the new functions yet but this update not only went very smooth but the interface is much cleaner and the functions easier to manage and navigate. When I saw that 8 was released my initial thought was "Oh boy here we go again" So far I am all right with it. Currently we are teaching NX and Cimatron as well as Mastercam. When the students saw X8 yesterday there were many comments like."That looks like what (NX or Cimatron) has been doing for a while now. So far...so good!

Multiple choice.

Is the posted file image the actual way it is posting out or has it been edited?

We are trying to force the start of a simple rotary tool path from the outside of the part and work our way in. For some reason everything we have tried does not work. It is defaulting to start in the middle of the part and work its way out. The first cut this way would be a killer. I am sure this is a simple fix. Ideas? Thanks Tom

Iceman, There is a model on the ftp under X5 files. If you cannot get it let me know. We have the same exact one at school and like others have said, we limit movement by using Misc Values Tom

I had to replace the nethasp.ini file in the X7 folder then rerun the Nethasp utility. All is good now. GCode. Yes it is an educational nethasp. I wonder if that makes a difference? Thanks Tom

Just updated one computer and now it says No SIM. Running nethasp. X6 reads it and opens on the same computer. Ideas?

Tim, You hit it on the head! Thanks! My mind will be clear for a long weekend up in Wells Beach ME (not that it is going to be beach weather around here!) I took all the Z values out in the Mastercam linking parameters and POOF. Got just what I was looking for. I only have one now at the very end that does not seem to matter. One little renegade N50; line number that I need to get out of there. That should be easy. Tom

Jim, He did send me the post and I fiddled with it until I got to this point. Now I am stuck in mud. I think I have been looking at it too long. Tom

Colin, I tried that and the nothing at all was posted and I got a ton of errors. Tim, It is a EMX control 2 axis fairly new as we received the machines just a couple of months ago. The post does not give you the .CAM code. It gives out .MX2 code. I downloaded files both CAM and MX2 from programs on the machine and the post we used gives us code very close to it except for the darn SET NEW Z lines. I was thinking it may be something with MISC values in Mastercam but I changed those and nothing happened. Tom

