+1 Avon

Metal Flake, One thing the "Big man" can't take away is your education and experience. Although I finished two different associate degrees, I am still plugging away for my bachelor's. I am a huge schooly! I really enjoy taking challenging and interesting classes. My girlfriend is an elementary teacher and she is hoping that I finish a teaching degree soon!! I've been attending part-time for seven years now (slow learner) and have seen many changes in the education system. One change that has finally taken hold is the distant education (internet) classes. Some U.W. colleges have wonderful programs set up for this type of learning. Doesn't beat the traditional classroom setting, but it makes it convenient for the working people. The first step is the hardest. I would love to explain to Frank some of the totally ignorant things I have done in my short career. Sometimes I am amazed that I am still alive let alone worried about my career. Good Luck, Scot

Frank, Hang in there! I'm not one with a great deal of experience, but I can attest to the pressures from upper management. One programmer for 30 cnc's sounds pretty impressive. I wonder if your boss knows how hard it is to replace not only a good programmer, but someone whom sincerely cares about his position like yourself. My two cents...the pressure of losing my job has pushed me towards finishing a degree in college. So it maybe hasn't made me a better programmer, but a better person. The more you worry, it seems like the mistakes will start coming out of the woodwork. Stay focused and confident. Good Luck, Scot

Congrats James! For all the vastly experienced users like yourself that are willing help people like me, all I have to offer in return is sincere best wishes. Good Luck! Scot

Paul, I sent an email to you. Thanks for the help. I'll take a look at them right away. Thanks, Scot

Thanks for the replies! After looking through the manuals (both ISO and conversational), I can see that conversational is the only way to go. BC10146 (Bruce) mentioned this to me in a earlier thread, which I can see what he is saying now. Maybe the best bet is to get working on a MC post for the surface milling and encourage the operators to utilize the conversational for the easy programs. You would all understand my concern if you new the two operators that will be running this new machine. They are constantly asking for simple spot, drill, and tap programs. The record is when their supervisor MADE me write a TWO hole program for them. He said he didn't want them to **ck it up. What a nightmare. I'm sure my 12 year old son could manage this. Thanks for the site Peter. Thanks, Scot

Greetings, I don't mean to offend anyone by using the MC forum for SmartCam advice, but I know there is much knowledge here that could possibly help me out with a problem. I have read many previous threads, and it sounds like many now MC users were at one time SmartCam users. Anyway, our company recently purchased a old "new" horizontal machine with a Heidenhain TNC 415 conversational control. I posted about this a few weeks ago. We are currently using fanuc on all other machines besides a few Mazaks and one vertical Heidenhain. Right now I use MasterCam and Pro-e.. which the transition from SmartCam to MasterCam has been nothing but SWEET. Thank You Everyone!! Although I received a generic post from my dealer to accomodate the vertical Heidenhain that I currenly program for, I am running out of time to program for another machine right now. My fellow programmers are currently using SmartCam, but have lost their feerless leader (super guy) who set everything up for them. They know little about the set-up of SmartCam. If I can find (purchase) a SmartCam post for them, then they can help me out until they learn more about MasterCam. I know nothing or less about SmartCam posts. Could anyone direct me towards a few sources in hopes of finding a post for this machine for SmartCam? In the meantime, if I get any spare time, I will look forward to any help modifying a MasterCam post, so I can set myself up to program for this machine. The machine came in this week, so now I have seen some example programs. I am still hoping that our company can get everyone using MasterCam and Pro-e. Too busy is definately not a bad thing. I have seen the inside of the unemployment office in the past, so I am not going to complain. Much Appreciated, Scot

Thanks for the replies. I am now aware of many options to try. Great Ideas. A ton of help. Sometimes I get too busy and overlook the obvious. Supressing the holes in Pro will most likely prove the quickest method. Thanks Roger...I should have asked you first, but I hate to bother you for every question. I use moldplus for some other modifying features, but I will have to explore it more often. Thanks Everyone, Scot

I should have probably noted that the parts I work with are created in Pro and then converted to an IGES with either surfaces or wireframe. Mayday, if I followed you correctly, the only setback was that I had to go back and select the filled holes as drive surfaces. But otherwise it worked wonderfully and extremely quick. Either way, create, surface, trim/extend, remove bndy, and sliding the arrow to the hole worked like a charm for my particular application. Thank you both for the help. Greatly Appreciated, Scot

Hello, I did a search while not finding the below question although I'm sure it has been asked many times. Which way would you recommend milling a 3-dimensional surace with holes in it? I am using suface finish scallop to mill a surface with holes in it. The tool tip wants to go inside the hole. I would like the surface to be flat for drilling. Other suggestions would be appreciated. Thank You, Scot

Thanks for the replies and ideas. Scot

Thank you for the replies. I found out a little more information about the machine. It is a CutMax3 with 4 axis capabilities (rotary table). I never thought to wait to view the programs in the machines memory. Thanks Tony. Scot

Hello, This may seem like a dumb question, but too much knowledge within this forum not to ask. Still making the transition from Pro-E to MasterCam with surface milling. Is there a way to add the cycle time to a post, so that it is coded out in my programs. The guys in the shop like that. Thanks, Scot

Thanks Bruce! I will stick to the conversational. Much Appreciated Scot

Thanks for the reply CNCme. I believe the machine is around 6-8 years old. I'm not sure where the company picked it up. I inquired about a manual, but the boss had left for the night. I'll be sure to check that out. Thanks,