i have had to do something similar for a underside C-Bore. Last time i needed this i just created the helix bore downward, then when you are using Classic Backplot there is a button in that window called "save toolpath Geometry to a level". I hit that, saved the toolpath motion to another level, then applied just a simple contour back up that helical toolmotion and ran it with a 3d contour. Some of the problems with doing this, you dont get to use comp (since the contour path needs OFF comp) and the other crappy part about doing this is once you save the geometry, any change to the helix pitch will require starting from scratch. But ultimatley if your ok with losing your comp and already know your pitch that you want to do its pretty simple. hope that makes sense, but if it doesn't just picture chaining an upward helix and running a 3d contour, the reason for the saving of the geometry is to build you the helix accurately. Just a though

you mentioned early on that you are purchasing "Mill Entry" so I would say a SSD would not be needed, if however you decide to update and do some more advanced work, like 3d mold type or Multiaxis type work, at that time it may be worth exploring SSDs, but since entry is your product of choice I can only guess that you will not need any powerhouse of a system. ​ Also consider the types of parts and part files that you will be working with, if you plan on opening up huge assemblies or building large assemblies with that computer you may want to invest more to save yourself the processing time.

if your lathe has live tooling, I would think C-axis Face contour would work.

yea, master That's strange, but yea Mastercam can, I used a peelmill with axis substitution on one of my bladed projects and from rons video it looks like he probably was using the multi-axis Roughing toolpath set to dynamic.

Nice! On a side note Mastercam can do very similar motion to what I seen in your video with a simple 2D Peel mill toolpath using axis substitution. not that is matters and it seems like you got the job done very nicely, Just something to consider since sometimes people forget Mastercam has axis sub paths that are much more powerful than most would expect, especially since axis substitution is included with mill and mill3d even if you don't have a mastercam multi-axis license. Plus then you wont have to bounce back and forth between that hypermill and Mastercam and you can just stick with the good stuff ;)Here's a pic of what I am talking about

it still cracks me up when i meet someone who is unfamiliar with Dynamic motion and they say things like "no way, you cant cut that fast"

Thanks a bunch Colin, that is very helpful information and I appreciate you taking the time to write it up.

its just a good editor, has some nice features like it will group certain G codes by color. Has options to find tool changes, etc. There is a free version that gets installed with Mastercam that you should be able to use, or if you contact your Mastercam reseller or Cimco you can get a full version that even has additional functionality if you want to try the free one that comes with Mastercam, go to settings-->config-->start/exit and set the editor to CIMCO.

thanks for sharing

he has power milling using dynamic in the vid, its the lower right clip.

Mig, this is an awesome demonstration! thanks for posting it!

Not a chook, this topic is in regards to 3d CNC cutter compensation for a 5 axis cnc machine. I was hoping we would get some feedback from someone at CNC software, can you let us know if there are in fact certain multi-axis toolpaths that will support 3d compensation? obviously the post processor would need to support the function as well but I am wondering if like a triangular mesh or like a morph between curves would support something like this. Here is a video I found showing 3d comp for those who are unfamiliar, I am not sure how many machines are supporting this yet but I know some of the newer makinos have this option.

I believe with 3d Comp you will need the IJK vector for every single position of code, this IJK vector is used by the machine for comp direction and correct me if I am wrong but only the multi-axis toolpaths will relay that info to the post processor. Unfortunately that's all I know about 3d comp so far, I am hoping to learn more too on this subject so hopefully we get some others that can chime in and give us more detailed info.

for how basic that looks in my opinion you could probably easily build a new model underneath that STL data. For a project like that there are multiple ways of accomplishing it. When importing STL data into Mastercam, you should notice that before you hit open there is an options button, I recommend opening the STL first bringing in the Mesh, then do a file merge and using that options button import in the lines of the mesh, this will give you selectable line geometry as well as the Mesh geometry. Looking at that hinge, If I were modeling it I would proabaly try to move into a right side plane and set my status bar to 2D and draw multiple slices in 2d, then using ruled/lofted surfaces, I would create a lofted surface using those slices that I had created. I am not sure how much of this makes sense, If you don't understand what I am talking about with "slices" or "ruled/lofted" here is a video I found on the web of this surface creation method. Lots of other methods too though would probably work or may even be needed though, but I think this would be the quickest and easiest way that I can think of getting accurate toolpath geometry.

