I think I'll go about making a setup sheet like this: Do you all have any suggestions? 2297_001.pdf

I guess this would work out alright if the operator were willing to cooperate. He seems to have the attitude that I'm taking his job, and anything that I do differently than he's used to is wrong and/or bad. What about tool offsets? Leave them for the operator to enter in?

This is also a great idea. I forsee this forum being a great resource! I think I'll do it like this, but keep seperate files for each ID size (we have like 4 ID sizes and about 10 OD sizes per ID) Thanks!

That is a good idea... although it will cause problems in the future when I'm using the same tool on different materials and operations. Unless theres a way of storing multiple speeds and feeds for a tool based on the material selection?

Hi, We have many different pulleys here that we run on a lathe. They're all the same, with only OD and ID changes. I keep all of the operations in their own operations file to import on each pulley drawing so I keep all of the same parameters. Is there a way to update all of the pulleys at the same time when I want to, say, change a feedrate? It is going to be a pain in the butt going into each part and updating the feedrate every time we want to make a change. Any pointers? Thanks in advance!

Wow! Thanks for the quick responses! Right now, we're starting the transition on the lathes only, before the other machines. Do you guys have any specific ideas about lathe? How do you guys handle the offset numbers for tools? Right now, I am going to the operator/g-code programmer to get the list of the tools he uses, and then which position in the turret they are going into. Should I be getting the offset numbers from him too? He keeps telling me to leave the offsets at zero and he will go in and change them to what he needs. But this doesn't seem like the most efficient way. It seems like it would be faster for me to just put them into mastercam, right?

Hey all, first post here. I recently got a job in a shop where they currently have 6 Mazak units. 2 Integrex's, 2 Quick Turns, a Vertical mill, and a Milltronics vertical mill. BUT they only have one operator that can program in Mazatrol and 2 more operators that don't program! So needless to say, we have much more machine idle time than we would like. This is where I come in. I had some very brief experience with X2 in college, and so they sent me to a class to learn mill/lathe level one. I learned a little in class, and with another g-code programming class at the local university and the videos at streamingteacher.com, I've become somewhat proficient at doing what I need to to in Mastercam. So now we are at the point where I can make good programs, but the current programmer is reluctant to give up the control he has over the machines, even though there's no way he can keep with the work. The companys goal is to eventually move all programming to the engineering dept and hire more operators. So I have been put in charge of coming up with some type of communication system between the programmers (me) and the operators. Now, Ive looked into these setup sheets that mastercam provides without much luck. Not that I wouldn't to be able to program the reports designer, but I don't know exactly what needs to be communicated. Obviously tools, offsets, tool numbers, and a drawing, but is there anything else? Can anybody explain the system of communication their comapny uses so that I can use it as an example? I'm just trying my best to learn as much as possible here, because nobody here knows either. So any and all information or pointers or advice is greatly appreciated! p.s. I'v been lurking here for a while and this is a great forum! What did people do before the internet Travis