i just received from our customer another two files saved in solidworks 2011 as step AP214. Both Mastercam crashes when opening.

I saved two files on http://depositfiles.com/files/mumb23aku password: mastercam One is probably from solidworks 2011, second from Siemens NX 8 I have third from Catia, but it is 300 MB... X6 MU1 and X5 MU1 can open both files without crash. I use 3D-Tool and their Native CAD converter to convert files from step to step. Converted step i opened without any problem in X6 MU2.

After update to X6 MU2 i have problem when opening some .stp files, mastercam crashes.

Please, can you add functio "offset solid" I found it very helpful when creating electrodes. Thanks

today i crashed when zooming via mouse wheel. I have one file, which crash almost every ten operations i made (delta transform, rotate etc)

I hate it too. When i create curve on solid edge and trying to select it, smart cursor has priority to select solid edge NOT curve! AAARGH

is there any way how to turn off trim to solid edge option? thanks

I created my own calculator in openoffice. It has two columns Var 1 (if you know cutting speed and feed per tooth) and Var 2 (just info - known spindle speed and feedrate - calculate feed per tooth etc). So mostly i use VAR 1 colums. Every green box contains value needed for calculation, in red box is calculated value and yellow is just for info. Also contains colums for traslation angular values from decimal to degree:minute:second type. I translated it into english, sorry about wrong terminology. Feel free to use it and if you have any idea about something to add-in let me know. (in original i have also table for calculation cost of graphite stock for electrodes) if you want to conver from metric to inch, you have to edit equations vypocty-eng.zip

I use Inkscape (freeware) for this kind of job. It is fast and easy way to create vectors from scanned image or photo. Than export to dxf and open in Mastercam.

This is quite off topic for this thread, because i have no problem in X5. But sometimes i got critical fault when opening file. And today i got critical fault when doing boolean non associative operation. Both problems are not bounded to file. File is ok and after restart X6 everything is ok (opening file and boolean op. with same solids). I got Vista 64 bit OS.

I have several crashes of X6 last few days. Always in different case : changing to another level -> crash, opening file -> crash, making toolpath -> crash. But if i do the same thing again after restart X6, verything is ok. Weird.

I found some changes made in X6 useless. I think it was better before Toolpath reorganisation, i had only three icon in toolbars for creation HSC toolpath and selection which one toolpath to use i was doing in toolpath dialog window. When i open level manager in X5 it shows on the same place where i close it. In X6 it always open in upper left corner - it is annoying to travel mouse along whole screen to move one window. Can you add "lock toolbar position" option?

I upgraded RAM capacity to 8GB, in settings -> toolpaths -> memory buffering i have 80% but problem is still here. When mastercam use about 3,5 GB of RAM it shows pop up window "out of virtual memory" and crashes.

What is RAM saver? Google says it is software for RAM management. But how can it help me in MC?

I already have solids without history. When i start MC it takes about 110 MB of RAM, after opening file it is about 1GB, and than show begins :-) after few operations with solids (about five copies of solid, 5 translations and 5 rotations) it rapidly increase usage of ram up to 3,5 GB, than it shows error. I have to make only 4 copies, translate them and than restart MC to clean operation history and continue with work. So it looks like it is because of "undo moves" stored in memory.

I have one job, where i have to save many solids in different levels (positions of electrode). Today i have error message: "PK Error code 901 , modeler has run out of virtual memory". I press ctrl alt del to see how much of memory is used and mastercam has about 3 GB of RAM. ( of my 4GB max.). Does mastercam swaps on hard drive or use only RAM? I have to split file in two or buy more RAM... I have Vista 64bit, 4 GB RAM, using X5 MU1 Thanks for reply.

You could create surface that cover hole, on this surface use "surface finish toolpath" and than rest roughing toolpath in normal (non covered) surfaces.

we have 3 axes mill. I have tool in which i can rotate workpiece by 90 degrees, so this is not as big problem as vibrations (it is quite slim), but i ll handle with it. It is not my first time i have to do something like this.

I just did it step by step. EDM operators will not be happy, because there is many rotations and translation (like stretching camel through the eye of a needle) , but it can be made. Next step is how to make electrode. Challenge accepted :-) Thanks for your time.

I did it as you said. I got surface flowlines, but when i select them in two rails surface it is still deformed. All i get is only boudaries represented by curves instead of surfaces. Now i am trying step by sted X-form translations and rotations. It is long distance run...

I have only solids and mill level 3

Hi, i have one job for finishing one wall of turbine canal using EDM. I make model of electrode fitted in turbine canal. My problem is, how to create trajectory of electrode for EDM machine to avoid collision with other walls. I tried create slices of canal, then create swept surface using two rails, but it deform shape of electrode. Can Moldplus or any software handle with this? or have you got any idea how to create it? My last try will be to make several X form translations and visually check for collision. Thanks TURBINE.MCX-5

Pete, can you pm me yourt email, ill send you that file. I tried to open it with Autodesk design review, but i displays only "????".

I have Samsung monitor, so it is only across water, but it cant display it too.

Hi, I got a drawing from Japan and when I opened the dimensions are displayed as nonsense characters. I tried installing Japanese and Chinese keyboard, but with no result. Thanks for help.