Paul, Bet your life on it, verify will show all of your crashes - even multiples. Regards, Jack

Chris, You guys are killing me; plunge your sword though my heart – for the pain of boat anchorage and such hurts more than words can say. What’s next, the challenge for the King of elevator counterweights? By the way Dave, what did the misses say about naming the baby Mazak Thompson – you’re not going to get away as easy as you think! I have been known to show up at the damnedest of places in the most unlikely of moment’s IE: bar mitzvahs, births, funerals, etc! One final note Chris: Your Avatar looks rather nice with the red against the white background – have you given it any thought to how this affects those with epilepsy? You know about the kids and adults that go crazy when viewing high contrast video? If you’re not killing me by bashing Mazaks, you’re beating the hell out of me with reverse video. Have you tried the black background that Scott Bond has been admiring as of late? Andrew, I am so disappointed – I would expect better from an engineer with a cool, couple million invested in these puppies. I am tempted to soap-up all of your car windows on Halloween – cept Chris & James, the trip might be too far – but still, the passion burns. (Soul Caliber - Dreamcast) Regards, Jack

One other note: Often you can profile a piece of softwood which can be used as a form tool so to speak. Application: Make a lexan windshield that wraps at the corners - like on your car. Machine the profile in wood, place the lexan upon it, heat very carefully with a propane torch, maintain a very consistant flame & flame distance, timing is everything - once you catch they hang of it, the lexan will simply lay down upon your profile. You could also make the mating piece of wood to trap the lexan between both pieces - until the part cools & sets. Hope this helps, please let us know. Regards, Jack

Bogusmill, If this application is 2D or a basic profile, then by all means use the fastest spindle speed you have. – If a ¼” Slotdrill then suggest .005/rev using flood coolant – the machined edge will require a very light rub at most. If this application is as stated, do not approach & retract at a corner, lexan, and other polycarbonates should be treated as we would a carbon electrode. (Always install a radius at every corner otherwise a chipping will occur). (Arc in & arc off at the midpoint of a line if at all possible and always climb mill). Often a customer will allow the addition of tooling holes if you ask for permission, If this application is facing or surfacing you will indeed have a task before you; the problem with polishing such materials is the inconsistency of heat & abrasion – even a moment of greater heat will cause optical distortion. – you would actually fair better trying to wax a black car in direct sunlight Also try this approach – machine a mold cavity, heat the lexan, then vacuum to the desired shape. One place that I worked at did tremendous amount of lexan shielding for IBM, they heat formed the lexan to incredible tolerances and shapes – all was for operator viewing while testing and manufacturing a variety of electronic components. Regards, Jack

James & Olib, I cannot tell who, in this argument is throwing the bait? Olib is new to the forum, yet, he can serve up an interesting statement – caution stares me down with such statements. James is merely toying with Olib looking for the fast strike or perhaps an easy kill. Olib knows what’s coming – James knows what’s coming back, almost predictably. Please tolerate my analogy for but a moment; for I personally believe an argument as a very positive thing – I don’t believe the bashing & slashing to be hardly worth the effort here. No intent to incite a riot here. No intent to insult or to put anybody down as well. Just a simple analogy after punching out another 10hr Saturday – don’t you just love the dedication of being paid to have the time of your life? Regards, Jack

Heeler, Just another jab; sorry that you missed it. Regards, Jack

Once again, Scott Bond has nailed it. Hey Scott, it really does look good in black on black; you should avoid the green background at any cost. Regards, Jack

