It was only on the log-in screen, not in the forum itself, which was probably a mistake on Mastercam's part.

The whole point of a multi-tasking machine is to multi-task. Turning with two tools on two spindles costs less money than one tool on two spindles. If he's afraid the live spindle isn't up to par for turning, I can assure it is. We have no problem hard-turning inconel and monel with the upper spindle. All while the lower turret is finishing up on the subspindle.

Apparently the bright green on white background was too subtle. Thanks, Obama!

Did you put it in incremental first? If you didn't, there's your problem!

It's more for the hopes of a common structure, so shifting programs around from one machine to another can be relatively painless. For our machines with ATC (Macturn/Multus) we use the G20 because that's the tool change position, for the turret lathes (LT's, LB's, LU's) we just send them to their "limits." Calling G00 X20. Z32. is good enough for our LT's, but the LB's have a lot more travel than that! Your idea is a good one, though, so I'm going to look into that further. Thanks!

You can do multiple features in one op. You have to make sure you chain in the correct order: center point of the hole, then the hole. The point should always precede the hole. What you said you selected seems correct, so there must be something else going on. Can you post a picture of it? Just take a screenshot of your toolpath and your geometry chain manager

I believe you're looking for the "Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinders, Oh My!" thread.

An easier way to start at the center is to chain the center point of the hole: when you're first selecting your geometry, use the "point" button to select the center, then the "chain" button to select the hole. In your lead in/out tab, make sure "use start point" and "use exit point" are checked. If your tool is defined properly, you don't need to do any math at all. Select the width of your chamfer and the offset amount you want the tool to stick past, say .05" Even if your tool has a major diameter of 5" and you're trying to chamfer a .250" hole, the tool will only go as far as your offset amount + your chamfer amount.

RE: the fourth question--does your tool database contain custom tools, and the .mcx file of one of those tools has been moved/renamed/deleted?

This man speaks the truth. I've snapped a 14" long, 1.250" diameter solid carbide endmill extension just trying to take .05" off a bore. It was so damn loud. By the time I could hit the e-stop button, it was already a goner. It was a bad day.

Nevermind, found the answer: it only works with ATC machines. Thanks, Cathedral! I'm welcome!

G20 HP=4 Does anybody know where to set the home positions that are used in the above line? We're working on a new post for our twin-saddle twin-spindle machines. We use the G20 HP=4 code on the MacTurns/ Multus to send the live spindle to the toolchange position. They were set by the manufacturer so I don't know where they are at. I would like to try using the G20 on our turret lathes, although I'm thinking it might only be usable for machines with an ATC. Thanks for the help.

The autocursor only works when you're already inside a function. To pre-select a specific type of geometry before you enter a function, use quick masks. I have mine set up like this: There are two functionalities to the quick mask buttons: left click on them to select ALL of that type of geometry. Right click on the button to ONLY select that type of geometry. Right click on the QM point function, then select your point.

First off, the best practice is to have your different geometry on different levels. I separate wireframe from solid geo into different levels, and usually wireframe used on one op is a different level from wireframe used on another op. Then you can turn off all levels you don't need so your view isn't cluttered up. Second, there are numerous different options for only selecting certain types of geometry. Most are linked to keyboard shortcuts, so if you only want to be able to select a point and not accidentally click on something else, hit the corresponding key first. P for point, C for center of an arc, M for midpoint of a line, and so on. All the shortcuts are in the help, search for Autocursor and Power Keys. Finally, you can use Quick Mask to select only specific types of geometry. You can select only points, you can select only points that are purple, you can select only orange lines on level 23 that are dashed and use thickness 2. It's all there.

Well, in X9 you can leave the plane manager open just like the level manager. That makes it pretty easy, too. I know that doesn't help you in X8 though.

That's what I use viewsheets for. When I know I'm going to be hopping back and forth between planes, I make a viewsheet with each WCS/toolplane active and just click between them. Works flawlessly.

Technically, X9 is Mastercam 18.

Damn, JParis, you're a ninja.

/NoS

If you're talking face, ideally you want something that only has one cutting edge. A fly cutter or a facemill with only one insert. You can also get one-flute non-center-cutting endmills for small diameters. When you have more than one flute, any variation in the grind or how far the inserts stick out will affect your finish and there's really nothing you can do about it unless you buy ultra-premium tools. The same one-flute endmill works good for walls as well. The biggest trade off is time since you have less cutting edges. Since it's aluminum, as long as you have a very good coolant flush, you can get away with running the tool at a high sfm and low feed to kind of burnish the part. Just be careful of galling and make sure you use an uncoated endmill. Then send it out for electro polishing.

Is that a solid carbide 3-flute? The only reason I can see that breaking like that is from walking or flexing. Are you sure the drill was sharp? Maybe one flute had a chip in it and forced the drill off center. Is the aluminum cast or wrought? If it's cast it could have hit a void. Runout on the holder? Or straight up bad juju.

I'd go with a smaller peck, but the first thing I'd look at is coolant. That's a tiny-a$$ drill and it has nowhere to dissipate heat so once it gets warm, that aluminum starts galling, and snap! Are you deep-hole pecking (staying in the hole) or are you pulling all the way out on your peck?

Change this fmt "NAT" 7 toolno1 to this fmt "NAT" 5 toolno1 and remove this to avoid adding another sequence number to the line pbld, n$, toolno1 e$

You're right. It just depends on how you program. For example, I program our canned cycles like so: N1 (OD 452 MAIN) G97 S982 M03 G95 G00 Z0. T010101 M08 M101 M105 X1.625 G96 S450 G95 G85 NAT02 D.05 F.015 U.01 W.01 NAT02 G81 .... G80 We only use sequence numbers (N) at the start of a toolpath to make restarting easier. But I can see how--if you used sequence numbers all the time--you would want a different callout for the start of the toolpath.

In X8 and you can do all that directly to the solid without creating separate surfaces anymore. I usually make multiple copies of my solids and then modify them by removing fillets, removing holes, etc. to accomplish what I'm looking for. The solid modelling tools they've added are excellent