I'm running it as a pocket in one direction because I am using a 1/16th ball nose endmill and I want there to be the lines across the pocket. I've used that same setup on some other projects and the pocket toolpath is set in the program to give the finish I like. I want the indexing to happen outside the part because after the tool makes the first cut and comes back off the part and to the X position for the second cut, it still has to index back to the correct A position. It does this by going almost a full 360 degrees around the part. When that happens after the tool feeds back into the part it leaves a ring around the entire part. The indexer is going from 333 degrees to 334 degrees, but instead of just going the one degree (either negative or positive I can't remember) it is going the full 359 degrees in the opposite direction. If it was just going the 1 degree I would have no problem with it indexing while the tool was in the part.

Yeah I want the rotation to happen before the tool comes back into the part. As I'm still relatively new to 4th axis I'm not sure what you mean by Generic HAAS 4th post. Is that the machine type instead of using just the default mill?

I am trying to use the pocket toolpath and the 1/16th inch ball nose to create the pattern of straight lines in the lettering. The rotary indexer we are using is a HAAS HA5CBL in the VF-1 machine. I know it does support continuous rotation as we did some spiral pillars for trophy uprights before. That is correct, I want the A axis to index before it feeds the tool back into the part. I noticed in the code it was using the G01 from feeding the tool back into the part to rotate the A axis back to it's next point at a rapid rate. I just don't understand why it rapids back on the line after it feed in instead of putting the G01 on the rapid A axis motion line and moving the Z axis feed into the part to the following line.

I don't mind the feed rate, but what's happening is its feeding back into the part then unwinding the A-axis almost 360 degrees leaving a ring in the part. As long as the tool is off the part the feed rate is perfect to reduce the run-time.

I am trying to pocket a name onto the OD of a piece of round stock (just under 3 inches). I am using Mastercam x7 here at the school and I'm using a VF-1 with a rotary indexer mounted on the table. The problem I am having is that when I created the toolpaths and backplotted/verified everything the part looks correct. However, when I generated the code it looked something like this: N91 G0 Z1.71 N101 X.3901 N111 Z1.66 N121 G1 Z1.44 F4.5 N131 A333.024 F358.1 N141 X.2636 F9. Basically what is happening is after it does each line in the pocket, it feeds up then rapids up to my feed and retract planes respectively. Then, after moving to the next X dimension it feeds down into the part, rotating to the correct A dimension after the tool is in the part at a feed rate of 360. I understand the reason its doing the feed to rotate the A axis however I am confused as to why mastercam generated that particular line after feeding back into the part. I have attached the file that for the program I am trying to run. I am very new to 4th axis machining so any tips or insights would be great. NAMEPLATE.MCX-7

Alright, sorry it took so long to get back to ya, been kinda busy. But I ran a couple off last fall and this is basically what they looked like. Probably just the VF1 or VF2. TREE PRODUCT.MCX-7

Well I'm hoping it can be a solid piece. I was thinking it might be possible to just figure out a quarter of it and run it on a rotary indexer in the mill and just rotate 90 degrees and do it 3 more times. I just can't figure out the tool pathing.

It's actually a VR8, sorry I mis-typed. It's a large 5 axis machine with 30 degrees of rotation in both directions. Radii are fine, don't really know about the size. I'll attach the file of what I'm trying to do. It's basically just going to be a christmas tree run on the lathe and hopefully that star on it. The tree is going to come from a 2 inch diameter stock but the star is going to be at .75 inches diameter. CHRISTMAS TREE.MCX-7

I posted a file asking for help about how to transform a wireframe star to a solid star. I have since been trying to figure out how to cut the star. I am a student at a Community College so I only have access to a HAAS VF1, VF2, and VR2 with a rotary indexer as well. I am still very new to CNC programming (this is my second semester) so I'm wondering if it's possible with one of these machines. If it is possible could you also show me how you programmed the toolpaths please. STAR.MCX-7

Alright, thanks for your help!

Absolutely, yeah feel free to use it. I just want to know how you guys did it, I'm fairly new to mastercam.

That looks great! Could you possibly explain how you did it so I know for the future? Thanks for quick response! PS: as pretty big hockey fan I think it's hilarious and awesome that you were the one to respond, with your name and signiture being what it is

I have been trying to figure out how to turn a wireframe model into a solid model in mastercam MX7. I've attached the part i am trying to turn into a solid. Is it possible to form a solids model out of this wireframe or do I need to try to do this another way? Thanks! STAR.MCX-7