Lars, kamman25 Thanks for you input. I am almost there. I have most of the programs written, just need to plug in the vectors, just, ha ha. Will start with a main calling 6 subs, 1 for each trode, then 2 subs within the subs for conditional statements. Have a great 4th. Jeremiah

The machine is an 04 and uses E.S.P.E.R. 2. We don't have a toolchanger so in an attempt to idiot proof the process, each trode will be calibrated (probed) prior to burning. I have found an old g code program of a similar part from several years back and will be writing the new code based on this. Thanks Jeremiah

I think it is going to take more than what esper has to offer. This is what I need the program to do. 1. With trode #1 in spindle. 2. Position over check pin to ensure correct trode is loaded, alarm out if not, continue on if o.k. 3. Index C and probe trode face. 4. Index C, pos XYZ, follow vector to burn depth with orbit. 4. Change trode and repeat steps above. So should I start from scratch or what ? Jeremiah

kamman25- Yes it does have espers. Obviously it has the ability to probe, but would I then edit the program for the macros, or what? Bear with me as I am EDM programming iliterate. Thanks for the reply Jeremiah

Hello everyone- I haven't posted in a while, but now I need you. I am trying to help out our EDM shop by programming a part that will require 6 different burns. The machine is a Mitsubishi EA30 with a C axis. Each trode will need to burn with the C axis at a set rotation and travel along a 3d vector. I have designed a tooling ball into the fixture for the trodes to touch off on and will write a macro to update the offsets. I plan to use MC to program the xyz positioning. I am hoping some one in here has done this before and am looking for comments, post suggestions, etc. Thanks and good to see you all. Jeremiah

In job set up there is a default that can be set to not assign tools sequentially. HTH Jeremiah [ 12-05-2003, 03:03 PM: Message edited by: Jeremiah ]

Looks like he's holding onto his SmartCam roots??? We have one of those too. Feeling your pain. Jeremiah

"To infinity and beyond "

JG- we use a big sheppard right angle head on a 5x machine. The t/c-plane is a bit strange in our custom post, but it works. It uses alot of misc intergers/reals to enter the angles and oal from spindle cl to tool tip. The key word here is custom post. To the best of my knowledge there is not a free post out there that will support a right angle head. If it is set up right it will work like a dream time and time again. HTH Jeremiah

Been married 3yrs, together for 4. Met on a blind date. Drank too many beers, "oh you wana go for a ride on my motorcycle ?" chased by 3 cops, didn't get caught. Got back to the house and she was laughing. Decided right then and there she was a keeper. Have 2 boys 2yrs and 6mos. Jeremiah

James- is this the same tolerance that it ask's when you are creating an stl? triangle surface/closenss tolerance? Just curious why you need to modify the prm file. Or is this the only way to set the default. I often times will use solid works to create an .stl file and have had much better luck with complex shapes. Jeremiah

Nominal- I have just completed a part with a very similar feature. The shank of the tool was going to rub, and on the retract, if you can think of the tool being down in the saddle, the tool would have pulled right thru the stock. I was able to get around this and get a flow line toolpath to work quite well. I was attempting to upload a sample file for you on the FTP site, but am not able to get on at this time. If you wish to e-mail me I will send you the file. HTH Jeremiah

I have been pondering taking my oldest son this year as well, but he's only 2 and I think that the scent of Huggies will probably give our location away. I have taken him with me when we target practice and it really helps get used to the noise. I can hardly wait for the season to start. I think the best way for a kid to learn is by example. And like Rekd said, if they start goofing off, stop it right there. Good luck to all, and be safe. Jeremiah

Great tips guys. Thanks again. Jeremiah

Yeah we have done grinding on a mill too. Grinding of 6al4v we have not. This is what I am curious about, buddy.

We have titanium casting that has a .877/.878 width clevis x approx. 3.25 deep. The walls of the clevis are .438 thick. One interior wall is -B- and the opposite inside wall must be // within .001 to -B-. With all that said. My thought was to mill the clevis with .003/.005 excess material on each interior wall and use an arbor mounted grinding wheel to finish the width of the clevis one side at a time. My question is, should I just go to the loony bin now, or has anybody done this ? Thanks Jeremiah

I finally found a fairly easy way to control the plunge rough toolpath just yesterday. I uploaded a sample file of the toolpath to the MC9files, directory on Cadcams site. plunge_from_nci.mc9 I used the method "from nci" , wich was a multi-pass contour at the final depth of the plunge. You can control the axial stepover in the parameters and with the offset of your multi-passes. Good luck and have a great day. Jeremiah [ 09-11-2003, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: Jeremiah ]

A few months back I posted a topic out of frusteration asking where all the good grammers are hiding. I recieved some great feedback both on the forum and via e-mail. I am pleased to announce that Kevin Clark, formerly of Central Valley Machine, will be joining our team on Sept 15th. It is very exciting to think about what Kevin is bringing to our company. Thank you Kevin for considering Davis Tool and choosing to relocate to Oregon. and thank you for this great Forum !! Jeremiah [ 09-05-2003, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: Jeremiah ]

Thanks for your help Jay !! Jeremiah

Thanks for helping out James. Jeremiah

Wow- It is great to hear others venting frusterations for me............. Jeremiah

May^day- One other thing you may want to try is getting rid of the * before tloffno. This is forcing it out. HTH Jeremiah

Carl- Would you mind emailing it too me too please ? Thanks in advance if you can. Jeremiah

amen brotha !! I think I need a transfusion...... [ 08-15-2003, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Jeremiah ]

solid would be best. I should elaborate a little more. I need to profile a wall 7.5 in deep that tapers from .050 to .625 thick. I plan to make a 1.50 dia x 1.50 loc x 1.00 shank tool that I can put in a shrink fit extension and step down. I don't think this is a stock item anywhere so I plan to have it made on our cnc cutter grinder. If there are roughed blanks out there some where it would save alot of o.d. grinder time. Any comments or suggestion would be great. Jeremiah [ 08-14-2003, 10:59 AM: Message edited by: Jeremiah ]