Cadcam, #1 do you send programs to the machine just like you download them into memory, or are there other parameters set? #2 - do you set the parameters in the communications boxes different? (stop bits, etc.) #3 - do the parameters in the CONTROLER have to be altered? #4 - Can you give me a step by step of how this is done? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike R.

So, Mcam has Cimco DNC "light" in it. Is this true DNC, like drip feed, or is it just a program to send/recieve a program into the controllers memory? If it is true DNC, will my controller (fanuc om) still be able to do feed rate overide, program stop, etc.? Thanks! Mike R.

James, If I sent you my syllabus for the mastercam course, would you look it over and tell me whether or not I'm on the right track? I'ts a brand new class (I've been teaching it in the cnc machining/fixture design classes, and I just got a stand alone mcam class approved to run this fall. I'd really appreciate it! thanks! Mike R.

Cadcam, I teach precision machining I & II, CNC machining, basic fixture design, CNC mill programming, CNC lathe programing, Mastercam I, and Unigraphics Cam. Noticed which one came LAST? C-ya! Mike R.

Actually, what I meant was using mcam to completely design a product, not import from another cad package. Thanks! Mike R.

I think you go into screen, config, then tolerances & change the settings there. or...screen, config, NC settings, and change the "number of places after decimal point for NCI files. Hope this helps! Mike R. [This message has been edited by Michael Reynolds (edited 05-28-2001).]

Thanks Ken, so am I right in my assumption that most people don't use Mcam to design & create working detail/xxxx'y drawings?k I think mcam is great on the cam side, and it's not bad to draw wireframes etc., but there seems to be a lot of room for imporvement on the cad (solids) side. While I'm on it, does anyone know if Mcam is planning to make their solids package parametric? Thanks! Mike R.

I work in Corning New York (between Rochester and Binghampton), and we're also VERY slow. But I've been in the business long enough to know that it's just a matter of time, and things will get better. Fortunately for me, I teach at a Community College, and when industry is slow, we're busy doin' the retraining thing. But, as you say, I hope things pick up soon!! Mike R.

More and more, I'm starting to use the solids extention in Mcam. I like it, and it's easy to use, but I'm strugling some. For instance, I just created a solid of a dovetail type tool block (like an aloris), and when I cut half of it away (extrude, cut body) to see what the sectional view would look like, it was great, but when I went into the solids manager and deleted that cut operation, I couldn't get the hole block back (yes, I tried regening). It said "problem regenerating chain". What am I doing wrong? Also, I'm curious as to how many people use mastercam to design parts and create detail drawings with. The "layout c hook works really good to place views in a drawing (from solids), but it has it's problems, like the sectional views come in upside down. Or do most people just use mcam to do the nc work? Thanks yet again, Mike R.

I think they will be extracted to the right folder automatically (mcam8) Mike r.

Thanks James! (...I thought you were on your way to a ball game???) I'll play with this chook some more... Have a good weekend! Mike R.

Has anyone used the layout c-hook? I just downloaded it and am playing with it now. It seems like an AWSOME add on to the solids package, but I'm having some trouble, and have a few questions about it. #1 - When I create a solid, then go into the c-hook, and try to create a sectional view, the new sectional view is upside down. For instance, if I create a simple block with a boss on TOP, and section it, it looks as if the boss is on the BOTTOM of the view. What am I doin' wrong? #2 - is there a way to have Mcam create the hatch lines from a sectional view automatically? Also, I have been making all my drawings in the Mill application, is that wrong? Is there a difference between doing it in Design vs. Mill? Thanks for all your help! Mastercam is really making leaps and bounds in the modeling arena!! Mike R. [This message has been edited by Michael Reynolds (edited 05-26-2001).]

Hey there! Some of us right coast peeps are out too... Hope both of you are havin a good weekend! Mike R.

Thanks all! Just got back from Eastech. Kinda a dissapointment this year.... Mike R.

James, When I tried to unzip posthelp.dll, I got a message that said "shell32.dll file is linked to missing export shlwapi.dll:shregistervalidate template. Any idea what that means? Thanks, Mike R.

I'm doing some lettering (.125 high), and am wondering what the minimun tolerance to place in the text box will be. I think the system defaults to .0001, and that may make my program alot longer than it has to be. Any ideas? Also, what about using the filter? Is there a difference between these two options? Thanks all! Mike R.

The last post book I saw was for V6, and I thought (respectfully, now) that it was lacking.... Mike R.

Elad, Eastech is the largest machining trade show on the east coast of the US. It's happenin in Springfield, Mass. Quite a haul for you! C-ya! Mike R.

I have been playing around with sub programming since this thread was started, and it's REALLY helped me. Especially since our controllers have extremely limited memory. Just wanted to thank everyone for the help! Oh ya, again, is anyone going to Eastech? I'm goin' tomorrow & Friday... Thanks again! Mike R.

I assume you would have to customize your post, if you didn't want to use thier subprogram one. This is my first attempt at using theirs, and it worked great on my fanuc. Cadcam??? Good luck! Mike R.

Finally one I can answer!!! Ya, but before you do any toolpaths, go to nc utilities, post, change (to the mpsubrep) Then, in your first operation, under misc values, you'll see "starting wcs", if you want to start with g55, type 5, and, for example, if you want 5 repeats of the operations, type "5" in the "number of subprogram reps", and away you go. The first one will spit out g55, the next g56, and so on till you get to your 5th one, which will be g59. Works GREAT!!! hope this helps... Mike R. [This message has been edited by Michael Reynolds (edited 05-22-2001).]

The last time I pulled some leg, I lost my house...... Thanks again guys! Mike R.

Thanks, Bullines! (I love this site)!!! Mike R.

CadCam - I downloaded the .exe file and the display seems to work better, but whassup with the zip file? should I extract that to somewhere? Again, thanks fer yer help! Mike R.

Me too... I also didn't mean to offend anyone, just puting in my 2 cents... Mike R>