A moderator will move it.

 

 I've been using Dynamic Optirough with stock models for years with great results.  

Does the toolpath automatically recognize the stock that you define in the stock setup?

Hey thanks.  How do i move it to the main forum?

Hey chaps

I'm trying to rough a big job.  It's curved and 4 meters long and 2 meters wide, with about a 300mm curve depth.  I have received my material stock model from the designer, but i am trying to avoid air cuts.

Anyone know how stock recognition works in using the "Surface Rough Pocket" toolpath.  Does it work in conjunction with "Stock Model" wich is also situated under the toolpaths dropdown?

And Wow, just downloaded the MCam 2017 Beta version...., must say, LOVING the new look and functionality

Hi

I've recently updated my Mastercam maintenance.  So i went and updated my SIM successfully, but now when i check under my licences, my 5-axis licence is missing.  Any suggestions please.

Dynamic cross-section like SW would be one sweet piece of enhancement beautification I think most of us would appreciate...

In full agreement

Hi Newbie

I've done this, but then the toolpath is created above, and below the check surface?

Hi

Dumb question again.  How do I limit the depth of my toolpath in a multi-axis toolpath?  Is this driven by my stock?

Cheers

That is the answer i wanted, cheers!

Why

Hi

I was wondering if there was a C-Hook available, or someone willing to write one with my little issue i am having.

We have a CMS Poseidon, 5-axis router, and have been programming this machine with Powermill and PowerInspect for the last few years.  In the last few months we have made the switch to Mastercam, which includes the probing capability.

We have a T25 Marposs probe on the machine, which we use in conjunction with PowerInspect, and this works fine.  As i understand it, we HAVE to use a Renishaw probe to use the Mastercam probing software, namely: Productivity +.

Renishaw probes are very expensive, and our owner does not want to spend the money on a new one.

I think i have a solution, but i need someone who can write/develop C-Hooks to perhaps bring this to fruition.

Currently when i probe in PowerInspect, this software outputs an IGES file, which has the "new" workplane attached.  I can import this "empty" IGES file into Powermill, and within this IGES file there is "Workplane", which i can now use.

Is there a way that Mastercam can "use/find" these Workplanes?  With a C-Hook maybe?

Regards

Justin

I was wondering if there was anybody out there who might have a Renishaw probe sitting in a cupboard, unused.  I would love to buy a new one, but they are just sooooo expensive   .I am looking at one for our machine, to inspect and probe our work, as our machine is basically sitting in a tin shed, and temperature plays a huge role on our CMS Poseidon.

Looking at the Renishaw website, i'd be after maybe one of the following models:

RMP40

RMP40M

RMP60

RMP60M

*RMP600

Cheers

Justin

I was wondering if there was anybody out there who might have a Renishaw probe sitting in a cupboard, unused.  I would love to buy a new one, but they are just sooooo expensive .I am looking at one for our machine, to inspect and probe our work, as our machine is basically sitting in a tin shed, and temperature plays a huge role on our CMS Poseidon.

Looking at the Renishaw website, i'd be after maybe one of the following models:

RMP40

RMP40M

RMP60

RMP60M

*RMP600

More like under 5 seconds. My take right or wrong is that MasterCam's planes are like from the machines perspective.. not a models perspective.

This is true.  Though, i find that 80% of people actually move their part TO their workplane, whereas i create WCS's where i need them to be, as my CAD continiously gets updated as the part/mould is built.  This is so that everytime the designers send me updates, the part comes into exactly the same spot/orientation.

I don't think he is actually trying to rotate any planes, More like offset them to account for the temp changes. Copy your plane that your using, (assuming that it is top) then modify the xyz's by the amount that want to shift.

 I don't know how you would automate but I think this is what your trying to do.

I just find it weird that you can't see a 3d models workplanes.  I'm guessing you need Mastercam for Solidworks version?

 

Hi "5th Axis Consulting"

 

I'll try and explain a bit better.

I have been using Powermill for the last few years, and have now switched back to Mastercam, after having it being my software of use at my previous companies.

