It sounds like you need the post to take the drifference between the clearance and retract points and output that incremental distance as the R value. and the the same with the drifference between the Retract point and final Z depth and output that as the Z value.

Petro, No I don't run a Hurco. From the description it sounds like the Z.1 on line N170 may be keeping you from returning to the clearance plane at 2". But like I said I don't do Hurco just an observation.

Oh Duh,Sorry misunderstood when he said there was only one solid when he opened the file. He's in good hands now, Carry on.

I just downloaded and tried your HSM advisor and must say its very nice. I checked many of your base values for SFM and IPT and found them to be very close the values in the machinerys handbook therefore I'm satisified with your research and am comfortable that they were't just pull out of someones A**. You also provide a very nice override box in which I can just put in any SFM and IPT value and your calculator will calculate chipthinning from my inputted values. All i all very well done and the best of both worlds. Only question is if i purchase the permanent license with 1 year updates and decide to update a couple of years later, how much would that update cost. I can't find that info on the site.

Maybe if you could post the file and highlight the problem I may have a suggestion.

I just clicked open, selected sldprt, picked the file and presto I got multiple solids on drifferent levels.

I downloaded and opened and Got multiple solids on drifferent levels, I attached the Mastercam X8 File hd691-WEB.zip

All the models I get from Kurt workholding open as multiple solids, Send a link to the download of this solid and I'll try it.

Here is a spreadsheet speed and feed calc that uses data from the machinist handbook. Also with the chip thinning calc. link below from in house solutions you can figure HSM. HTH The Black Book - A_06 - Copy.zip http://www.emastercam.com/board/files/download/777-chip-thinning-calculator-for-windows/

Is there a reason why your drill depth is +.4 instead of -.4? Also if you have an R.1 then why do you need a Z.1 before the drill cycle? You may need a G98 on the drill cycle line for the machine to return to the initial plane.

I found that getting customer supplied models is the easiest and best way to make models and create edge curve all edges is the best way to create wireframe LOL. Relax and good luck boeing welcome aboard.

Aaron, I can't pick any points on the mesh to accurate transform from point to point. is there a way to do this or do I just have to estimate and get it close. thx

welcome to the forum RUWAA, Thx for your imput.

Sorry I can't help with "aux" files, Just thought that a seperate program would be a simple solution for the tool setting issue.

Not quite sure what your getting at but there may be a simplier solution. Appears you are planning on calling these routines to set your tools. Can you just put the routines into a seperate program in the memory where as this tool setting program will have the N number repersenting the tool number. Can you show an example of a laser routine maybe that will help.

We had to but Z-.1 to not hit the soft limit and get it to work.

No, there is no such switch. You could make one by editing the post and using a misc interger as a switch.

If you created the STL's from solidworks then it may be the export options in solidworks.

My post actually outputted z0 put I changed to output -.1 because it would hit a soft limit at Z0. Sorry Can't help much about the Subs as I havn't started using them yet. Still a bit green with Siemens code.

I'm putting in a request for a refund of all of my maintence fees from X5 to X8, Then I'll be pulling the plug on X8.

I had that problem and it was a option to convert or not to metric, dam I can't find it right now.

Here is what my endof tool code looks like. All that I can think of is that the D0 might need to be before the Z on the SUPA line. N130 M9 N131 M5 N132 G0 SUPA D0 Z-.1 N133 G0 SUPA X-19. Y-6.

Standard equiptment with Siemens.

Yes, I think its how you set your retract. Set the retract to where you want to start drilling and the clearance to the height to clear clamps. Do not check use clearance only and the start and end of operation. That should work otherwise there may be a post issue.

We purchased our DMU 50 siemens post from in house solutions thru our reseller. The post from in house solutions makes full use of the cycle 800 and Traori functions. There is also a switch to turn them off. If we ever purchase another post I would purchase it thru eapprentice.net. Regardless of who makes the post having the expertize of eapprentice as your support would be extremely beneficial.