Hi all, I am hoping someone here can help with a problem with code for a Prototrak. I am not sure if it is something I am doing inside Mastercam or a post problem. The code is posted like this: PN8512 G20; G130 X+0.0000 Y+0.0000; G131 XM0.0000 XN0.0000 YM0.0000 YN0.0000 ST=00000; N50; N60 ( SET NEW Z! ); ; N70 ( SET NEW Z! ); ; N80 ( SET NEW Z! ); ; N90 G101 XB-1.2500A YB+0.4871A XE-0.7500A YE+0.4871A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N100 G103 XB-0.7500A YB+0.4871A XE-0.2500A YE+0.9871A XC-0.7500A YC+0.9871A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N110 G101 XB-0.2500A YB+0.9871A XE-0.2500A YE+1.9741A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N120 G102 XB-0.2500A YB+1.9741A XE+0.0000A YE+2.2241A XC+0.0000A YC+1.9741A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N130 G101 XB+0.0000A YB+2.2241A XE+3.0615A YE+2.2241A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N140 G102 XB+3.0615A YB+2.2241A XE+3.3115A YE+1.9741A XC+3.0615A YC+1.9741A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N150 G101 XB+3.3115A YB+1.9741A XE+3.3115A YE+0.0000A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N160 G102 XB+3.3115A YB+0.0000A XE+3.0615A YE-0.2500A XC+3.0615A YC+0.0000A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N170 G101 XB+3.0615A YB-0.2500A XE+0.0000A YE-0.2500A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N180 G102 XB+0.0000A YB-0.2500A XE-0.2500A YE+0.0000A XC+0.0000A YC+0.0000A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N190 G101 XB-0.2500A YB+0.0000A XE-0.2500A YE+0.9871A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N200 G103 XB-0.2500A YB+0.9871A XE-0.7500A YE+1.4871A XC-0.7500A YC+0.9871A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N210 G101 XB-0.7500A YB+1.4871A XE-1.2500A YE+1.4871A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N220 ( SET NEW Z! ); ; N230 ( SET NEW Z! ); ; % It will not load with the ( SET NEW Z! ) lines. If I take them out in the editor to look like this it loads great PN8512 G20; G130 X+0.0000 Y+0.0000; G131 XM0.0000 XN0.0000 YM0.0000 YN0.0000 ST=00000; N90 G101 XB-1.2500A YB+0.4871A XE-0.7500A YE+0.4871A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N100 G103 XB-0.7500A YB+0.4871A XE-0.2500A YE+0.9871A XC-0.7500A YC+0.9871A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N110 G101 XB-0.2500A YB+0.9871A XE-0.2500A YE+1.9741A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N120 G102 XB-0.2500A YB+1.9741A XE+0.0000A YE+2.2241A XC+0.0000A YC+1.9741A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N130 G101 XB+0.0000A YB+2.2241A XE+3.0615A YE+2.2241A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N140 G102 XB+3.0615A YB+2.2241A XE+3.3115A YE+1.9741A XC+3.0615A YC+1.9741A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N150 G101 XB+3.3115A YB+1.9741A XE+3.3115A YE+0.0000A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N160 G102 XB+3.3115A YB+0.0000A XE+3.0615A YE-0.2500A XC+3.0615A YC+0.0000A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N170 G101 XB+3.0615A YB-0.2500A XE+0.0000A YE-0.2500A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N180 G102 XB+0.0000A YB-0.2500A XE-0.2500A YE+0.0000A XC+0.0000A YC+0.0000A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N190 G101 XB-0.2500A YB+0.0000A XE-0.2500A YE+0.9871A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N200 G103 XB-0.2500A YB+0.9871A XE-0.7500A YE+1.4871A XC-0.7500A YC+0.9871A F10. TC0 D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; N210 G101 XB-0.7500A YB+1.4871A XE-1.2500A YE+1.4871A TC0 F10. D0.5000 CR0.0 T1; % I have edited the post to include the G130 and G131 lines as that was a problem at first as well. I know it is not that big of a deal taking those lines out but when you are working with high school students it presents a small problem trying to explain why they have to take the extra steps. We are not to the point yet of working with posts so for the younger kids it would be a mess. The post is below. I see where it is getting the SET NEW Z! but I have no idea why it is doing it. Thanks, Tom | FEATURES: | # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # #Canned text: # Entering cantext on a contour point from within Mastercam allows the # following functions to enable/disable. # Cantext value: # 1 = Stop = output the "M00" stop code # 2 = Ostop = output the "M01" optional stop code # # # NOTE: # # Even though this is a 2 axis post enter a depth and rapid height when # programming pockets and 2D contours. # # At the beginning of the program it needs a program number. The name # of the program (use a number) will be the program number at the start # of file. This will allow for a progno up to 8 char. long. # # Example: # # Name of program 12345678.MX2 # # PN 12345678 G20; # # Program must have a MX2 extension for machine to accept it. (12345678.MX2) # sextnc$ : "MX2" # NC gocde output file will have this file extension # # END_HEADER$ # # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # DEBUG - Switches for debugging purposes # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fastmode$ : yes$ # Enable Quick Post Processing, set to no for debug bug1$ : 1 # 0=No display, 1=Generic list box, 2=Editor bug2$ : 0 # Add postline label to each line at column 'bug2' bug3$ : 0 # Add whatline to each line? yes/no bug4$ : 0 # Add -.nci line number to each line? yes/no whatno$ : yes$ # Ignore whatline branches to plin1 etc.? (leave as yes) linktolvar$ : 1 #Associate X tolerance variables to V9- variable? linkplnvar$ : 1 #Associate X plane specific variables to V9- variable? cant_tlchng$ : 1 #Ignore cantext entry on move with tlchng_aft? newglobal$ : 0 #Enable error checking for global variables? # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Format Statements - i=incr, n=nonmodal, l=leave ldg, t=leave trlg, d=delta # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fs 1 +1.4ltn fs 2 1.4ltn fs 3 0 4 fs 4 1 0ltn fs 5 1.1ltn fs 6 2 0ltn fs 7 4 0n fs 8 1.4ltni fs 9 1.4lt fs 10 1 0n fs 11 4.1n # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Format Assignments # fmt X 1 x - x, y, z, i, j, k, xh, yh, zh, xr, yr, zr # are init. fs 1, with 'normal' prefix letter # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Axis output formats - Linear # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt "XE" 1 x$ # X Axis Pos fmt "YE" 1 y$ # Y Axis Pos fmt "X" 1 xd # X Axis Drill Pos fmt "Y" 1 yd # Y Axis Drill Pos fmt "XB" 1 xb # X Rapid Pos fmt "YB" 1 yb # Y Rapid Pos fmt "XE" 1 xe # X Axis end position fmt "YE" 1 ye # Y Axis end position fmt "X" 1 xr$ # X Rapid Pos fmt "Y" 1 yr$ # Y Rapid Pos # ------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Axis output formats - Circular # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt "I" 1 i$ # Arc center description in X fmt "J" 1 j$ # Arc center description in Y fmt "K" 1 k$ # Arc center description in Z fmt "XC" 1 xc$ # Arc Center X fmt "YC" 1 yc$ # Arc Center Y fmt "R" 9 arcrad$ # Arc Radius fmt "D" 9 arcdia # Arc Diameter fmt 1 sweep$ # Angle between start and end of arc # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Program & Sequence number format # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt "PN" 10 progno$ # Program number fmt "N" 7 seqno$ # Starting Sequence Number fmt "N" 7 seqinc$ # Sequence Number Increment fmt "N" 7 n$ # Main Program Sequence Number # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Tool format # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt "T" 4 t$ # Tool Number fmt "T" 4 first_tool$ # First Tool Used (bldnxtool: yes) fmt "T" 4 next_tool$ # Next Tool Used (bldnxtool: yes) fmt "D" 9 tldia$ # Tool Diameter fmt 9 tlrad$ # Tool Radius fmt 9 trflat$ # Tool Flat Radius fmt 9 tcr$ # Tool Corner Radius fmt "H" 4 tlngno$ # Length Offset Number fmt 1 tlplnno$ # Tool Plane Number # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Spindle Speeds & Feedrate output formats # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt "S" 3 ss$ # Spindle Speed fmt "F" 11 fr$ # Feedrate fmt "F" 11 hfr # hold actual feed rate until change occurs # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Cutter Comp formats # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt "G" 3 ccomp$ # Modal format for ccomp fmt "M" 3 cc$ # Cutter Comp. # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Miscellaneous output formats # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt 5 plane$ # Modal plane code selector fmt "M" 4 sscode # Spindle Speed Code (M59 - M77 from tbl 1) fmt 10 gcode$ # Format linear G-code selector for modality only fmt 3 coolant$ # Format coolant M-code selector for modality only fmt "M" 10 cantext$ # Canned text # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Drill variable formats # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt 1 drillcyc$ # drillcyc = 0..7 fmt 1 drillcur$ # Drill with current cycle flag (=1 if true) fmt 4 drillref # Initial / Reference Toggle (G98/G99) fmt "P" 2 dwell$ # Dwell fmt 10 crtest # working modifiable variable # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Formulas - Use ':' instead of '=' to initialize variables # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- scalex$ : 1. # Scaling of .NCI at input - x,y,z,i,j,k scaley$ : 1. # Scaling of .NCI at input - x,y,z,i,j,k scalez$ : 1. # Scaling of .NCI at input - x,y,z,i,j,k rotary : no$ # Use rotary axis subprg$ : no$ # Open Sub Program File auxprg$ : no$ # Open Aux Program File bldnxtool$ : yes$ # Build next tool table skipmotest$ : no$ # Skip motion test in linear tooltable$ : 0 # Output tool table 0=no, 1=before header, 2=after header plane$ : 0 # Initialize plane code to suppress first G17 getnextop$ : yes$ # nextop will hold the next op-code (gcode) spaces$ : 0 # Number of spaces to add between fields nobrk$ : 2 # omit breakup of x/y & z rapid moves omitcrlf$ : no$ # Omit CR/LF- Used for floppy output of - .NC files omitrefht : no$ # Don't use reference height on first non-canned Z move seqmax$ : 9999 # Max. sequence number omitseq$ : no$ # Omit sequence numbers? frrapid : 300 # Rapid feedrate? 