So I'm using the met_tool$ to check for Inch/Metric. I have created this conditional... *met_tool$, e$ #returns 0 for inch, 1 for mm if *met_tool$ = 1, pbld, n$, "Z75.", e$ if *met_tool$ = 0, pbld, n$, "Z3.", e$ Both lines are output. This is the output... met_tool$ 1. (I'm in a metric program) Z75. Z3. Any suggestions how to control these for In/mm conditions? Mike Mattera

Hi guys, What is the post variable for checking the current units of the post. I need to do a... if units = 0, output something in inch if units = 1, output something in metric Units is the missing variable. Thanks, Mike Mattera

An Allen Bradley 7320 ! I learned CNC Programming on that control. CS,EK, ## I still have a notebook with all of those cryptic control commands. The functions you seek, may not be in any V8 post. You would most likely have to build in the logic yourself. If (prev_C - C) > 180, C = C * -1 # if the distance is greater that 180 , change to a minus Propably need to add a whole post section called "pdirection" or something like that. What's your post writing experience? Mike Mattera

There's a compamy called Sager that makes HiPerf laptops. I have a dual core AMD 3800 w/ Nvidia graphics, 17" screen, 1680x1050 res, built in port for every type of memory stick ever made, full numeric pad, full surround sound (5 speakers). It's a real powerhouse. But It's Heavy and the power supply is big. http://www.xoticpc.com Mike Mattera

Is this a Haas? Look at the Haas post to see how that do it in there. Haas uses +/- to specify direction for the rotation. Mike Mattera

Personally I never liked having my DNC on the same system as my Cam programming. Why not just use the old PC as a dedicated DNC server? Mike Mattera

You may have heard the phrase "The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know". I think the best users of Mastercam will tell you, that on their best day, they still only know about 65% of what Mastercam is capable of doing. These are also the people who are referred to as Experts, but rarely refer to themselves as experts. I'm always suspicious of anyone who calles themselves a Mastercam Expert or "Guru" (I hate that word the most. Picture a guy with a Maastercam bag wrapped around his head like a turbin). There are several things that will make you more talented with Mastercam. 1 Dont be afraid to play. I had a guy tell me he never hit the Advanced options button, because he wasn't an advanced user. That's how you get to be an advanced user. Experiment. 2 Different types of parts and machines = Experience for future projects. Mastercam is fairly consistent with techniques for doing things. Knowing Vertical Rotary, Horizontal Indexing and Lathe Live C-Axis, will help you understand the principles of other machining options you may need to use in the future. 3 Listen to everyone. You never know what your going to pick up. Two programmers in the same room will learn faster than one programmer alone. Put 3 programmers in the room and it's exponential. When you find something cool (most people) want to share their discovery. Start a user group in your area. Get your boss to offer a conference room 1 evening a month for all the local Mastercam tech weenies to get together and share ideas. And of course I'd be a fool for not saying it here... Consider Video Training as a way to gather the knowledge of others and learn at your own pace. http://www.tipsformanufacturing.com 4 Always Read The "What's New in Mastercam" and take the time to look at the sample files. Mike Mattera Tips For Manufacturing

You closed it and saved it under another name. But you didn't make that new "named" toolbar the default, so it continues to load the standard toolbar each time you start. Just close it and save it under the default name. Mike Mattera

If your using an old post, It may not support the helix option. How old is your post? Anything V8 or older may not support the Helix option. Mike Mattera

Thanks for your help everyone. Been a while since I played with Groups (initial X release). Thanks, Mike Mattera

Is anyone having a problem in X3 using Groups? I made a group (set of surfaces), tried a transform Mirror and clicked on "groups" and picked the group. Ended my selection and set my axis for the mirror. Nothing happens. If i go to groups, pick the group and hit View, it shows the right set of surfaces. Haven't used the new Groups much since the introduction of X. Seems pretty basic to me, but maybe it's not Since it's not working as I expect. Any one having problems with Groups? Mike Mattera

The Heidenhain is without a doubt, the most sophisticated control I've ever used. Excellent programming features. I worked for Hermle in applications and in sales. EXCELLENT machines. Holds +/- .00005" all day long (that's 5 digits my friends). Get a Heidenhain Post. Dont try to make it work like a Fanuc with G-code. Mike Mattera

You can also make the Transform output a new operation/Toolpath. Then you can transform that toolpath. Mike

Probably. But I would certainly check the output carefully. Mike Mattera

I had to do a job for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where we needed to drill a 1mm home 17 mm deep. Tried all kinds of drill. The best results we with Guhring HSS drills. All other had inconsistent points. Get some small drills and put them under a microscope or comparator, you'll how bad the point is on most small drills. The Guhring drills were right on center. Carbide is not the best choice because the drill needs to flex a little. Carbide doesn't flex. It breaks. The other factor was the drilling cycle. I was using a Hermle with a Heidenhain Control. It had a special reduction peck cycle. It had large peck parameters and small peck parameters and reduction amounts. Think of it like this... I want to take 3 mm per peck. Within that peck I want the first peck to be 1mm. the next peck would be .25mm less. It keeps reducing until the peck - the reduction amount (.25mm). Each of these pecks does a .2mm retrect between pecks, until it gets the full 3mm depth (major peck) then it does a full retract pulling the chips out. Then if rapids back in (within a clearance amount) and does it all again. If you have a Fanuc control, someone must have a macro/cycle like that that you can buy. It would be worth every penny to get the job done. I could never finished this job without that cycle. I was able to drill 40 holes per drill in H2 material. I had 1500 holes to machine total. My 2 weeks in hell. Mike Mattera

Iskander: What is that shadow I see on your screen image? I know what it looks like. Mike Mattera

This should change the direction of the "wrap". Mike Mattera

I believe your right. I stand corrected. I seem to remember that (now) from when I first updated to X. Thanks guys. Mike Mattera

Rob P +10 Mike

No Guys. I looked at all that stuff. None of it worked. This is a fluke thing that I just stumbled on the solution. I see something Red and I assume it's a group. Clear Colors, etc, etc, did nothing. Close and re-open Mcam. Nothing. Delete and Undelete and it came back in the normal colors. It was very strange. That's why I posted it. Mike Mattera

I thought this was interesting. Going thru all my old demo/sample parts from V9. When I converted them to X3, some of the solids were red. They were clamps and such. I tried Clear Colors and it did nothing. I was going to delete and re-insert the clamps. But after I deleted them, I thought I'd try doing an Undelete. Sure enough the part cam back in the right colors. You may never run into this problem but there is a simple solution: Delete and Undelete to clear the colors. Mike Mattera

The Hasp wont disappear by itself. It can be stolen. It can be lost due to fire. Those are the real problems you need to plan for. Fire is covered by insurance. Theft can be a problem in any company. But with the right environment and employer/employee relations this is less likely to happen. I have seen schools run a cable from the port, into the PC case and leave the Hasp inside. Yes you can open the case and steal if if you want, but it's more work. Like Bryan said above. Sims can be replaced for a fee, not a complete re-purchase. The owner has to file a report signed in the blood of a virgin. Good luck finding one of those in California. Mike Mattera

Thanks Rick. Mike

No. What they said is that "To read the history tree" you need 2008. You should still be able to read in 2006 SWorks files. Mike Mattera