We are setting up X-mr2. I'm sorry I didn't specify. The post is for X-mr2 dated 11/17. We will set up X2 as soon as our dealer ships the CD. Thanks, romer

Ryeker, I have a copy of the last o.e.m. updated version I dll'ed from Cimco and run in V9. Ver4.40.xxx I think. Approx 10 megs. I you like I can send it to you. romer

I'm aware the code will run. I'm just looking for answers as to whether I am doing something wrong in the set-up of the new software. (Machine definitions, etc.) We are currently transitioning from V9 to X. I've updated our current posts and am also tweaking a fresh version of MPMaster to take advantage of some of the new features available in X. Any deviation from what was posting out of V9 however minute, makes me a little nervous. (call me anal-retentive, I'll freely admit it.) If there is some reason that the output of G98/G99 is tied to the number of entities selected, fine. However, I would just like to have it explained if possible for my own curiosity. After playing with the program over the weekend I have also found on one of our posts that I can't get anything but a G98 output with a single entity no matter what I try to change in the toolpath, machine, or controller parameters. This seems a little strange to me. If someone can enlighten me I would appreciate it. Thanks again, romer

I'm having a hard time trying to figure this one out. If I create a drill toolpath with multiple points, check the "use clearance only at start and end" box, the Z reference height is output on the line preceding the canned cycle and the Z initial height is output after the canceling of the cycle. G43 H10 Z2. T3 Z.1 G99 G81 Z-.05 R.1 F20. X.09 Y.18 X1.42 Y-.40 G80 Z2. M05 G91 G28 Z0. No problem. Just what I want and expect, But if I create a drill toolpath with only a single point, or delete all but one in a prior toolpath, I lose the reference height output. G43 H10 Z2. T3 --------- Z height gone! G99 G81 Z-.05 R.1 F20. G80 M05 G91 G28 Z0. I am using a modified MPMaster post. I have tried other posts, and even loaded in a untouched MPMaster machine, control, and post definition, all with the same results. V9 never posted this way. What am I missing? Thanks, romer

quote: I'm just glad other ppl have this propblem too. sorry Misery loves company? romer

Mig, While I believe the replies from everyone are sincere and accurate based on their experience, they may or may not be accurate in your case. First off, what model controller and what brand machine are you posting for? The manufacturers have the ability to set parameters for many functions, and they don't always set them the same. Many M codes are manufacturer specific. For example the Kitamuras we run do not use an M code pre-call. In fact, M29 is the turn off command for the chip conveyer for these machines. You have M602 called out, personally I'm not familiar with that but I assume that is another example of builder specific M codes. An ABC machine and an XYZ machine both with the same fanuc control may not like exactly the same code. First and most important, the machine must actually have the rigid tapping function enabled. Based on the code you supplied, you have the full HPCC function which is generally only found on the higher end machines so I can't imagine you wouldn't have rigid tapping. Since you have HPCC, I will assume it is a 21i or better control. In that control, parameter 5200.0 (G84) specifies whether or not an M code is necessary prior to the call up of rigid tapping. 1 = No M code is required 0 = M code is required If an M code is required, it is specified in parameter 5210 (0-255) or 5212 (0-65535). If no number is set, (0) it will assumed to be 29 by default. Other functions in P5200 you may be interested in, P5200.4 (DOV) - Allows override during extraction up to 200%. The increment unit and percentage is set in P5201.3 and P5211 respectively. P5200.5 (PCP) - Allows high speed peck tapping vs standard peck tapping (James pointed this out also) I would HIGHLY recommend you get the machine builders manual out and read it. It is your best place to start and may provide info on the capabilities or idiosyncrasies of your machine you may not even be aware of. Like the saying goes, If all else fails, RTFM! Good luck, romer P.S. Why are you turning on and then immediately turning off HPCC, and then turning it off once again at the end of the program? You may want to do some tweaking on the post processor you are using.

Thanks for the replies. Colin, in my experience with fanuc, G93 is inverse. G94 in linear motion and drilling cycles is IPM. (and usually default from manufacturer). G95 is IPR. Dave, thats the ticket. Thank you all. romer

I've been using an updated V9 post that has been tweaked a bit over the years. It works fine in Xmr2, but I would like to take advantage of some of the expanded features in MpMasterX post. Can someone explain where the G94 output in the first linear move is coming from? For example, G00 G17 G20 G40 G49 G80 G90 T3 M06 G00 G90 G54 X-4.9041 Y-.0759 S1250 M03 G43 H3 Z.5 M08 T18 Z.1 G94 G01 Z0. F30. --never here in the previous post Even in debug mode, I can't figure out what is forcing this out each time. Any Ideas? Thanks, romer MCXmr2 - still waiting for X2 disc from our dealer.

