One thing we have found going wireless is that there is some interference with our network security system . It's not a deal breaker but we do have occasional problems. We are a large corporation and so the network security comes down from corporate, so not much we can do about it.

Chip control off the part (generally the chips fall away from the part which helps prevent chip recirculation in the cut) can be an issue, especially in cell systems with a pallet storage system, where the chips get out of the machine and drop on sensors which then bring the whole thing to a grinding halt, and chips on the cones can affect part dimensions. The most effective way of avoiding problems I have used involved grabbing a thru spindle coolant tool (insert drills work well and give a good spray pattern) turn on the spindle and thru coolant and run the tool around the pallet faces and as far down as you can get. We had it set up as a subprogram (actually we had several subs for different setups and pallets) that ran at the end of every cycle. Adds a bit of time, but I have spent hours looking for chips that are causing problems in a large cell (42 pallets) so it is worth the time. The operator can also play a part by regularly blowing off the spindle nose (coolant from tool doesn't wash "behind" the tool), this helps to keep chips out of the tool chain.

Just as a matter of interest I was working at a shop when myself and the new programming lead decided to go centerline form the existing rotation macros they used up until then. Luckily we had the backing of management, but the resistance from the floor was considerable. It was like pulling teeth without anesthetic for about 18 months, then we hit a critical mass tipping point and after that even the biggest whiners wouldn't go back......... It's just difficult to help some people....especially the ones that already know everything.....

There is a great thread on this. Search for "Moving manual entries using string buffers"

Don't forget Blend toolpath. This has the added advantage of being able to use different tool and construction planes to control your path. Nick Eaton CNC Programmer Primus

We use Harvey tools a lot for this sort of thing. Keep an eye out when you import .DXF files from Harvey for extra hidden geometry. I don't know if it is our computer system or something else but I always get one tool profile on MC origin and another hidden profile off the origin. I just always check for hidden geometry and get rid of it to avoid confusion Nick Eaton CNC programmer Primus