What kind of communications system are they coming with (rs-232 or ethernet)? And memory, too? I'm interested to see what features they pack on the SS machines, because to get the ethernet on a basic machine they really nail ya (3000$+! ). However you probably really need it on the highspeed machines. Meanwhile NIC cards are going for under 10$.

I recall a little while back there was mention of a post mod to have the coolant turn on (MO8) before the inital rapid/lenght offset Z move (G43 H* Z*). Apparently some machines don't get the coolant flowing for a few seconds (maybe the larger machines with longer distance from pump to nozzle?). Millman, if your running the highspeed SS machines, it sounds like your tool might get into the part before the Haas/Harbor Freight coolant pump gets the juice flowing. ...and you might want to switch that around.

"I've got a GE three-way 50-75-100 soft-white light bulb, and am looking for a good post processor. Can anyone help me?"

quote: Sure..get some coffee, go to the bathroom, make a phone call That's about it for me too. I wish I had another PC right here, to do a little surfing or something while waiting.

+1 Heeler, That's the way I've found translate to work best as well...plus you get that cool little ghost icon! However it's good to be aware that when you backplot it WILL run the source op, (basically by performing the source operation twice on screen- once for the original, once for the transform)...when you post it though it dumps the source op.

I'm waiting to see who here turns out to be......... "the One"

We've got a 2" Iscar plunge mill, used it on a bunch of iron castings. Works great. The insert geo seems very good- material removal up, noise/chatter down. Also have some Mits tools, however IMHO I like the Iscar stuff a bit better. Your right about the Mitsu warranty, can't go wrong with that! Also, our Mitsu reps are a little too much like used car salesmen, while our ISCAR guy is a good ole' machinist.

Actually, I have my little scenerio totally wrong.... Containment still would work fine, I think. The tool would still be "contained" just to your selected surface! DUUUH! I'll keep thinking on this one.. could swear I though of a caveat for containment boundry.. something regarding protecting a z depth.

quote: cmr, I saw your avatar and thought maybe you were from Detroit. Haha! I'm from Buffalo, but have some family in Detroit. Spent a few summers in the motor city, and certainly see my avatar's resemblance to the "urban architecture". Thanks for all the talk in this interesting thread, good for us surface newbies. I have been using check surfaces because it's pretty cut and dry, however will certainly try the containment boundry method. However, say your trying to clean up a little INTERNAL fillet between a wall and a floor. A check surface or depth limit is the only way to prevent gouging the floor. right? Would you NOT recommend using "check" surface, but cut depth limit instead? thx in advance, Murlin The Die Magician

quote: Please ensure that all adjoining surfaces are selected as check surfaces this way Mastercam will avoid them quote: Dont use check surfaces. Pick all adjoining surfaces and use inner and outer boundaries. quote: If you select the adjoining surfaces as drive and use boundries instead of check surfaces, your path will be as smooth as your geometry Could we please talk about this a bit more.. Murlin, so you don't recommend using check surfaces here, but instead generate a containment boundry? Now would that boundry be just the wireframe of the desired surface? Is this a good common practice (no check surfaces), or exclusive to this situation? thx

Thanks for that very valuable tip, Rick. You just "F" the hard disk, install only the OS and required drivers? Makes perfect sense. Any problem tracking down drivers for off-brand components in laptops? thx

When you initiate RAM saver, and the first thing it asks you is if you'd like to delete the duplicate entities. You can select either yes or no (or cancel). For reasons unknown to me (planetary alignment ), I've started using RAM saver more frequently. I believe on occasion that it has helped problem files...especially when I'm experimenting with surface toolpaths and get all sorts of novice-related-toolpath-craziness going on. Anyone else's experiences with RAM saver?

My mother just asked me about these computers too, her employer (an academic institution) is running a purchase program with those exact same units. I'm a bit skeptical of component quality myself, not to mention the 128mb ram... Her Dell laptop was just stolen last week, and is looking for a replacement.. I'm not fond of all that lovely Dell software that they install for you (DellHelp,DellMusic,DellImage,etc..or what ever the DellHell they call that clutter!)..just gimme the dam computer!

Man, we sure got a regular mob-riot going! Guilty until proven otherwise! Welcome to the forum, and check out my new bad a$$ avatar. P.S. You need to be a LICENSED user to earn it.

Screen>next menu>plot If your using your regular desktop printer, make sure you have use of "windows drivers" enabled. Screen >configure>plotter settings

I smell what your steppin' in...rekd!

Thx for the explanation Murlin, I'm going to do some experimenting tonite, when it's not costing me $.

Moral of the story : It's not so bad getting hosed with compressor oil, it might keep you from getting hosed by your fiance!

quote: Whew.........get any of that? NO! Then again I'm just drinking my coffee now. Man Murlin, you've got it down! I always think of incremental as "distance from the selected geometry"....and absolute, as well ABSOLUTE. That logic is from my 2 1/2 axis world. I feel safer using absolute on my surface work, I know exactly how deep the tool will go. So how do "incremental depth adjustments" apply to a surface model? And how do you know to what depth the tool is going to go? Disclaimer: I'm a surface rookie.

Ahhh, I'm in on this question too. I usually go to: cut depths > absolute > select depths. Then I select top and bottom of part, respectivly. I also get seemingly too much "air" cut at the first pass. So Murlin, sounds like you use cut depths > incremental? I like using absolute, being a surface rookie. I however get alot of air cut, too.

I see your in Australia, huh? Here in the states, there seems to be a plethora of good used compressors at auctions. Just saw a 30hp Atlas Copco with like 500 hours go for 3000$. We sunk our $ into a good dryer, and decided to run our old vane compressor into the ground.

P.S. You're probably saying "just use the URL links". However I use Opera for browsing, and it does'nt support the direct log in to the ftp. I open the FTP in a seperate window, and click around a bit for the files.

Thanks for all the tips and tricks, you're very generous with your time and knowledge...and there is ALOT of both here!! On occasion I've missed a few "episodes" here, and had to chase them a bit on the FTP...what about possibly getting your own folder on the FTP for Iskander's "tricks/tips/demo/tutorial" files? Thanks again!

That interesting, what unit is the "size" column denoting? Looks like bytes? or bits?

I think your on the right track with the die grinder...you need some RPM's on those little suckers! Air/Turbine spindle? I think you can get em' for around 500$ for a cheapo from MSC. Probably easier than chucking up a die grinder in a big Jacobs chuck!