The best way to keep everyone on the same page ken is to use either a print number or a part number. If there are more than one operation to the part we will use a the letters "a" ,"b","c" etc. or numbers "1","2" or "3"etc. depending on whether the part number or print number ends in a letter or a number.

We have been using mastercam for programming our sodick with the mark 25 controller for two years now. We also use mastercam version 8 for our primary software for programming lathe & mill 3d & 4 axis. We found,not only for economic reasons but also the user friendly enviroment that mastercam offered, it became our choice for an all around sofware. To best of our knowledge the major difference in esprit is that they add the wire cutting conditions to the header of the program, where we have to enter them at the controller on the machine>

I am threading a 2"-12 thread using a carboloy 1&1/4" dia. cutter with a multi tooth insert. Being a first time user of this type of operation I'm not sure that I am using the tool properly. I am taking a .01 d.o.c. per side by 1.7" deep with a feed of 25. ipmand speed of 2200 rpm. the cycle time seems long (9 holes 1.5 hrs.). any suggestions? Thanks in advance. ------------------