That looks like itll work, the only thing I noticed that you are doing differently than I am used to seeing in HMC programming is you are using basically a copy of front plane for your WCS, most post processors can handle it this way but typically HMC programming will use top or a copy of top plane for the WCS. As long as you stick with that WCS throughout it'll probably handle it just as good as TOP wcs would. If you look back at my sample you should see what I mean, hypothetically lets say I wanted a B90 rotation, normally my Mastercam planes page would read something like wcs=Top - tplane=Right - cplane=Right whereas the sample file you provided that i reviewed is basically read Front - right - right Hope that helps

Thats interesting, i love the look of my SW2016. But I'm a little weird, so that may have something to do with it. Sorry I don't have an answer for you but good luck with your search.

Yea your reseller can train you in this. If you want to take a gander at this file https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqqxg6k7i8d6jno/HMC%204X%20TEST.MCX-7?dl=0 feel free, this is a sample file we use to test post processors for HMC machines and if you review how the planes are being utilized you may be able to reproduce on your own parts. Hope that file helps you some.

My colleague Todd was able to run Mastercam X8 on a surface pro 2 tablet before he retired and showed me it a few times. It seemed exceptionally difficult to accomplish a majority of tasks on that small touch screen but I was impressed that he was able to run it and generate code off a tablet. Possibly could work for small quick changes to your existing programs but I think it would be a nightmare to program your day to day jobs on a lower power tiny device like a tablet.

If you go to this link http://www.emastercam.com/board/topic/67968-important-topics-please-read-before-posting/ and look for a link to "Dynamic Mill Database" you will find a whole lot of speeds and feeds that other users have used for various Materials and tooling. Speeds and feeds​ have a lot to do with fixturing and workpiece rigidity but your tool manufacturer can typically also give recommendations, dynamic uses technology know as Trochoidal milling and if you specify that you are cutting using this process most tooling reps will be able to give you some accurate recommended feeds and speeds and there are also calculators on the market such as G-Wizard that can also calculate for Dynamic or Trochoidal motion. Hope this helps

hard to say from that pic, but check your lead in/out page, on the lead out page there is an option to extend and shorten the end of the path, I am thinking perhaps you have it set to extend the end of the contour which could be the culprit.

Here is some of the ones i use along with some vices and chucks https://www.dropbox.com/s/84fi2gkjytqngxd/Clamps%20and%20Fixtures.zip?dl=0​

Ok, i have an old video i did in x7 that is still applicable. This was one of my first videos i had created so in my opinion its somewhat crappy but i think it still will give you an understanding of how to use a transform path to cut multiple parts in multiple vices utilizing Work offsets. https://www.dropbox.com/s/rvzo3syeh27emdp/Transform%20-%20Work%20Offsets%20-%20Multiple%20vices%20with%20duplicate%20parts.mp4?dl=0 I'm not sure if that will help you or not, but if it does, great

I am not sure but if you describe your question or what you are looking to accomplish to the best of your ability I am sure someone can assist. If you are looking to do the same part in multiple vices, that is easiest with a transform toolpath, if you are looking to cut different parts using different offsets then it will be handled through planes.

Nice, I bet your tooling vendor is upset that your too efficient.

I don't know about countless. many functions are actually easier to get to. I understand we all use different tools and paths but most of the stuff I use, create rectangle, create line, create curve, toolpath contour, toolpath multi-axis. Almost everything that I am looking at is about the same amount of clicks or less. The only thing I find is I just haven't learned all their locations as well as I know them in x9. But I worked with X9 for over a year now and 2017 for only a few weeks which is the only reason I am slower in 2017. With a short time I will have 2017 button locations memorized and I honestly feel I can be quicker.