Thanks Jay, a simple cube with pockets on all sides would do. And a six pack of Labatts. Thanks again!! Mike R.

Hi All! I just got the ok to upgrade to v9 (when it becomes available), and am wondering if buying the solids package with it is worth it. Don't get me wrong, since I've started to use solids, that's pretty much all I draw in. However, in a teaching environment, I only have so much time to devote to mastering mastercam. I have only 3 classes that use it, but only one pure mcam class. I really don't think I could get students to the level of solids (no pun intended) in just 15 weeks without loosing alot of the basics. Remember, I want them to be proficient in all that they do. The other 2 15 week classes are not focused on mastercam, but rather on cnc set ups, advanced hand programming, and the last one is a fixture design class. Remember, there are alot of topics to cover in both of these courses, and we merely use mcam to machine the fixtures n parts they design. I guess I'm asking what you all think the learning curve is from wireframes to solids. If I thought I wouldn't have to spend much time on teaching solids in a fixture design class, I'd consider doing it. More info: the pure mcam class is 15 weeks long, 2 lecture hours, 3 lab hours, last week is finals. Additionally, the labs are devoted to actually machining the part. The other 2 classes are the same with the exeption of the labs being 8 hours per week. Whadaya think?? Thanks for all your valualbe input! Mike R. [ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: Michael Reynolds ]

Ok Jay, If I can do all that with construction planes, why would I need a WCS? Got an example, O'hero of mine?? Thanks in advance! Mike R.

Got it. Sorry about that. I needed only to choose solid face Mike R.

Hi again all!! First of all, I learned an awful lot of useful info last night, THANKS!!!! I learned you can pre define work offsets within the "C plane" manager if you save and edit your cplane. Thats cool!!! But, I tried to set a cplane in a solid, and it woulddn't let me use the "entity" selector. The only thing that was selectable was the solid itself. Do I have to create lines to use for cplane entity selection? Thanks again to all of you for your most excellent help and advice!! Mike R.

Lovell0 (what's your name, anyway?) It's only 10:30 or so here. Besides, this is what I do for a hobby (when it's too late for canoeing). When I learn somthing new, like every night, I go into my class with a new sense of excitement about what mcam can do! Mike R.

Got it. Thanks yet again, Jay!! You da man!! Mike R.

Ok, so that's cool! Am I correct in assuming that that does the same thing as selecting the tool plane origin in the t/c plane? (without having to go thru that)? Thanks Jay! (it would take at least 4 semesters of mastercam classes to teach students all the cool nuggets!!) Thanks again, Mike R.

Whadaya mean Jay? When I hit alt 0, I go to the operation manager.?? Mike R.

Nevermind, had to change a post setting under "rotary axis" to horizontal. Embarassed again, Mike R>

Ok, so now another related question. When posting this program using mpfan.pst, I don't get an "a" or "b" rotation like I should. I get a message that tells me the rotation angle will be wrong. One should be 0 and the other should be 90 deg. Thanks in advance!! Mike R. (embarassed again)

Got it. I wasn't selecting the T/C plane origin, just setting the work offset!! Duh!!! Thanks fer da replies!! Mike R.

Got it! I wasn't selecting the tool plane origin! Duh!!!!!! Thanks Trevor (and everyone else)!! Mike R. Lifelong mcam learner [ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: Michael Reynolds ]

Hi! I'd actually like to set z0 at the face of the part, so that each face would start from zero, and if the pocket is .5 dp, the final z depth of the pocket would be 0. I know I can program from the center of the tombstone, but I think for beginning/intermediate students, programming from the face of the work makes more sense. They can understand the program better. Like, if they have to change the z depth in the program for any reason, the numbers make more sense. Is this possible without copying the part to a different level & moving it? Thanks fer gittin back to me! BTW, where are you located in Pa? Mike R.

Hi Jay! I tried that in 9, but 8 doesn't have the wcs option. Is there a way to do it in 8? Thanks fer gitten back to me! Mike R.

Hi all. Spose I create a block that I'm gonna machine on a horazontal with a b axis. I want to machine a pocket in both the front and side of it. I know how to spit out the G55's, but when I do a toolpath on these pockets, the "Z's" are not starting out a zero, like I want. I know I can copy the part to a different level and then xform translate the part to z0, but is that really the best way? I also posted this on the instructor forum. Thanks in advance! Mike R.

Hi All! I think this should be an easy one for all you wizards out there. So, I create a cube, and want to machine the side pocket (G55), then rotate the 4th axis and machine the front (G56). I can get mcam to spit out the different work offsets, but the z depths come in wrong. The only thing I can think of is to copy the part to a different level, then xform, move the z depth to zero again. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance! Mike R.

Thanks, I just emailed them. Mike R.

Sounds like a well rounded program. Unfortunalely, the gen ed stuff is always gonna be there, unless the program is an aOs. Mike R.

Hi James! What course of study are you teaching in? Is it a cadcam degree, machine tool tech, or something else? For your question, I presently have only 1 "pure" mastercam class, and we get into everything except solids and surfaces. I guess you'd call it a beginner/intermediate course. We do, however, use it in our cnc machining course and our fixture design course. These courses are specific to the Machine Tool Tech degree program. No other program uses mastercam - the cadcam program uses UG. For me, one "pure" mastercam class is enough for my program, cuz ya gotta remember that most accredited schools have a limit on how many credit hours a program can have, and there are many other courses these students need. Don't get me wrong, I love mcam, but they have to know many other areas of machining too. Whadaya think? Mike R. It wo

Quite often, when I go into or out of the set up sheet, I get the "illegal operation" message and mcam closes down. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks all!! Mike R.

How about a Hardinge? I used to work there, and I now have a Cobra 42 in my shop. Love that machine! Low cost, but works GREAT!! Hope this helps! Mike R.

All due respect, but I'm pretty sure that there is no way for mcam to accurately calculate speeds and feeds on a consistant basis. There are too many variables like part/fixture ridgitity, tool hang, coatings, tool geometry, etc. That's why I do what (I think) Elad does, I have a copy of the Machinery's handbook and a calculator next to me, then adjust the speeds and feeds according to these variables (again, guessing at what I think the tool/machine can handle) Thanks fer listinin' Mike R.

Nevermind, I found it. Delete, window, set mask, use mask (enter diameter) Man, I find cool utilities around every corner in MasterCAM!!!!!!!!!! Thanks fer listnin' Mike R.

Does anyone know of a way to use this "type" of function to delete arcs of a certain size? I created a tooling plate with arcs for threads, c'bores, and dowel pins, and I only want to delete say, the threaded holes. Is this possible? Thanks, all!! Mike R.