Michael, I cannot recall the thread, but I do recall one of our Australian friends that said something like Crickey-Jack you are not Multax or something to that nature. Here it is. I need to better educate myself with feeds, speeds, and depth of cuts (I use G95 inches per rev), I can also override my spindle speed and the feed rate will always travel with it and maintain optimum cutting conditions. I need to better educate myself with feeds, speeds, and depth of cuts (I use G94 inches per minute), I must override BOTH potentiometers since the feed & speed are independent, I must also multiply my chipload per tooth (or total chipload) by the actual programmed rpm – this in itself is an added, undesirable feature (can’t recall but somebody came back at me with the fact that they had three or four calculators around just to overcome the multiplication thing.) If you wish to restart a programmed G84 threading cycle – this will also synchronize as well, - not the case with G94 using an “ATCH” automatic tension & compression holder) tap holder when running in inches per minute – if there is a synch then count yourself lucky OR the compression simply resists until the path of least resistance and cuts in - stick the tap in the drill chuck with G95, for it matters not. G94 is an arcachic method of programming dating back waterwheels in a stream – this was used when power takeoffs were first conceived yet limited to one constant motor rpm and gear trains to arrive at feedrate control – my guess is the 1940s, but who knows? Oddly enough, you are now faced with a Mazatrol M2 control – if you attack learning the conversational end of things, you of all people will be begging for the same - such as I. We conversational junkies can function in any of the 14 recognized Mazatrol programming languages without skipping a beat - this is truly within our nature and abilities, this is not diredted at the 20~30 programmining experts, but rather the 10K~20K guys that have been around for a little longer. One other note: The M2 came with four different manuals (all pre-punched in separate dark blue binders), this would lead to an easy solution to copy the manuals - please buy them, for they are necessary, especially for the parameter & error listings, $1000.00 is scatch when you consider the gain. The M2 verB was the alleged refinement for a more affordable control (monochrome as opposed to a color crt –Wow); I have sort of been banging around Mazatrol “1981” long before Mastercam became the industry standard – I really don’t recall if the M2 could even take an Eia/Iso program, perhaps the “B” version does – M32 does, it’s in my garage, happy & content with either programming solution. The inherant problems with broken tool grippers comes from inserting the tool backwards; the dead key (dimpled key) must face the magazine otherwise the pressurer causes the casting to break. I have three broken now, I have seen 12 of 16 also broken through operator incompetance. If Makak is charging $400.00 US for these, I will charge $250.00US and punch them out in a weekend - of course, the will be made or "A2" annealed - just to take the beating, and not of cast iron as from Mazak. Sorry for the rant – but you did ask and I 've sort of been around as long as most regarding both Mastercam & Mazatrol. No smartimouth here, just me, Regards, Jack

Kathy, Kathy, Kath. Wow, 128 posts for the wants for version ten (Surely this is the record for post activity within our forum). I realize that in our demands for Cnc Software must be almost insurmountable – we truly are a hungry breed. I also know and appreciate that your initial thread can sometimes wander off topic, so to speak. Let’s give Cnc software some hardcore feedback, for they are watching and listening in, on all of our wants and needs; no offense but UG, Catia, & ProE have little to do with the next version of Mastercam. Could it be that were all being a little selfish with our requests? If this is the case then I’m going to be selfish as well.- Cnc Software will hopefully change the default of Mastercam to inched per rev (G95) instead of inches per minute (G94) or at least give the option at the software install. I really don’t want to tell my amazing Fish Story, but alas, I might not really have a choice in the matter. Regards, Jack

Is it just me, or is there a full moon out there tonight? Regards, Jack

Questech, One other note about James – when he places OUT! At the end of his remarks – it sort of means that he is angry with you. Since this is already your second post – I would seriously consider asking myself, should I pursue this line of questioning? Welcome to the forum, be nice, and have lots of fun. Regards, Jack

Chris, I didn't really take friggenbozo's comment to seriously; my mistake, for the record, is the proper spelling is fanuk and not Fanuc, sorry for the inconvenience. As if I could resist as well! Regards, Jack

Questech, Please take a chill pill regarding James – he’s doing the best that he can. The expertise is here all around you; please just look at what this forum really has to offer. Space balls are hardly a common feature among the hard-core fans of Mastercam; I don’t believe foot pedals are going to go very far either. Many of us teach and are very active on the floor as well; perhaps I have missed something in my reply, perhaps you are angry with one of James responses? Please hang tough with your queries – we are professionals here, please show all little respect, no offense intended – just punch-up my name and read the threads; for here there are no experts, for here were all just one happy, insane, bunch of Mastercam junkies. Regards, Jack

Andrew, Halloween is upon us already. Should I trick or treat at your house, would you consider a hundred or so, say, 11mm candies? and, perhaps, a 10 pak of the 17mm gob-stoppers? Don't tease me with such delights, please! Regards, Jack

Dave, Just a fleeting thought. Mazak Thomson – This can be masculine or feminine; just think of the future discounts, plus, he or she would look good for many years to come. Haas Thomson just does not sound too good – judging the beating as of late, I don’t believe he/she would look too pretty either. Just think of the possibilities, this would be much more popular than Cam Thomson or Cad Thomson – Talk to the wife I’m sure she will agree. Regards, Jack

Slick, My bet is the OKK is running a Misubishi Meldas 5000C with a plasma screen (little green lights grouped close together) - I would estimate this to be about 20~26 years old. If this is indeed the control, there won't be too much refining required since it is virtually Fanuc compatible. I will look into my archives for some programming examples from the past. I cannot recall if G49 was available at that time, but will look into it none the less. Good machine by the way! Regards, Jack

