How do I use that link? I would like the model as well.

I also have a T5500, with dual quad core Xeon 2.27GHz, two Nvidia Quadro 4000 graphics cards and 12 gigs of ram. Mine seems like it should be faster as well. I am not too savvy with computers so how do I check motherboard speed and ram speed?

I've never used it, but just tried it in X5 MU1 and it worked great. My computer is 64 bit, but isn't X5 32 bit only? I used create-letters, MCX block font, window chain, and checked the rough box in the parameters. No problems on my end.

You can't beat a Haas for the money, and the control is very user friendly. Haas also has great support at their factory outlets.

I use them. Sometimes I need to stop a program at quittin' time and re-start in the morning. Block #'s makes it much easier.

Rohm face driver.

You might check with Tim Rowley at www.mcamnw.com I know he has a machining background, but not sure about wire. He gives top notch service.

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!

Found a GREAT electronics guy in the Pacific NW. If you need electronic repair of NC/CNC (and old edm) machines, try Tom Gensert @Automated Machine Service. 503-880-4908

Occasionally when quoting a job, I can't see a good way to machine it with all our equipment and software, and I have to think, how would they have done this back in the day. I'm still thinking about one that came across my desk two weeks ago. Would be a piece of cake if I had a boring mill with tailstock.

Anyone know who can repair our Hansvedt sinker in the Pacific Northwest?

I am a "seat of the pants" programmer, never having any Mastercam training. When I get stuck, I contact our re-seller, and they always recommend a Streaming Teacher subscription. I was always skeptical, but they gave me a two day trial when I upgraded to level 3 mill. I have to say I was impressed. I wish I could talk my boss into buying a subscription. You can just look through the index and watch a particular section, and it is very well done. In my mind, that would be a great way to learn lathe and 5 axis.

I have used the 300 IPM feed instead of rapid, but I almost got bit because I didn't draw my clamps in. The tool started heading for the clamp and I hit feed hold, but at 300 IPM, the machine had to decelerate and it almost didn't stop in time. I decided to spare my shorts and just use full vertical retract.

I just ran a .125 ball 1.25" out in H13 Steel. I honestly didn't think it would work, but it did. I was cleaning out corners that were cut with a .25 ball down to a .074 rad. I used dynamic toolpath with .0015 CPT. I was limited to 6000 RPM by the machine, but it worked great. I'm glad I didn't have to hang out 3.5" like you!

I always use full vertical retract. I usually only get one chance, so time is not as important as knowing the tool will clear.

Can you verify and save as an STL? QC should be able to program off the STL file for in-process.

The dies turned out good, but i have a lot to learn. Roughing with the ball nose worked well except the Optirough path left some scallops that it tried to drive through at 300 IPM (default). Rather than reprogram, I just changed the backfeed to 50IPM and it was fine. The Rest rough paths didn't have that problem. I'm still playing with the finish pass. I used Hybrid finish on the first die and it was fast and efficient, but the finish was poor because it changed directions on the shallow angled flats so there were sections of smooth climb cut finish, and sections of torn conventional cut. The second die I finished with Waterline pass and it took almost twice as long to machine, but the finish was uniform. Unfortunately, cutting from the outside in, it was a conventional cut on the shallow angle flats, and climb on the radii. If I get a chance to make a third, I think I'll try Surface Finish contour so I can cut from inside out which will climb cut the whole surface. I'm playing with that toolpath now, but I'm not sure I can force the step up and step over to get the finish I need.

Is there a way to force the Waterline finish pass to machine from inside out instead of outside in? I have a part with angled surfaces that radius into a shape that is cut through the part. The through shape is at 90 deg. to the top surface. The shallow angled sections are around 7.5 deg. and the depth and radii vary along the shape. The problem I am having is poor surface finish on the shallow angled surfaces because the Waterline finish pass machines from the outside in. This causes a conventional cut situation on the shallow angle flats and climb cut on the radii. The finish on the radii is great and polish free. I tried to limit the toolpath by depth and by angle but with the depth and radii varying I can't come up with a satisfactory toolpath. If I could finish from inside out, it would climb cut all the way. I also tried the Hybrid finish pass and it was much more efficient, but it changed directions on the surfaces and it really looked bad.

When my CAT50 tools ride the carousel the get varnish from the coolant stuck to the shanks. I've been using WD-40 to remove it, but some of them are stubborn and require a little Scotch-Brite. It seems so wrong to use an abrasive on a ground shank. What do you use or how do you handle it?

Can I install X6 along side of X5 on the same desktop? I am a little hesitant to install X6 when I am just getting a handle on X5, and I don't want to give up the Verisurf tools. I would like to try X6 though as most of the parts I have been doing lately take about 1 hour to verify if I set it to high quality so I can do an STL compare.

The EDM work was outsourced and I was concerned with trying to blend all the contour work into the EDM'ed through shape. I'm sure the EDM shop could hold the tolerance I need, but I'm not sure I could set up and indicate everything in to blend perfectly.

I would drill corners as well except this part already has the shape wire edm'ed into it with .05 stock to machine.

I need to cut corners with .076 Radius in 1 1/4" thick H13 tool steel plate. I am roughing with 1/4" and 7/32" ball endmills, but I need to clean the corners. I settled on the Dynamic toolpath, but what do you recommend for depth cuts and toolpath radius? I set stepover to 6%, but I'm not sure what to use for depth cuts, toolpath radius, and feed rate. I am running this part on a Haas EC1600 so I am limited to 6000 RPM.

Can X6 be installed in addition to X5 so that one can use either program? We did that with V9 and X2 when we had a user that refused to leave V9. I keep putting off installing X6 and losing Verisurf is one of the reasons.

It's running right now. I hope my guesses were close.