'Burning' is a reference used by chip-heads that means to copy files, usually to a Compact Disk. When a CD is being 'written', a laser physically 'burns' the data into the disk, hence the term 'BURNING' Rekd

Wouldn't it be great if you could scroll thru a directory structure with the previewer? Like using the up/down arrow's to move up or down to the next/previous file? Minimal code, exceptional functionality. Rekd

It's hard to argue with a stopwatch... Rekd

hey, gary... something sounds familiar here; can't wait to get back to your baby, huh? I felt the same way, always spending my lunch with the bd, boy was my wife mad! heheh Rekd

Here's the Boston Digital home page http://www.bostomatic.com Check them out. I would think that Mastercam would have a post for the 3200X, if they are not too protective of it. I think I remember seeing one on the CD as well. (You'll prolly have to do the misc values for Contour O and Machining Mode yourself tho.) Some of the things I liked were the ultra high block processing rates... 1100 blocks/second on complex 5 axis parts. The ability to programmatically control the servo's performance with G codes, (letting you control the balance between acceleration and feedrate, WoW!) The large, high speed ethernet ready hard drives. (up to 3 megs/minute data processing with TRUE multitasking) The contour optimization lets you control the machine's adjustment of feedrates to enable faster run times, (very similar to MC's Highfeed option, but built in!) I could go on for days, but suffice it to say, BD makes an awsome VMC. Rekd

I couldn't get it to work at all, and from my understanding, Win2k does not support the built-in quick view. Is there a fix for this so I can use it? Thanks, Rekd

Check your filter settings, make sure the min radius is smaller than the radius of the tool. Also, you need to make sure the distance between the slot size and the tool radius size is less than the entry/exit radius on lead in/out or it won't have room to make the full swing. Hope this helps! Rekd

Ohhhh, my! I'm jealous! That's a heckofa machining center you've got there. I've never cut metal on one, but I've cut a lot of graphite on them. Gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling down under. Once you get the Contour Optimization and Machining Modes dialed in, you're in for a surprise! That thing smokes for 3d surfacing. And if I'm not mistaken, Mastercam uses one to test their toolpaths. That's gotta say something about the status of that machine. I haven't cut real parts from Mastercam on one, but I've cut lots using Cimitron, and it's great. With the customizations available with MC posts, you'll be able to control all the neat little functions in your misc values. And if you're interested, I made a little VB program that will create canned shapes out of your NC files very nicely. Not sure how well MC does it, but if you're interested, let me know and I'll ship you off a copy of it. Have Fun with your machine! (And if you're new to the Boston Digital Controller, just be patient... it's not like other run-of the mill machines, but it's very fast, accurate and easy to use ONCE YOU"RE USED TO IT!) Rekd

James is right! In fact, the last command in my AUTOEXEC.BAT file is FORMAT C: /Q. Now I don't have any probs, cuz I sart with a fresh computer each time it boots!! LOL (This is just a joke, please don't try this at home!) Rekd

There is a box in the import dialog window that, when checked, will import that operation's geometry. "Import operation's geometry" Hope this helps. Rekd

Will that be a perminate change? Or should the dll be put into the Screen/Configure/Start-Exit C-hook/Startup box? Rekd

You said you did not have permission to make the nescessary changes... are you on a network? and if so, do you have admin privilages? The registry, as well as some file structures deemed nescessary to the OS, cannot be removed unless you have at least 'power user' access on the network. Check with your system admin about making the changes logged on as an admin. Rekd

Takes some getting used to? Took all of about 15 minutes for me. And I'm STILL going thru withdrawls from not having one. I have heard bad things about getting CTS from using them, tho. Rekd

I was very happy with the spaceball (3button) we had. Had some problems getting drivers to work with things like sollid works, but for 3d work, nothing like it! Rekd

You Da Man! Rekd

I've added a prompt to the status bar while posting a file with M00s for clamp changes, etc. When an M00 is found, the post will stop execution and prompt the user for a comment that will be output to the NC block with the M00. Problem is, if there's several M00s, it's easy to lose track of which M00 is which. And on the Milltronics, which I love dearly , you are only shown 1 block at a time during cycle runs so you can't see the other comments for that operation. I'd like to add a counter to the prompt, (not the text box) so every time it reaches an M00, it says "...Enter a Comment To Post With M00 #1:", and increase the counter each time: "...M00 #2:" etc. After declaring and formatting all the needed variables, it doesn't seem to allow that kind of processing. Can I use a variable in "# Format Questions"? #=============== #Misc Variables stopcomment # Text from prompt (posted on line with M00) stopcommentcounter : 0 # Counter for number of M00's stopcommentvariable # Text to display at prompt, (add counter value to text) #=============== I think this next block is where it's being rejected.. #=============== #Format Questions fq 3 stopcomment stopcommentvariable #=============== #=============== pstop # Stop routine pretract stopcommentvariable = "Enter Comment To Post With M00 #" stopcommentvariable = stopcommentvariable, stopcommentcounter, ":" q3 stopcommentcounter = stopcommentcounter + 1 stopcomment = ucase(stopcomment) if stopcomment = "", n, "M00", e if stopcomment <> "", n, "M00", "(", *stopcomment, ")", e if wcstype > one, absinc = zero n, *spindle, *speed, pgear, strcantext,e pcan1, pbld, n, *sgcode, *sgabsinc, pwcs, pfxout, pfyout, pfcout, e pbld, n, "G43", *tlngno, pfzout, scoolant, next_tool, e absinc = sav_absinc #=============== From the looks of it, because originally in "#Format Questions' the prompt doesn't go inside quotes, this type of processing cannot be done here. Is there another option, or something I'm completely over-looking? Mayhaps a better option would be to use the Operation Comment in the prompt, but this, too, would require using a variable in #Format Questions. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Rekd [This message has been edited by Rekd (edited 02-23-2001).]

Click NC Utils/Def. ops/Library. Select the library, right click on the operation you want to delete and select delete. Rekd

(1) Click on Toolpaths, then Job setup. There's several ways of setting the stock sizes. (2) While still in Job setup, on upper left side, click on Tools. You can also make changes from the Operations Manager; find the operation that has the tool you want to change, and click on the description of the tool. (3) Not sure what you're trying to do here, please be more specific. Rekd

Thanks! This will be exactlly what I want to achieve! Rekd

Instead of just listing cards for a vote, how about also allowing users to list their cards/OS/hardware etc., and any problems/comments they have with/about them? This could act as a database that other users could use as a type of guide to buying/configuring their own cards. Just a thought Rekd

I want to set up my post so it effeciently lets me control the Clearance and Reference planes on drill cycles. (i.e. when to use G99 and what value to use for R.) Writing the code shouldn't (he said hopefully) be much of a problem, but I can see 3 possible places to put it; first in the Misc Values, second in the Drill Cycle Parameters, and 3 in the Custom Drill Parameters. I'd prefer it in the Drill Cycle Parameters, but that doesn't look like the friendliest place for it. Which would be the best place? And has anybody got any code snippits with these functions in it that they'd like to share? Thanks! Rekd [This message has been edited by Rekd (edited 02-13-2001).] [This message has been edited by Rekd (edited 02-13-2001).]

Another option, which may not be as custimizable, would be under Job Setup, on the bottom right, 'Adjust Feed On Arc Move' Also, this does not appear to let you control only inside or outside arcs Rekd