dude..... wall-e is my hero!

Yes! - worked perfectly - exactly what I needed! - THANK YOU!

oh yes, I saw this thread. just seemed to be more about the cost of things, rather than how they actually work. We are getting a new machine, and we will be starting with probing. I have the option of adding the probe cycles into my custom drill cycles @ $750 for 10 cycles (on top of the $500 for custom post) - or go with the upgrade that has the probe tool path - and still need the $500 custom post. I just finally got everything working again - my entire mcx system crapped out when I tried installing the x5 update - so I am really not interested in upgrading to x6 - unless the probe tool path is actually worth it? .....if anyone has used it?

I was just wondering if anyone has any feed back on the probe tool path for x6? has anyone used it yet? like it/hate it? questions/concerns? any feed back will be greatly appreciated, as this would be the only reason I upgrade from x5.

would it be possible to get a copy of that email you sent out about the probing?

i am trying to cut the face of the boss - and basically I have to trick master cam, so that we can keep it they it has been (op's using negative comp to stay away from certain area of a part, I cant offset anything geometry as the tool over laps the center of the part - so only way for this to work would be, to be able to have cutter comp, but the tool center needs to follow the path - b\c the edge of the tool overlaps the center of the part. I am new to the programming department - and this is the first time anyone here has used mastercam - everything is still kind of setup per the rules when they did everything manually - so it either trick mcx, find some weird and unusual ways to use mcx, or I'm going to be doing alot of manual edits in the g-code. ..... lol, and believe me dude.... all i ask, all day long..... is .....WHY????

Does anyone know where I can find some decent information on the setting up custom machines in the simulation for mcx5? I can build the parts in solidworks no problem, but I cant figure out how to setup the simulation part for a custom machine, with setting up the tree, and limits, etc... the info that came with mastercam isnt enough, for me at least.

that doesnt work. I need to have the comp on, and I need it to follow the center of the tool not the edge. i need the center of the tool to follow the geometry. With control in, i do get the comp in the gcode that i need, but the edge of the tool follows the geometry, not the center of the tool.

yes! that worked nicely. thank you!

I tried this, but I used a bore cycle for the boring bar, and when I goto that, its just a "point" and cant really alter anything

Wow, I cant believe the quick time and quality of these reply's. Better than my tech help! Thanks so much for the help everyone!! Here is another one that no one can help me with -- Anyone know where I can find some good, detailed information on how to setup a custom machine for the mastercam simulation? I can build the parts no problem in SW, but am having a hell of a time trying to get everything setup in mcx. The help that comes with mastercam just isnt enough to help me grasp what to do.

Anyone know a way to setup up a tool path so that I can use the comp options as in contour path - but instead of the edge of the tool following the geometry, its the center of the tool? And still have the options for cutter comp?

I could desperately use some help with a question that neither my customer service nor mastercam help line, could help me with. I would greatly appreciate any help and/or suggestions with this. Question - I am trying to bore a hinge with a feed rate, rapid through an open section, and then a feed rate to cut a second bore. I tried everything I can think of. Even with two tool paths setup, after the first bore - I cant get it to stay where it is for the second path to pick it up, before it retracts or clears back to top of part after first cut. I have tried messing around alittle bit with points, but I think its just a matter of clearance/retract/top of stock - setup in a certain way, that I just cant figure out.