300.0 frmax : 300 # Maximum feedrate? 300.0 ssmax : 3000 # Maximum spindle speed? 3000 breakarcs$ : 1 # Break arcs, 0 = no, 1 = quadrants, 2 = 180deg. max arcs arctype$ : 1 # Arc center 1=abs, 2=St-Ctr, 3=Ctr-St, 4=unsigned inc. do_full_arc$ : 0 # Allow full circle output? 0=no, 1=yes helix_arc$ : 0 # Support helix arc output, 0=no, 1=all planes, 2=XY plane only arccheck$ : 1 # Check for small arcs, convert to linear ltol$ : 0.002 # Length tolerance for arccheck ncldr$ : 20 # Number of leader characters ldrcode$ : 65 # Leader character dec. equiv. compsav : 0 progname$ : 1 #Use uppercase for program name (sprogname) # Global formulas arcdia = arcrad$ * 2 #Cantext string definitions (spaces must be padded here) sm00 : "M00" sm01 : "M01" strm : "M" strtextno : "" strcantext : "" sblank : "" # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # USE CANNED CYCLES? # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- usecandrill$ : yes$ # Use canned cycle for Drill usecanpeck$ : yes$ # Use canned cycle for Peck usecanchip$ : yes$ # Use canned cycle for Chip Break usecantap$ : yes$ # Use canned cycle for Tap usecanbore1$ : yes$ # Use canned cycle for Bore1 usecanbore2$ : yes$ # Use canned cycle for Bore2 usecanmisc1$ : no$ # Use canned cycle for Misc1 usecanmisc2$ : no$ # Use canned cycle for Misc2 skp_lead_flgs$ : 1 # Do NOT use v9 style contour flags get_1004$ : 1 # Find gcode 1004 with getnextop? rpd_typ_v7$ : 1 # Use Version 7 style contour flags? strtool_v7$ : 2 # Use Version 7 toolname? # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Strings - String labels must start with 's' - they are not pre-assigned # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Select operation note sop00 : "NULL" # String definition sop01 : "CONTOUR" # " " sop02 : "CONTOUR" # " " sop03 : "DRILL/MISC" # " " sop04 : "POCKET...." # " " sop05 : "RULED....." # " " sop06 : "2D-SWEPT.." # " " sop07 : "3D-SWEPT.." # " " sop08 : "REVOLVED.." # " " sop09 : "LOFT......" # " " sop10 : "COONS....." # " " sop11 : "FILLET...." # " " sop12 : "FLOWLINE.." # " " sop13 : "M.FINISH.." # " " sop14 : "M.ROUGH..." # " " sop15 : "POINT....." # " " sop16 : "DRILL5AX.." # " " sop17 : "CURVE5AX.." # " " sop18 : "OP18......" # " " sop19 : "OP19......" # " " sop20 : "OP20......" # " " sopnote : "" # Target string fstrsel sop00 opcode$ sopnote 21 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Select motion G code string sG0 : "G100" # Linear movement at rapid feedrate G code sg01 : "G101" # Linear movement at feedrate G code sg02 : "G102" # Circular interpolation CW G code sg03 : "G103" # Circular interpolation CCW G code sgcode : "" # Target string for linear/circular motion G code fstrsel sG0 gcode$ sgcode 4 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Coolant code select string sm09 : "M09" # Coolant off sm08 : "M08" # Coolant on - Flood sm07 : "M08" # Coolant on - Mist sm06 : "M08" # Coolant on - Tool smcool : "" # Coolant code target string fstrsel sm09 coolant$ smcool 4 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Spindle code string select sm04 : "M04" # Spindle reverse - no coolant sm05 : "M05" # Spindle off - no coolant sm03 : "M03" # Spindle forward - no coolant sm04f : "M04" # Spindle reverse - with coolant - Flood sm05f : "M05" # Spindle off - with coolant "" sm03f : "M03" # Spindle forward - with coolant "" sm04m : "M04" # Spindle reverse - with coolant - Mist sm05m : "M05" # Spindle off - with coolant "" sm03m : "M03" # Spindle forward - with coolant "" sm04t : "M04" # Spindle reverse - with coolant - Tool sm05t : "M05" # Spindle off - with coolant "" sm03t : "M03" # Spindle forward - with coolant "" spdlon : "" # Target Spindle-on M-string spdlsel = coolant$ * 3 + fsg3(ss$) # Spindle on selector based on # coolant - 0 = off, 1 = Flood, 2 = Mist, 3 = Tool fstrsel sm04 spdlsel spdlon 12 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Cutter compensation string select scc0 : "" # cutter compensation state not changed sg40 : "G40" # cancel cutter compensation sg41 : "G41" # cutter compensation left sg42 : "G42" # cutter compensation right sg140 : "G40" # last linear move --> cancel cutter comp # Note: Reversal of sg40 = "" & sg140 = "G40" cancels comp # with last linear move sccomp : "" # Select cutter compensation fstrsel scc0 ccomp$ sccomp 5 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Select work plane G code sg16 : "" sg17 : "G17" # XY plane code sg19 : "G19" # XZ plane code sg18 : "G18" # YZ plane code sgplane : "" # Workplane G code