Well far be it from me to "Hide in the shadows" It was me.

Yeah, I wept too, but I am willing to bet for a very different reason.

Well then they are a a rare minority, because I haven't meet one yet in 15 years.

And therein lies the problem with just about every software engineer out there, not just the MC ones either. I doubt very highly if any of them have any actual practical experience using the very software that they created, so how can anyone truly expect them to fix any problems that the real users experience? I figured out long ago, using other packages, that if by some miracle a bug gets fixed, it was probably done by accident.

Thanks for the help, unfortunately, I can't find anything like that in the post at all. So what would I have to do to change the post ?

Thanks JBowman, But I have a couple quick questions, do we have to link the header to a specific code in the rpx file? I was able to add the header TOOL CODE but it doesn't post out the manufactures tool code I typed into the tool form. Any chance you could give a bit more details?

Hi all, We use several different machines and posts here, some post out the tool list at the begining of the program, and others do not. Not being all that familiar with editing posts and all, can anyone tell me how I can tell MC to post out the tool list with the program ? Thanks

Thanks Gentelmen

Ok, bear with me here. I have no idea what this means. Every time I save this new project I am working on I get this error NCI ERROR OP ID# 17:16 Surface High Speed.... blah blah (This is a toolpath name) save_db(): multiple start of section nci moves What the heck does all this mean, and how do I get rid of it ??? Thanks !

I wouldn't say that about them. Others might, but not me. I am far too professional to resort to name calling... yet !

Actually they are a great bunch of guys, but I think they fear for their jobs. New guy, new ideas and all that. No worries though, I am sure I will get beat down eventually.

Well I am trying my best, but I am sad to say that the guys I work with aren't being very helpful

Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, and this is just my opinion. When it comes to 2D work and engraving, Mastercam is fantastic, however you have to create curves, arcs, lines etc to drive the toolpath, and you have to be very carefull where you pick your Z depths on multiple entities. But when it comes to 3D surface toolpaths, Mastercam sucks, no matter if your using the solid model, or surfaces. Just my opinion though.

You have absolutely no idea just how much I miss my Delcam products. I had to leave it to stay gainfully employed being as my last place of work went under. Believe me, the first chance I get to go back to working with PM, I will jump all over it.

Yeah, you can use HS cobalt drills, but get good ones so that they last longer. Smaller sized threads can be done with good taps (prototype by dormer are good). But if you want to get good tool life and no broken taps to be burned out then carbide and threadmills is the way to go.

Hey there Bud, I started using MC about 6 months ago myself (new job and all) and I have to say I was at a total loss as to why I had to create curves as well. I was used to programming entirely from the 3D model (Powermill). However, with MC, using the 3D model to program is waste of time for the most part, and it appears as though the majority of your programs are created using wireframe that is created from the 3D model, either in surface or solid form. My best suggestion to you is to not select the entire model and create wire as it just makes it too confusing. Try creating wireframe only as you need it, and put all different operations on seperate levels, otherwise your screen is going to get too clutered up with overlapping lines etc., which can make for a real pain in the behind. I hope this helps you a bit. Good luck

This is just my 2 cents worth, so take it as you please, but I think what your problem could be is your being too hard on the machine. I am pretty sure the VF4 series only has a CT40 taper on it, so trying to hog out a 1" deep cut with a 1.25" cutter is too much for the spindle to handle. You really need a 50 taper machine for something like that, or use a smaller tool and lighter depth of cut. Of course, if it is a 50 taper, then something else is wrong.

Well Depending on the shape and features of the final part, you could rough out some of the extra material, then send it for heat treat, then finish the part. If you have thin wall sections then make sure you leave a decent amount of stock on them, say 0.100" per side before sending it out. As long as you use nice sharp tools to finish it,( I like Hanita Varimill II) it should cut really nice in the hardened state. Drill any holes with carbide drills and thread mill wherever possible.

Double is a somewhat relative value. It all depends on what time of the day it is, and and if it is close to break time.

Considering your productivity is pretty low as it is, that is an improvment .... hehehehe

I am bored, what can I say

Look, you can't even compare Mastercam to Featurecam at all. Featurecam is a basic, 2D/3D machining package, period. Think of it as Powermill Lite. Very limited types of toolpaths available, with basic control functionality. If you want all the bells and whistles then you have to step up and get Powermill. Double the price of course, but worth the expense.