It looks to me like the CAD guys have decent Simulation Software (i.e. CAMWorks, PROManufacture, Catia) and have for years. I saw CAMWorks simulate their Trunion back in 2005 (FBM too). Verifying the toolpathed model is also important.... (Ron) I don't mean to call you out but, If your stack up is .005 out of your tolerance and your 0.500 degree out on your compound angle, an you have to start twisting your geometry to match what you have in the machine. Your model need to reflect your code to make sure your adjustments aren't 180 off...

The poor guys wants a machine simulation...

A tough issue would be to verify model geometry when the finish product has nothing to verify to except curves.... This part has sphere axis to compounded hole axis and the finished product edges are curves! I would take 'constructive criticism with a 'grain of salt'. There are those that 'DO' and those that 'watch' those that 'DO'.

1_.MCX-7

Wasn't that the point of 'Machine Definition'. I thought they were starting to log machine information.... Looks like that got put on the back burner for FBM?

:POPCORN:

I hear ya.... I'm playing around with what's efficient to what cost effective. Everyone has indexable ball cutters. Those seem to be more sensitive to material condition (minimun seems to be best). The ajax doesn't seem to care if its full diameter or .010 to clean up.

P.S. I'd rather spread rumors that I watch country with Reese Witherspoon than waste time on R. and D. for someone elses benefit. It's really competitive out there. Iscar-KENNEMETAL-Sandvik-MITSUBISHI all have quality tools. This project is really taking its toll!!

CH1P.MCX-7

WOW! I got a machine limit alarm! I didn't even hurt the part or the machine! Would this thing get mad if it found out I was using a Mitsubishi Ajax High Feed Cutters??

P.S. That would be kuhl If I could surface with the profile of the Ajax inserts! CH1P

an ol friend called and needed a hand.... he bought a new computer and needed to get a re+pete job up and running.... i jumped in loaded Masrtcam. I got as far as updating the post, then a couple network settings wouldn't let me overwrite the config files an before I knew it the setup guy on the floor was ready for the program and his operator was waiting around for a 1st article..... what a mess. 2) inspectors, setup machinist, operator all waiting for this hot job! Ever heard the expression "a quarter waiting on a dime"? That was fun!

.........i forgot a lot on setting up some of these definitions.....

ive never set up a 3+2.... but ill check out that webinar if its posted.

.........id be lucky if he calls me back.

:chip teh still un-3mployed:

Its not a macro... That's kind of funny, try not running Program 2. Put the fixture offset (G54.1) in P3. If he runs that fixture offset program, there's probabably a reason for it. Maybe machine specific.

The point of subs is to save memory.... if a program has the same code like a pocket with multiple depths. The code would be Z-.050

The M98 P2 (pocket code)....

Z-.0100

M98 P2 (pocket code)....

Its rather simple.

They came out with that back in the punch tape days (I think) Then there's controlls like HAAS, you could have all this in one program. It will loop down to a specific M98. Where some controlls have seperate programs. The control goes from program to program.

If I create the model in Mastercam, and then move the geometry a little, the toolpaths when regenerating will usually automatically find the moved geometery.

 

Is there a way to modify and then replace your soldworks sldprt file and keep most of the geometry in the toolpaths?

 

I am now deleting the sldprt file, which loses all the toolpathed geometry, and then file/import the revised sldprt file. I then have to re-pick all the holes and curves.

 

I am using Mastercam 5 and Solidworks 2012. I suppose if I switched to Mastercam for Solidworks it would solve this issue, but I do not want to change software.

Unfortunatially not, Mastercam uses those entities to drive the tool(path)s. I would put (only) those entities that you worked on on a seperate level. Delete the SW model that you don't need (for file space) and file merge the updated SW file.

Hole feature with Helix

I took a post that didn't have a any variables for "n numbers" and I couldn't get her to go.... I could manipulate some of the numbers like start with N10 (instead of N1000) and stat with 11 and inc x 1 in the output something like that. Anyway I had to...

if g71type = 2 | g71type = 3, pbld, *n$, *string3, *speed, e$ if g71type = 1 | g71type = 0, pbld, *n$, *string3, *speed, "W0.", e$ ] else, [

if omitseq$ = one & rc3 = size3 + one, pbld, *n$, *string3, e$ else, pbld, n$, *string3, e$

I remove the (multiply) *n$ to-----> n$ (in these three strings)

And she goes.....

Way kuhl.

I really miss being a full time programmer.....

Allright..... I took a post that didn't have any "n number". And started with this (last post). They were adding variables to a rough canned cycle.

Some machines require a finish toolpath and it roughs to the finish profile... so I 1)rough canned 2)finish 3)rough canned cycle 4) finish to make sure the variables were Inc. As stated.

I couldn't get it to Inc. The desired Inc. 10s then Inc x 1.

I was able to manipulate the values something like 20 then in the mach. Settings start at like 11 and Inc. By 1. Anyway.....

if g71type = 2 | g71type = 3, pbld, *n$, *string3, *speed, e$

if g71type = 1 | g71type = 0, pbld, *n$, *string3, *speed, "W0.", e$

]

else,

[

if omitseq$ = one & rc3 = size3 + one, pbld, *n$, *string3, e$ else, pbld, n$, *string3, e$

I remove the (multiply) *n$ to-----> n$ (in these three strings)

And she goes.....

