No surfaces, just pockets might have to try to figure somethin out with my post...never done anything with it before.

I have a job coming up that is going to require a lot of engraving to be done with a 1/32" endmill in 304 SS. It is going to be 1/32" deep. When I say a lot im talking like 10-12 hrs per part. I have to machine a logo and leave the lettering standing as a boss. I am using a pocket toolpath and chaining the lettering as well so it is left standing. My question is this, I know the tool will not last the entire cycle so what would be the best approach to be able to change a tool in 15-20 min intervals? I really don't want to have to completely re draw everything and break it down into different operations and pockets. Obviously Im going to start by roughing it with a half, then step down but the 1/32" will still be doing a LOT of machining as there are a lot of small spaces to get into. Also, recommendations for tools and feeds and speed would be appreciated.

This could have something to do with it. I'll have to check tomorrow at work. I don't think the customer would send me conflicting data as this is the critical feature that the previous supplier had trouble holding a tolerance on. Plus I've had conversation, by phone and email, with the quality manager and discussed it thoroughly so I don't think there has been any miscommunications. I just scaled using .03937 and it is a radius of 6.750"...not exactly big but not small either. The model was only off .004".

Now Im stumped. I got everything loaded and wanted to create a curve to control my tool. I measured the curve and it doesn't match the print. Its a radius and it measure .004" too big. I contacted the customer and they said it measured exactly on their software. Im not sure what software they used to create it though. Any thoughts?

Thanks. I know carbide would be better but I just forgot to order one and I won't have time to get one. What kind of depth of cut do you think I could get away with with a 2 flute. Its just a 15mm rod 7 inches long.

I have to cut a radius down the center of a 303 SS shaft. I am going to surface it with a HSS ballnose. Its all I have and I only have 4 parts to do. It 5/16 diameter tool. Feeds and speeds anyone?

Honestly I don't remember the specifics. I said the hell with it and turned my part on its side and contoured it. I know I was using a parallel toolpath, the normal was good, but I don't know about the cutter comp. Whatever it defaults to I guess. What is typically used because I dont't know the difference?

I am having trouble surfacing some plastic parts. They have grooves that are large radii with tapered walls and I was trying to do them with a ballnose. When we checked them on a CMM one was way too big and the other was way too small and both were done with the same tool. Locations of the center lines were almost perfect. I've had 2 other people check my geometry and surface and I'm stumped.

Apparently this one was drawn in metric. Is there a way to convert everything?

I had a customer send me an igs. file. I have created and used solids but never had one supplied to me. Can someone tell me how to import and use them? Thanks

This was the method I plan on trying (haven't done it yet). We have customers that hold us very close on thread depths (.010-.015" sometimes). I've thought about it several times and it seems to me that if your original program is clocked at 0° for the start of the thread all you would need to do is figure the percentage of pitch that needs to go deeper and figure that percentage of a circle and start your thread a little farther back on the clock. So if you need to go .010" deeper on a 1/4-20 you would just do this math: .010/.050 = .2 .2 x 360 = 72 So you would program your thread to the new depth and start it at 72°. PLEASE double check this someone. I've never actually done it but it makes sense to me. Tell me if I'm wrong because I will be in this situation fairly soon.

This was the method I plan on trying (haven't done it yet). We have customers that hold us very close on thread depths (.010-.015" sometimes). I've thought about it several times and it seems to me that if your original program is clocked at 0° for the start of the thread all you would need to do is figure the percentage of pitch that needs to go deeper and figure that percentage of a circle and start your thread a little farther back on the clock. So if you need to go .010" deeper on a 1/4-20 you would just do this math: .010/.050 = .2 .2 x 360 = 72 So you would program your thread to the new depth and start it at 72°. PLEASE double check this someone. I've never actually done it but it makes sense to me. Tell me if I'm wrong because I will be in this situation fairly soon.

We just got X5 and Im trying to set up our active reports. Everything has gone good but now Im on Lesson 3 (reports and subreport) and Ive hit a stopping point. It says to open ActiveReports_Designer.exe and that I did. But then it says to go to File, Open, and open TUTORIAL Setup Sheet (MILL-OPERATION_L3.rpx. I can't find this anywhere. Can somemone point me in the right direction?

I have a tip for deep engraving in stainless. DON'T TRY IT!!!!!!!!!! I already broke two tool and don't have 1 part done yet. I'm going to try to get a deviation from the customer today. Its pretty stupid to try to go that deep. Im going to send them pics of some samples we ran at .020" deep that look great but could still be even more shallow

I was planning on using them with a trochoidal motion...dynamic, peel, etc. The shop I just started at is using uncoated generic accupros and they just don't do much or hold up either. Id like to really blow their mind with some new cutters that last longer and create a higher level of throughput and capacity for the machines.

Whats everyone using on 4140? I've been wanting to try Hanitas on some 316 SS but I have a good size job of 4140 lined up and I was wondering if they were worth a shot on it? Any feedback is appreciated.

I have to engrave letters .063" deep in 304 SS with a .025" carbide endmill. Any suggestions? I was thinking about just constantly ramping down?

I have zero experience with posts. All of my mastercam programming experience is from school and we didn't mess with the post any but I'd like to change the one at the shop where I work if I can. We just installed x5 a couple weeks ago and I thought for certain I told the Mastercam sales rep how I wanted my posted configured but he decided to do it his way I guess and I wasn't crazy enough about him to call and try to get it fixed. For some reason it always sends the machine home at the beginning of the program. Maybe there is a logical explanation to this but I see no benefit in my shop so I would like to eliminate it without doing manually everytime I post. It also sends it home at the end. I don't mind this in Y but again I see no point to return X home too. Any advice would be appreciated. Oh yeah, its a generica Mazak post. Also, why does it always post it as program number 0000. If i go to tool settings in the operations manager and change the program number there it just posts the number in parenthesis as the name. How do I get it to post an actual defined program number

Is there a way to tell mastercam to output more arc moves instead of so many tiny segments? Right now my newer machines are fine but Im afraid when I start using a couple of my older machines they wont have the space or be able to keep up.

Can someone tell me how to restart an EIA program on a Mazak? On my old Haas I would just go to the line in the program in edit mode and then it would restart from there once I put it in Memory but on this Mazak when I put it in memory it goes back to the beginning.

Using a collet? Ours have notches for set screws I believe.

It is kinda funny. We don't even make tools anymore. Im just going to have a drill ground down. Im only cutting nylon so Im not too worried. Im doing 300 parts so I save hours of cycle just by eliminating 1 tool change.

Does anyone know where I can find a drill/counterbore combination tool? I need a 7mm drill with an 11mm counterbore. Im just drilling plastic so I don't need the highest quality. I checked McMaster Carr and MSC but neither have the size I need.

I had to laugh. That really is the complete opposite of what im doing.

Anyone have any input on thread milling a 1-5/8 x 12 pitch thread in 316 SS 2" deep? I have a test piece but I would still like to be close. I ran it in aluminum today but need a rough idea on speeds and feeds for stainless.