I've gotten alot (I mean ALOT) of email regarding some of the DFM projects I dream up, so I'm working on updating my web page to include them. So If you are interested, (or have emailed me within the last few days), please be patient while I get this stuff on line. Thanks! Mike R.

Andrew, I'm sure our engineering graphics professors do teach that. I'm NOT one of them. I'm more into manufacturing than drawing. That's why I ASK QUESTIONS. Thanks anyway, Mike R.

Is it against ANSI standards to dimension to hidden lines?? Thanks in advance! Mike R.

Cool, thanks Bryan! Mike R.

Is there an easy way to extrude holes and have the bottoms look like a drill point? Thanks again! Mike R. (inquisitive mcam user)

I got rid of my radion 64 meg card to buy an NVIDIA geforce3x 64 meg card, and now I'm having problems with my geometry turning to crap ('scuse my language). Sometimes my part looks like I created it using hidden lines. I try repaint, screen regen, and nothing helps. If I exit, then reopen the file all is ok. I don't want to start another mile long thing, but it seems to me that NVIDIA is a bad choice for mcam users!! Respectfully, Mike R.

Thanks for the help all! I haven't been able to retrieve any of the groups, but thanks to your help, I'm learnin' more about it. I'll keep trying. One other thing, when I save to library, does mcam save them to the default, if I don't have a directory created for them? Thanks again! (this forum STILL rocks!) Mike (the lifelong mcam learner)

Hi All! I want to create a library of commonly used groups, like one group for tapping 1/4-20 holes (with spot, peck, and tapping operations in it) so the next time I have to do a 1/4-20 hole (or 5/16-18, or whatever) all I have to do is to import the group and redo the part geometry. I created the group (spot, peck, tap), but how do I save it for later use? All I can think of is to create a part file will these operations in them, but I know there's a better way! Thanks all! Mike R.

Hi Jay! The spline was on the same z level as the rest of the geometry. All's I know is that when I created the arcs and deleted the splines, the toolpath worked. Mabye I have a bad setting in my config file? BTW, did you get the new "mill" tutorial with the instructor book? If so, whadaya's think? Thanks! Mike R.

This actually happened to one of my students today. We tried all the above suggestions (all good, of course), but when all else failed, we did a "screen", "statistics" and found that two of the entities were splines, which mcam does NOT like to chain. Changed the splines to arcs, and off we went! Hope this helps!! Mike R.

Hi All! Just wondering how to get the "layout" c hook to load MY title block instead of mcam's default? Thanks in advance! Mike R.

Hi Charles! In our "pure" mastercam class, we do it very simmilarly, but we have 2 hours of formal lecture per week. I don't necessarily stand (or sit) and lecture the whole time, though. Sometimes I make up a "tutorial", go thru it on our display projector, then have them work on it while I walk around and help those who are stuck. During our lab time (3 hours per week) I'd like them to do the "set up, download, and run" part of the course, but often that time is partially used on the software. As a matter of fact, I'm in the middle of a "trim 1,2,3, divide, open pocket, contour, multipass, depth of cut" kinda tutorial for tomorrow. Additionally, when I test students in the mcam class, I never give a written (multiple choice, T/F, etc.) test. I give them (typically) an ortho view of a part and have them do both the top, front, side, iso views(xform, translate, between views), and give them directions on what machining has to be done, and they are tested on the drawing as well as the tool paths. They save their work to disk, and I grade them based on what the instructions were. (we don't get into solids in a 3 credit hour class) Hope this helps!! Mike R.

If anyone would like to see what I give as mcam projects, email me and I'll send them to you. I typically "spec out" design constraints, and (hope) that the students follow them and ultimately produce what the "designer" had in mind. These projects are geared toward a college student, and assumes the student know's a bit about material properties & (most importantly) machining. Like I said, if anyone is interested, email me and I'll attatch some files. Thanks fer list'nen Mike R.

I'd like to help if I can, also. I've done many demo's for our college. I will say that I could never get the head part to run correctly, but I may not have the facilities that you do. What I have run successfully are keychain givaways (posted on Jay's ftp site), and I have a hair dryer mold (boss) that I'd gladly email you if you want. If you want the dryer mold, email me and I'll reply with the file. Hope this helps!! Mike R.

