You can also stich surfaces together, from an iguess, to get a solid body.

Model prep, make sure you save before you start making changes, because you can't undo. When I get to the point where I am happy with my model, I will remove solid operations so the part is one solid body. If I have to make changes after I will push/pull it.

How close is your local FANUC Tech? When you have two days of travel, the price goes up pretty quick. However, the first go around of "extended" work coordinates and 2MB memory is not standard on FANUC mills is an absolute joke. Along with a few other "options". 

Starrett .0001. I only use .001 to .002 preload on the indicator. 

 

 

One more thing, the OTS can not do really short tools, anything under about 3.25" gage length. Something to consider when buying toolholders. I use alot of 1/8" and 1/8" shank tools so I can't set any of my tools using an 1/8" or 3/16" solid holder (standard length holder), which also means I can't use the tool break check routine on them.  

Make a riser for the OTS and re-calibrate  

http://www.highlanddnc.com/

I have used this on a lot of older machines, its no direct usb hookup, but it makes it nice to DNC large programs without a PC. 

 

 

I would like to know this as well.  Screen size wouldn't bother me, since I would be docking it for most of the time.  I'm far from doing any intense surfacing, or multi-axis work.

Certain windows will not be able to be viewed fully, if the minimum resolution can not be met. I have a small laptop I use for email and simple programming, for when I don't want to lug my larger programming laptop. Docking it solves the issue, but when non docked its annoying. 

if your getting crazy with a complex tool geometry, it really blows up the stock model calculation. 

Look ahead not canceled? 

HSM was giving me feedrates considerably lower than the manufacturers moderate feedrate. SFM was pretty close to manufacturers and what was actually used. I would be happy to send my tool info to you. Because downloading and using tool manufacturers' speed/feed programs really suck, and I always use HSM Advisor for radial chip thinning tool paths.  

For axial chip thinning/ high feed mills, I will start with the manufacturers recommendations for step over, doc, rpm, and feed-rate for that particular tool. Normally I use HSM Advisor, but I have got better starting feed/speeds from the tool manufacturer. 

Make sure you check the rotary for squareness, had a Koma out .0015 over the face of the 10" rotary. 

12 bones for hss....you could almost ebay carbide ones, if he is being that tight

Slow in X9, no, onboard video card not checked is it? I had that issue, once I added mastercam to the Nvidia 3d graphics everything became peachy. Now for the weird thing, yes 3 axis sim is not saving. I always use 5 axis in X9, on my computers, so I didn't notice. 

I like plunging when it starts getting around 4xD deep with High feed mills, that are capable of plunging. I have had good performance on 40 taper machines, especially ones that lack rigidity. The load being axial and not radial really shines on smaller linear guide machines when the stick out is large.

I agree with 5 axis about the 3d contour, really makes a difference getting full control and being able to change the angle of step off depending on where you are on the part. 

 

 

Isn't the emastercam HSM database the project that Chris Rizzo (may he RIP) was heading up?

Yes, there is a lot of detailed info on it and there is something to be said about proven/tested speeds/feeds/tool life.

Yes the paid version of HSM Advisor is the way to go. For the cost its a no brainier. I did like the old helical endmill calculator too, just because it was so damn easy to setup, but it had its limitations. 

MXP? YCM makes a decent machine. Most Fanuc's require a special M code to rigid tap from the factory, you can make it so that a preparatory M code is not needed for rigid tapping. Why the "default" is set like this, I have no idea. Out of the 3 or so YCM's I worked with, they all required m codes to rigid tap from the factory, simple parameter change. 

Also, we used IJK's on them and not R's. 

HSM Advisor, the older Helical Endmill speeds/feeds calculator, and the emastercam HSM database are all good places to get speeds, feeds, and stepovers 

I believe the RPM is also dependent on the torque curve of the spindle, for "power milling". 

What type of work will you be doing, wire frame, lots of surfacing, or dynamic tool paths? Are you paying for it or will your work be purchasing it? 

Marposs.... how good is your Italian. Marposs macros are structured similar to Renishaws, well at least for their tool setters. I actually prefer the Marposs tool setting functionality over a TS27r. But, the support is lack luster. 

I am pretty sure if you create your own circle in older versions X6ish it would not be grayed out, but in X9 it is like you said. I stopped using a circle around x6 so I never noticed until now. 

I like seeing the actual diameter in the input, but that works too. 

I noticed your diameter is grayed out the 1.0". I have had an issue when selecting on a solid, it picks whatever diameter is on the solid and it can't be changed.... grayed out. So I would create a point on another level, turn off the solid level and drive off a point, allowing you to adjust the diameter to your liking. 

I have gotten bit by selecting directly off a solid once, never again. 

https://diy.haascnc.com/sites/default/files/Locked/Manuals/Operator/2015/UMC-750_Operators_Manual_96-8250_Rev_C_English_July_2015.pdf?0=%253F1401

It's very important to understand how DWO and TCPC work, even if your post handles it correctly.