fstrsel sg16 plane$ sgplane 4 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Canned drill cycle G string select sg81 : "G81" # drill - no dwell sg82 : "G82" # drill - with dwell sg83 : "G83" # peck drill - no dwell sg83d : "G83" # peck drill - with dwell sg73 : "G73" # chip break - no dwell sg73d : "G73" # chip break - with dwell sg84 : "G84" # tap sg84d : "G84" # tap # must be here for selector to work sg85 : "G85" # bore #1 - no dwell sg89 : "G89" # bore #1 - with dwell sg86 : "G86" # bore #2 - no dwell sg86d : "G86" # bore #2 - with dwell sgm1 : "G81" # misc #1 - no dwell sgm1d : "G82" # misc #1 - with dwell sgm2 : "G81" # misc #2 - no dwell sgm2d : "G82" # misc #2 - with dwell sgdrill : "" # Target drill cycle G code drlgsel = (drillcyc$ * 2) + fsg2(dwell$) # 16 possible combinations: # drillcyc = 0..7 # dwell = 0 or non-zero (2 states) fstrsel sg81 drlgsel sgdrill 16 -1 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # User-defined Postline labels starting with 'p' # End a line with ',' to continue on the next line # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pyequal # prv_x = x already tested if yb = y$, ex$ pequal # test for equality of prev and curr x/y if xb = x$, pyequal pijk # Force Plane Change "I, J, K" Values if plane$ = 0, *i$, *j$, k$ if plane$ = 1, i$, *j$, *k$ if plane$ = 2, *i$, j$, *k$ pinit # Initialize Vars prv_fr$ = 999.999 prv_frplunge$ = 999.999 pcomment$ # Manual Entry - COMMENTS (on a block by itself) 1005,1006 # "comment string" is passed to .PST in 'scomm' n$, " (", scomm$, ")", e$ pccomp # Cuter comp output if ccomp$ = 4 , !ccomp$ if compsav = 0, "TC0" if compsav = 3, "TC1" if compsav = 2, "TC2" pfr # Feedrate W/O Negative Feedrates hfr = fr_pos$ *hfr pcoolon # Coolant on if coolant$ > 0, smcool, !coolant$ pcooloff # Coolant off if prv_coolant$ > 0, sm09 prv_coolant$ = 0 psg00 # Output "G0" via String Select Function to maintain modality *sgcode # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Postline - Names are pre-assigned except for partial lines which are # called from pre-assigned lines (Ex. pt) # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pheader$ # File header # "%" eob$ = 59 "PN", sprogname$, " G20", e$ "G130 X+0.0000 Y+0.0000" , e$ "G131 XM0.0000 XN0.0000 YM0.0000 YN0.0000 ST=00000" , e$ psof0$ # Start of file for tool zero psof$ # Start of file for non-zero tool number pinit pcan pcan1, n$, strcantext, e$ pcan2 compsav = ccomp$ ptlchg0$ # Null tool change compsav = ccomp$ pcan ptlchg$ # Tool change compsav = ccomp$ pcan pcan1, n$, strcantext, e$ pcan2 peof0$ # End of file for tool zero peof$ peof$ # End of file for non-zero tool eob$ = 0 "%", e$ # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Axis Motion Definition Section # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- prapid$ # Rest xb - yb !x$, !y$ xb = xr$ yb = yr$ pendcomm # End of pass comment n$, " ( SET NEW Z! )", e$ plincrop0 # Output last move if next nextop = 0 pcan1, n$, " ", *sgcode, " ", xb, "A ", yb, "A ", x$, "A ", y$, "A ", pccomp, " ", pfr, " ", *tldia$, " CR-0.0 ", strcantext, t$, e$ pendcomm !ccomp$ plincrop # Output cr and cr- depending on start of toolpath pequal if nextop$ > 999, pcan1, n$, " ", *sgcode, " ", xb, "A ", yb, "A ", x$, "A ", y$, "A ", pccomp, " ", pfr, " ", *tldia$, " CR-0.0 ", strcantext, t$, e$ if nextop$ > 999, pendcomm if nextop$ < 1000, pcan1, n$, " ", *sgcode, " ", xb, "A ", yb, "A ", x$, "A ", y$, "A ", pccomp, " ", pfr, " ", *tldia$, " CR0.0 ", strcantext, t$, e$ xb = prv_x$ yb = prv_y$ plinout # Output proper code for conditions if nextop$ = 0, plincrop0 if nextop$ <> 0, plincrop plinm # Linear line movement - at feedrate pcan xb = prv_x$ yb = prv_y$ if opcode$ = 4, tldia$ = 0 if crtest = 0, plinout crtest = 0 pcan2 plin$ # Linear line movement - at feedrate plinm pz$ # Linear movement in Z axis only - at feedrate if motst$ = 4, pendcomm,e$ !z$ pzrapid$ # Linear movement in Z axis only - at rapid if motst$ = 4, pendcomm,e$ !z$ pcircrop0 # Output last move if nextop = 0 pcan1, n$, " ", *sgcode, " ", xb, "A ", yb, "A ", x$, "A ", y$, "A ", xc$, "A ", yc$, "A ", pfr, " ", pccomp, " ", *tldia$, " CR-0.0 ", strcantext, t$,e$ pendcomm !ccomp$ pcircrop # Output normal arc or cr- depending on opcode > 999 if nextop$ > 999, pcan1, n$, " ", sgcode, " ", xb, "A ", yb, "A ", x$, "A ", y$, "A ", xc$, "A ", yc$, "A ", pfr, " ", pccomp, " ", *tldia$, " CR-0.0 ", strcantext, t$, e$ if nextop$ > 999, pendcomm if nextop$ < 1000, pcan1, n$, " ", sgcode, " ", xb, "A ", yb, "A ", x$, "A ", y$, "A ", xc$, "A ", yc$, "A ", pfr, " ", pccomp, " ", *tldia$, " CR0.0 ", strcantext, t$, e$ pcirout # Output proper code for conditions if nextop$ = 0, pcircrop0 if nextop$ <> 0, pcircrop pcirm # Circular interpolation pcan xb = prv_x$ yb = prv_y$ if opcode$ = 4, tldia$ = 0 if crtest = 0, pcirout crtest = 0 pcan2 pcir$ # Circular interpolation pcirm

