Hey All, I can't seem to create a proper BSPT thread all available inserts in the Mastercam catalogues are have 60 degree angle threads. The BSPT is a 55 degree thread (its basically a whitworth thread on a 1° 47' taper) and it is consistently unersized when I cut the thread. I believe it is because Mastercam is compensating for the wrong angle and or that npt threads have a flat root and not a radius as with the BSPT. Please tell me I can update my catalogues and/or I can create a custom insert. I don't want to have to draw tool and insert. Of course the piece I'm making has two different BSPT threads on it! Right now I'm fudging the offsets until it works correctly - it would be nice if I do this as I normally would. Thanks, Ron

Thanks Gentlemen. Dave, I can't seem to access the FTP site it keeps giving the "server is down" error.

Hey Gang, I downloaded the multiple offset program from the POST page - how does it work? Did it come with a .doc file that I can't find. Oh yes, on a totally unrelated topic - when you are generating your stock in lathe 8.1.1 is it possible to have your stock represented as a cylinder with a bore? ie 4" diameter rod that has been prebored offline to 1.75" Thanks, Ron

Thanks for all the feedback! Just in case you ever need to do it here is how I did it - thanks to Andy. I used create>drafting>Note and entered "0" and positioned it at 90 Degrees. Then I Xform>Rotate and rotated it about the origin 50 times. Then I used drafting>edit and changed each number sequentially. Then I used modify>break>draft/line. This changed the Notes to geometry and I was able to make a toolpath. Next time I'll ask my question FIRST, instead of wasting 2 hours of my time. Thanks again everybody for the feed back. Ron

Yahoo! Thanks AndyA. Worked like a charm! Ron

Howdy, I'm afraid it won't work like that Cadcam. I can create the numbers on an arc but they will not be evenly spaced every 7.2 degrees. A number "1" takes up a different amount of space than a "45". I'm drawing a 6.7" circle for the numbers. If you draw a vertical line then rotate 50 times (7.2 degrees) about the origin try to see if your numbers (0 to 49) are centered on the lines when you create them. It's driving me nuts!!! Thanks Ron Man you guys are fast! I was responding to Cadcam and bam 2 more replies! Thanks [ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Ron_Roy ]

Howdy All, I have to engrave the numbers from 0 to 49 in sequence on a specified diameter. It looks like I am going to have to use create>letters >drafting, then manually rotate all my numbers until they are centered every 7.2 degrees. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH. I can create exactly what I want using notes in a very short time - does anyone know if I can turn notes into geometry? I won't even mention that I have to mirror the program as well. Can anyone help?? Thanks, I'll go back to my rotating and await an answer. Ron [ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Ron_Roy ]

Hi All, The Toshiba control TOSNUC 888 is THE very best - especially if your the operator. It is always tough when you've used the cadillac then change jobs and have to use a pintos (fanuc & mazak). Sorry guys I've been spolied! Have a Good 'un Ron

Howdy All, A high speed machining method that has worked for me is to finish a layer at a time. When I was machining heat sinks on a part I would remove 0.06" and then finish at 0.06". Then drop down another 0.06" and finish that level. By repeating this process to the desired depth the heat sink fins had much more support and the cutter had an easier time of it due to a small depth of cut. 3 flute is definately the best way to go! At high speeds feed your cutter hard. Good Luck, Ron

Hi, I would like to be able to copy geometry to multiple levels at the same time. Thank you for the opportunity to give input. Ron

Howdy, In previous versions of mastercam, if entry and exit lines were done manually and they overlapped the contour toolpath took the shortest path - it did not go completly around the contour. To enable the toolpath to follow the desired path you had to go into the post and change it. What does one have to do when using version 8? Also, in a completely unrelated vein does anyone know how to do show the tool doing horizontal milling with disc mills?

Thanks, What I have been doing is using >Screen> change levels> copy But I'd like to copy selected entities to several levels at the same time. Ron

Hello All, Is it possible to copy entities from one level to multiple levels all at once? Thanks, Ron [This message has been edited by Ron_Roy (edited 03-12-2001).]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Ron

Howdy All, I know it is possible to extend a surface by a linear value - is it possible to shorten the surface by a linear value? I extended my surface by too large a value and now I want to shorten it - I can redo my geometry but I'm trying to avoid that! Thanks, Ron

Thank you for the help! Ron Roy

Howdy, I am trying to import a Tool Library from a previous project (I'm using Ver. 8 - Level 3) , and when I try to look at it all the tool numbers are completely different and there are copies of the same tools in the library. Is there a way to use the old library and keep the tool numbers/offsets etc. as it was originally generated? Thanks Ron Roy

Thanks, I'll check and see if I have the newest update. Ron

I am currently parallel roughing a ruled convex surface - leaving 2mm of material - with 1" end mill. A strange thing happens when I generate the tool path - the tool construction lines generate properly but when the tool path appears it does not completely cover the surface - two small areas opposite each other near the top are not machined. But when I generate the same surface with a 1" ball nose the entire surface is is machined. Any ideas? Ron Roy