A couple of quick questions. What brand of machine? What does the G111 command do? Romer

I know I read it somewhere here but I couldn't find it in a search. When reloading, updating, etc, in Mcam X, what are the files and or folders one should back-up/save to keep all personalized settings, parameters, tools, etc. Thanks, Romer

Mick, Thank you for the reply, but perhaps you misunderstood me. I know how to change it. I want to SAVE it for the next and all other sessions. In SP0 there was an X icon on the Editor tab of the window box that pops up when you chose Options (F2), It would take you to the same window you are reffering to. It is now gone in SP1. In Cimco, the user defines preferences that are saved for all future sessions. That is what I am aiming for. If this is not a current feature of the editor, then I am mistaken, (though it does tell you your options are being saved) perhaps you could consider it for future releases. Thanks, Romer

Is it just me, or is there no way to save custom settings in the editor (fonts, colors, numbering etc.)? I searched and found some topics on bugs in the editor but nothing mentioned this. Though I get a settings saved confirmation nothing is saved for the next use. I thought that it might be fixed in SP1 but after installing, now the X icon that would take you to the windows properties box is gone from the options dialog box! PD Guy? Thanks, Romer

M19 should orient the spindle. romer

Bill, I feel like an IDIOT! I have seen and ignored the rotary axis button a gazillion times because we do pretty simple parts. Although I have not run it, I believe I am on the right track. A test post gives me a whole bunch of X,A moves and a rather fast looking feedrate which I am led to believe is correct. John, I would still like to understand the rolldie c-hook, so I will be sending you a file to see if it would be a better way to do things. Thanks everybody for your help, Romer

I am trying to learn about using a rotary axis. I would like to machine a simple contour while rotating about the A axis. After searching and reading I think the rolldie c-hook will do what I want but I am a bit lost. Imagine a sine wave drawn flat for the contour, and then roll that around a cylinder. That is what I would like to do. Drawing the contour is simple enough but after trying the rolldie settings, I am at a loss as how to proceed. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, romer

Gismo, If you're referring to the Tool plane/ Construction plane window's Work offset number, If 55 were to be input, the output from the post would be G54.1P50. (modified mpmaster post) To be able to customize this for myself, would I need to decompile, tweak and then re-compile the .dll as though I were developing a new C-hook? Thanks, romer

How hard would it be for the "work_offs_nr" to output G55, G56, etc. instead of 1,2 etc.? Thanks, romer

How hard would it be for the "work_offs_nr" to output G55, G56, etc. instead of 1,2 etc.? Thanks, romer

Some very neat sheets. After reading through the thread I'm still confused, did anybody convert the ncdatasheet.dll to english? If so, can they post it to the ftp or perhaps point me to where it can be obtained? (in english) Thanks all, Romer

Richard, (and all others) Thank you for the replies. I got the file and it works fine now. I tried the revolve function previously as the tutorial shows, but must have had something wrong because it wouldn't do what I wanted. I should also have been more specific by saying I want to plunge the endmill in and out of the part at the ends of the line as opposed to slotting all the way across it. (Your file is just what I was trying to accomplish, Richard.) My next question is how would I do the same thing only this time, instead of a straight slot, it is an "S" shape. I assume sweeping along the path would be the way to do it, but I can't even figure out how to draw the darn thing. If I create an "S" shape in the top plane, translate in Z -.125, then how does one create a fillet to join the lower line ends with the upper line ends as viewed in the front or side plane since there seems to be no defineable plane to work with. I'm confused. Thanks again for the help so far. Romer

I am having trouble drawing a simple slot as though it were cut with a ball endmill. If I extrude a rectangle (say .250 wide and 6.00 long X .250 deep) and then radius the inner contour, it has to be less than the radius of the slot or it won't let me do it. This leaves a small flat at the bottom of the slot. If I try to extrude - sweep along a drawn contour MC won't let me do it. I'm confused. What is the easiest way to draw a radiused slot in solids. Thanks for the help. Romer

quote: Few things of note: This has only been tested on mc9.1sp2 and windows XP. I was forced upgraded to both a while back and no longer have access to mc8.1.1 or windows 98. Bryan, Just to pass info along, I have tried this on both 8.1.1 and 9.1 running on W98. The menu appears fine, but the functions are grayed out and don't respond. Works fine on W2k. Thank you very much for a great little utility. romer

quote: I was wondering if they can be assinged mastercam functions, like main menu, or backup. Somename75, The Explorer Intellimouse I have can be programmed to enable program specific functions for all the buttons. Just program the desired Mastercam hotkey for the particular button. Go to your mouse settings and check it out. You need ver4.0 or higher mouse software you can get at Microsoft's website. romer

quote: you can not have a 2d profile My error, I just assumed it worked with 2D geometry. Thanks, Romer

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I can't get the island facing feature to work at all. I chain the outer boundary and the islands inside, set my parameters including the pocket type, and while the results pocket around the islands, there is no facing. Switching back to the standard pocket type gives me the same results. What am I missing? Thanks, Romer