I have completed the certification course and thought it was really well done. I also use this as an additional teaching aid along with the In House Curriculum. Both of them together provide a real solid learning experience for my students. We are also going to add CAM Instructor modules next fall.

Boatguy, I teach Mastercam to high school students. I took the MastercamU certification a few years back and thought it was awesome. Many little things that I never knew popped up. I actually started with X4 and have taken each certification class for every upgrade (X5 and now X6) The classes themselves have not changed that much throughout the years but I am always picking up something new. I totally agree with Aaron and Jay about the basics as well. I have also done the Lathe and Multi Axis courses and loved them as well. Tom

Here at school, seniors do presentations on parts that were programmed and cut. We use Windows Media Encoder to show the verification. Has always worked great. There is some good editing stuff as well. http://www.microsoft...s.aspx?id=17792

I am a little unsure as to what you want to do. If you are looking to get rid of the gnomon in the lower left corner go to Settings, Screen and uncheck Display viewport XYZ axis. Tom

I am not sure as I have never seen that error but you might want to check your arc settings in the control definition. Helix support and Support arcs in XZ and YZ. Could be a place to start. Tom

Scott, We have a VF-2 with a TR160 table. It was very tricky to get the thing setup to maximize the amount of travel, get it in a position to make a tool change without smashing something and putting the probe in a spot where it would not get hit. We looked at that fixture you have. It come from a company called 5th Axis CNC. They have a shop out in San Diego that does 5 axis work as well as sells the work holding devices. I am not quite sure if I remember the price but I think it was around $320 for the 2 x 2. I think the base was extra. It is very close to that of the Raptor. One of our advisory board members liked the Raptor so that is why we purchased it. I don't know why you cannot get the full 90 degrees of travel. Is this just from a manual move or a program that was posted out? We are now off for the summer but I will take a trip down to school to check on those parameters to limit travel. You can also control this in Mastercam itself. As far as the movement goes and not holding position that really sounds like a Haas problem. When we first had ours setup the tech said we would have to offset the A by 1.439 degrees because when it was on A0 it was not indicating flat. Eventually we got it in the correct position with a call into support. Tom

We bought it. There was a fairly good discount on the fixture and base plate. I must say that since buying it we have been able to do a whole lot more a LOT easier than the chuck we were using before.