Corey, Perhaps we should consider a newer, improved handle IE: Corey390 - These Sandvik tools are amazing beyond words. Please email me at least one week prior to coming up (my email address is in my profile) - this way I can try to arrange for the other good members to show as well - Best Bet would be a weekend, but hey, I'm fairly neutral and usually quite flexible. P.S. Please bring along some extra 11mm inserts just in case we have some time to play in my garage. Regards, Jack

Not that I don’t enjoy a fine Monica Christo after a fine meal; perhaps the Web Meister and Peter Eigler , should consider handing out sausages as opposed to cigars. Here in Canada were taking a pretty good beating when it comes to smoking in the workplace as of late. Regards, Jack

Mikee, Have you surfaced the floor as well? Surfacing the floor will allow the avoidance of such a surface. Just a thought. Regards, Jack

I know what you're thinking! How does this guy know how to spell sauerkraut? It's so easy when you go to the refrigerator and look at the label. For there is no other way to this – it’s the third time I have done it. Go ahead – try spelling it out for yourself (I cannot spell this word without looking at the label. Regards, Jack

Chris, Today, on October 12th, I am 47 years old. No congrats requested or wanted, think about this for a moment - the male pattern baldness hurts rather large at this moment in my life. If any congrats are ever to be given - they are for my spouse for just putting up with he likes of me (God bless her). The spirit of just being part of this user forum is enough in itself. I so much enjoy the hearty laugh at the responses such as yours - these are real, these are spontaneous, this is what a proud crowd is all about. Please don't look for the lock on this thread, for nobody will hurt me or anyone one else - there is, and will always be the Mercenary Machinists "Andrew" and Machine Shop Rambo's "Mitchell", gunning for us all. I realize that Michael’s sensitive response was a good thing for him to do - as was yours. I believe it was James that stated that we get a thick skin regarding the praise or beating with whatever the forum serves up. The intent of this post was to involve our Moderators and to poke fun at ourselves. Sometimes a technical forum can become stale with the humdrum and rank expertise of it all. My first beer on the forum Chris, we will need to have a Real Beer together someday in Canada if you ever attempt to tackle The Great White North. I'm still waiting for Corey to come up for some sausages & sauerkraut. Peter E. & Andrew are certainly most welcome as well – only if they can forgive my nastiness, but for a moment. Regards, Jack

My thoughts at the moment reflect on the activity of the user group for the past year. I wish for the moderators to consider the following for a possible annual consideration. A kindness response award. Most outrageous Avatar award. An I appreciate the help award. I took it on the lip award. A holy cow award. A horses xxxx award. I’m afraid to ask award. Most outrageous statement award. A fire & brimstone award. Your humble servant award. A ridiculous question award. A light bulb award. The scientific approach award. A beanie cap award. All around nice person award. So little though, so much thought, who cares? Etc, Etc, Etc. Think of the prestige of earning such a title – this could even land you that job that you’re competing for; even honorable mention could have dire consequences. Please consider a lighter, side-take on this proposal; this suggestion is given in the spirit of being part of the greatest user forum out here. If you find this proposal acceptable then please refer to the thread that influenced your vote accordingly. Who ever coined the “Show up and Cut it” statement deserves a special consideration for just being Wow! Cnc Software – were going to kick some serious bottoms in 2003 with version Ten, “Show up and Cut it” is something to consider with the new release, It’s right up there with “ring around the collar”, “drivers wanted”, and “there’s a little McDonalds in every one” Time for me to grab the bucket & mop, Regards, Jack

Michael, I can't help but admire your Avatar, Perhaps the moderators should consider a poll to see whose takes this years most honourable Avatar. You already have my vote - Sorry James, you're picture, however, places an extremely close second. Anybody else? Regards, Jack

Radargear, Cool animation - how did you do this? Regards, Jack

As an instructor with a college here in Canada, I see many students that have worked for temporary employment agencies. There is nothing worse that observing a person who has six or eight years of this under is belt – what a way to spend ones life! In Canada, we have to go through the collect/remit hassle for virtually everything. No longer is it beneficial for a small business employer to hire full-time employees for the sheer grief of Employment insurance, Canada pension plan, company benefit plans, and the collection/ remittance of federal income tax. Many machine shops around me will only employ though temporary services - since it allows for productive work without the added baggage of government BS. The government created has this mess – I don’t believe industry to be the culprit here. This is only my spin on the subject – maybe it’s unique to Canada, or worse, this is catching on in the USA as well. Regards, Jack