Hi Andrew, First of all, you have to differentiate the horsepower at the motor from the hp at the spindle. When you buy a machine, the seller usually tells you the hp at the motor, but by the time torque is transmitted thruough belts -n- stuff, you lost sometimes half of your hp. So, if you know the efficiency rating of the motor, you can figger out "what the machine is capable of". This is a link to one of the pages in my web site, & it'll get you close. http://cadfree.corning-cc.edu/~reynolds/ma...%20formulas.xls Hope this helps! Mike R.

Hi Mike, These are Community College students, so there ages range from 18 or 19 to ????. Mike R.

James, I've taught mcam since '96, and have found that the best test is 'on system'. I give them an ortho view of a part, and have them create the top, front, side, and iso view, and create all toolpaths necessary. I NEVER give them a written test in mcam, cuz frankly, I can't see the point. JMHO. Mike R.

Hi Mike!! If yer talkin about taking control of a student's system in a lab, we use two of them. One is a "linxs" system (hard wired to all computers in a lab), and the other one is "netop", which we purchased from (I think) Shortess & Rawson, our mcam educational dealer in New Jersey. I like both, but netop free's the world from 1 million miles of cabling. Hope that helps!! Mike R.

Hi All! I'm really glad this new forum was created for all of us who teach. Here's an example of one of my tests (projects), please let me know what you think. A precursor - I teach the software, but ALSO design & manufacrure. These two things are NOT specific to mcam. So here's how I do it. I give them a "product designers" specs, and let them use mcam to design the part(s), program them, and PRODUCE them. Here is an example: Tooling Technology MT241 10 week lab project Team members: Joe Mathews, Robson Ries, Jeff Galloway Directions: Below you will find an engineers’ request for a product to be designed and manufactured. You must follow all of his/her institutions (constraints), but you are responsible for choosing your own tooling & materials, as well as the initial and final design. This engineer specifies that the due date (for all finished parts) is March 30th. Additionally, you must work as a team to ensure this date is met. It is suggested that all facets of this project be broken into tasks, and each team member is assigned responsibility for accomplishing those tasks. The project will be graded as a whole, in that all members will earn the same grade. However, for each lab and/or lecture missed, individual team members will loose 5 points from their grade. Assigned Machine - Harrison: Project - Design & build 16 C collet stop systems Design constraints: 1. Material – must be relatively wear resistant & have a relatively medium machinability rating. 2. Appearance/design – must be interchangeable with all 16C collets (see id thread specs for 16C collets). 3. Fits & tolerances – all threads must be class 4. All other non-mating features to be +/-.010. 4. Required quantity - 7 Manufacturing constraints: 1. MasterCAM must be used to design & program this project. Additionally, the Harrison/Miyano lathes must be the primary machine tools used to produce these parts. However, you may use peripheral machine tools such as the Prototracks, Hardinge T/R & Harrison lathe, etc. to perform secondary tasks. 2. Choose the most efficient tooling available to you. 3. Choose the most economical material (1st week) Grading breakdown: (Name:______________________) Appropriate design (25 pts possible) – pts awarded __________ Material choice (5 pts possible) – pts awarded__________ Manufactured to specs (30 pts possible) – pts awarded__________ Finished parts (40 pts possible) – pts awarded__________ Lab/lectures missed - minus__________ 5 week lab grade ________ Whadaya think? Thanks in advance for your input. Mike R.

This forum sure is helpful, isn't it????? Keep up the good work, Webby! Mike R.

Sorry 'bout that! (I replied to all who emailed me about this question). Anyway, CNC in Wash said that most instructors do the demo thing. Solves a big problem for me! Mike R.

Problem solved. Thanks to all of you for your input, and thanks to Mike F. Mike R.

Thanks all, I'll call Mike. Mike R.

Are you guys saying that we can give our students each a copy of demo to have at home? That would solve my problem. Mike R.

I'll do that right now, Jay! It really stands to reason. Students are generally NOT going to learn the software simply by spending seat time in the class. They really need to spend AT LEAST 3 hours doing homework for every 1 hour they spend in class, to learn the stuff. Thanks for your input, Jay!! Mike R.