Jay, We have had a Haas 5 axis trunnion for about a two years now. We really just got into it as a full five axis in the last 6 months. Kind of tricky to get at first but we are doing pretty good with it now. We finally purchased all of the "right" tooling and work holding pieces to go with it. It really helped getting a Raptor fixture. For Open House this year we 3D scanned a model of a human head brought it into Solidworks and cut it with Mastercam X5. All of the machine simulation and verification was perfect but when we cut it the tool dove into the part near one of the ears. It was still a great toolpath that got a lot of wow's. I also have created a model of the Raptor and the MCX of the head is up on the FTP. I forgot what I named it though possibly Cyberhead. Dan Newby also has the file as he is looking into the "dive". Tom McCann Tech North Adams, MA

Thanks Jay, I cut the thing today. I will post a picture later. I was a little disappointed as everything in machine simulation looked correct, everything in verify looked correct, it was cutting perfect and then ZOOM! While it was making a cut around one of the ears the cutter dove into the part. There was nothing like that in simulation or verify so now I am perplexed as to what the heck went wrong. I will lose sleep tonight! This has been a great learning process for me. I thought I finally had it and the it dove. Oh well. Maybe it was something with the post. Tom

I have drawn up a model of the Raptor-001 fixture, the RWP -203 base for a Haas 160 Trunnion and the clamps for the fixture. There is an assembly as well. If anyone would like them I have them drawn in X5 but would be happy to save them in earlier versions if antone needs them. Thanks to everyone who has helped out in this project. The model of the head is up on the ftp site saved as an MCX-5 file named cyberhead. I could not delete the zip2go file but do not use that as there could be holes in the model. Tom

Jay, Thanks for that picture. If you could send me those models it would be a big help. We have thr RWP-001 fixture and the RWP-203 base. The drawing you posted really helped me almost understand this. So basically you moved the model in mastercam the distance that the A axis rotation is off? In my case it would be .132. On the machine would I subtract that number from the Z offset as well? Thanks again Tom

I indicated with the A axis at 90 and -90. The number came out to .264. I took 1/2 of that to get the number .132. In the Haas trunnion manual it has a drawing that shows the point of rotation above the table not below. The drawing I have in mastercam has the origin at XYZ zero and then the head is located up from there about 4.75 to the bottom (neck area) and 7.5 to the top of the head. The area from XYZ zero to 4.75 represents where the Raptor is. I was thinking that I should match on the machine exactly what I have in the mastercam drawing as the origin. Meaning that I would indicate the hole in the center of the rotary and set the Z offset to the top of the table. This point of rotation being off .132 is really screwing my thinking up. I have programmed, setup and operated CNC since the paper tape days and this is just blowing my mind. Am I on the right track here or should I subract/add the .132 to my Z offset? There really is not anyone in our local area that can answer any of this for me. I appreciate any help I could get from the board here. Tom

After a long weekend of working on this I finally have it. Everything looks very good in machine simulation. We have a Raptor work holding fixture. The result on the machine was not so good. I was reading the Haas manual and there was something about having to offset the Y axis. I used an indicator at A90 and A-90 recorded the difference and divided by 2. I moved the Y axis this amount and set 0. The Z offset was set off the top of the table at A0. I think I did something wrong as a lot of the features of the head (like the ears and eyes came out really bad. So the problem lies two fold. 1. This is the first time we have done anything using full 5 axis and we really do not know exactly what the heck we are doing and 2. We think the problem lies with the Z and Y offsets not in sync with each other. Can anyone provide me with a little overview of how these trunnions actually work as far as setting x,y zero and setting the z offset? I think I am going to try just indicating the rotary x, y zero and keeping the z offset of the top of the rotary and not offsetting anything. Thanks Tom

Thanks, I did not make it that far down the tree:) There are a lot of things before that for sure. I did try it. It still looks like it is going negative though in machine simulation. I have tried both 1 and 2 in that spot and it does nothing to the direction of the a axis. It always swings to the negative. The only thing I have found that changes that is the cut tolerance in the surface quality which makes no sense to me. Being new at this stuff is not easy:) Tom