It must have been some time since I've needed eob ( it might be in the control def. Or it might be easier to go to an older post. Again I wanted to try to control the output because you wanted quotes (") and eob(. As I started to place the n number throughout the post using this format. I got stumped..... because my post uses (") quotes to force the code... i couldnt get it to post (") quotes.... before I knew it my time was up...

Way more work then I originally stated!

I'm guessing your stock post has n numbers. (Master cam might not condone this) but I'd try to manipulate my n number variable to post ". And I'd try to add " to my (eob) ; ive been searching around to see if there's something simple to add to your control definition. I didn't see anything other than Manuel entry. Anyway, if that doesn't work you could create a new variable. Instead of a variable you input the ".

My experience with wires I was using n numbers for how the machine picks up its e-pack.

So if you don't want to change the n numbers create a new variable use that format to post a " on every line.

You could see here that my experience with anything other than a 2011BA24 is simply limited.

Good luck

I'm sure it is somewhere if you could actually get the search to work and search the old arcives you could find something.

 

Go over to CNCZone and do a small search

 

All I know is that were buggy so I stopped using them back around ver 8 or 9. But I don't think I was having the same problem.

All I remember was that I wasted a couple helimills and I think it was on the XYZ move on retract. So I fixed my post and stopped using ref points. Back then I would drill a hole and then plunge that hole to rough a cavity. You could bury those helimills and really move some metal @ 5 IPM. But I used lots of HSS serrated roughers back then too. So I cant remember all the particulars...I slept a couple times since then.

 

But after that I took shallower cuts and fed faster with helical entry like everyone else was doing. I never knew what was wrong. I didnt care, I didnt want to know how the software worked, I just wanted it to do what I told it to do.

 

I think husk has just about nailed down the problem, at a very high cost. And that sux someone had to pay so much to find out.

 

Now Matthew I don't know why you have been picking apart my words. If you think it was CNC software fault that this crash happened, then that is your opinion. I just do not share that seniment.

 

Sometimes I take for granted not everyone has been using this software since ver 5. and they may not have ran across certain things over the years like some of us have.

 

I do think this is a good thread that hopefully 5 years from now won't get lost in archive hell....

Im not that old but I've been around since the late 90s. I started on V6. Right about when V8 was being perfected. No regenerated surfaces. Diamond chain... I try to keep up with you guys. I like X4 and I don't get to use X5 much. But my last batch of parts (last month) had all kind of 'glitches'. Simple pocket didn't recognize an island, I re created an arc then it goes..... And actually I had entry point issues too, my entry point wasn't recognized. That's been the worst for me in like 10 years.

4 axis points are kind of funny. 5axis drill sometimes gives me three axis moves. I always program with the point drawn in 3d space and use Inc. Makes for fun setting up. 5 axis contours sometimes gives me 3 moves too.

Gotta admit... lathe points have been consistant. I like using points for boring bars. Both entry and exit.

I'll tell you, I know two "buddies" who have updates but haven't they must be too busy I haven't asked.

Tough break really!

I'm kind of old skoll, I use referance points all the time... in lathe too. I don't really set my stock if I don't have to. I always retract and enter with a point.

Chip teh V8.1.1.1 HAHA! - where's cop bike guy I have some prayer requests!-

With profiles like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSIcV710ACk I'm sure you get a cam profile, the code seems to be macro. Good luck. Those screw machines that run on a cams are pretty kuhl. I haven't seen one in years...

just trying to help....

I'm wondering, if you dont give it an e-pack, if it defaults to the previous setting. Also in the parameters you might be able to override the e-pack while its running. But you have to look in the Manuel for the abreviations.. the only time I wanted to slow the machine down is for wire contact or breakage, I sort of played around with flushing pressure...

I don't have as much experience as some of these guys.... but on a Mitsubishi, I don't think there's a feed rate (command) like you might be used to. It takes parameters from the e-pack and senses the cut through power-flushing. I was getting my feet wet, the boys at Mitsubishi are really kuhl and might give you some advise.

Wires are kuhl once you get operating. X-periment with wire thicknesses too.

One of these days I'll be able to determine the difference between a can lobe and a eccentric circle.

Good for you Jay.

I'm trying to search for it.... I think its "eccentric turning". Someone posted stuff like this recently video too. I think he was running an okuma??? or a mazak??? The cam profile was a macro, He posted the code too....

There's no doubt that NREC is a leader in this field, with hypermill being a comparable option at a better price point and more versatility as it is a full CAD/CAM system.

 

Setting up the impeller as a feature is not that big of a deal. Hypermill and NREC have been doing it for years, and it's pretty well known th,at Moduleworks tries to copy what hypermill does.

 

What I would look for is automatic collision detection and avoidance (no tilt curve), individual leading and trailing edge control, partial roughing, step-over control (Zig-Zag, one way and fish bone), opening cut options, etc...

 

Both NREC and hypermill as well as Clever engineering will have a wide breadth of cycles, such as flank milling, point milling, roughing, edge milling, fillet milling and hub finishing.

 

Hope this helps.

Clever not CleAver

YA KNOW..... your not the only one.

1) she bangs SteveZahn in management

2) double cross in the good girl

3) and I think she's banging one of the guys on friends.... knot sure though