 

In Powermill, when i bring in CAD, it brings in any existing Work Planes that were created during the building of the 3d Model.  As with any and most other programming software, i can now create workplanes i need for machining purposes, ie G55 etc. etc.  This G55 is generally setup in a position of my choosing, usually a piece of tooling block, glued to the fixture somewhere, in which i have machined a blind hole.  I now EXPORT this 3d model, and the tooling block with its blind hole,  with its "G55" workplane, as a .dgk model, which i can IMPORT into POWER INSPECT.

 

Imagine the part to be a Foam plug, 15m long, tapering from one end to the other.  During this whole process of setting up the job, setting up POWER INSPECT etc., the temperature has changed by 3 degrees.  My hole i machined in the tooling block is not where it was anymore, machine moving with heat/cold etc.  I now probe this hole, and the results come back that the hole position has changed in the X,Y and Z position.  I then do a BEST FIT. Powermill therefore creates a new "skewed" workplane, in relation to my original G55.  I then export this NEW workplane, and Powermill does this via an .IGES file.

 

I import this new "skewed" workplane, and post my next set of toolpaths using this new workplane, which will now re-align my toolpaths with my previous machining procedure.  I update this Workplane constantly, as the temperature changes constantly during the day, therefore keeping wihin tolerance of the part.

 

Hope this better explains things.

 

When i say importing this new skewed workplane, i mean to say that i import it into Powermill.  I would like to use this new "skewed" workplane in Mastercam if i could.

I was following along until you left out about the 10 or 15 steps involved here. Who, What, Where, When and How are missing here. You export a plane? Who or what is exporting the plane? What are the steps involved with getting to the point of exporting said plane? Are you probing the plane seeing your deviations and then from there using a software that gives you a skew? Is that Skew relative to something? Are you taking 4 points on your plane and then creating a plane through all 4 points? You say best fitting and that is more of a Quality term for measuring than a machining term. How are you going about the best fit? Lest Squares? How are you deciding your quality requirements for that best fit? Overall or just a central pivot point and then deviation from the measure plane back to the original plane is your control set? Sorry I have so many questions, but you left out way to much information. I would love to help, but I would need a lot more information about the process to really help dial it down.

 

You can make a Mastercam File with a WCS and a Surface Plane it in. You can Merge that File into a different Mastercam file and then you should be able to use that WCS. Would I do it that way? Never in a million years, but I would have developed a more robust process well before every getting to the point you are. Not trying to be snide with that remark, but you are past putting the cart before the horse. You have already built the road and put in gas Stations.

Hi "5th Axis Consulting"

I'll try and explain a bit better.

I have been using Powermill for the last few years, and have now switched back to Mastercam, after having it being my software of use at my previous companies.

In Powermill, when i bring in CAD, it brings in any existing Work Planes that were created during the building of the 3d Model.  As with any and most other programming software, i can now create workplanes i need for machining purposes, ie G55 etc. etc.  This G55 is generally setup in a position of my choosing, usually a piece of tooling block, glued to the fixture somewhere, in which i have machined a blind hole.  I now EXPORT this 3d model, and the tooling block with its blind hole,  with its "G55" workplane, as a .dgk model, which i can IMPORT into POWER INSPECT.

Imagine the part to be a Foam plug, 15m long, tapering from one end to the other.  During this whole process of setting up the job, setting up POWER INSPECT etc., the temperature has changed by 3 degrees.  My hole i machined in the tooling block is not where it was anymore, machine moving with heat/cold etc.  I now probe this hole, and the results come back that the hole position has changed in the X,Y and Z position.  I then do a BEST FIT. Powermill therefore creates a new "skewed" workplane, in relation to my original G55.  I then export this NEW workplane, and Powermill does this via an .IGES file.

I import this new "skewed" workplane, and post my next set of toolpaths using this new workplane, which will now re-align my toolpaths with my previous machining procedure.  I update this Workplane constantly, as the temperature changes constantly during the day, therefore keeping wihin tolerance of the part.

Hope this better explains things.

Hi "5th Axis Consulting"

I'll try and explain a bit better.

I have been using Powermill for the last few years, and have now switched back to Mastercam, after having it being my software of use at my previous companies.

In Powermill, when i bring in CAD, it brings in any existing Work Planes that were created during the building of the 3d Model.  As with any and most other programming software, i can now create workplanes i need for machining purposes, ie G55 etc. etc.  This G55 is generally setup in a position of my choosing, usually a piece of tooling block, glued to the fixture somewhere, in which i have machined a blind hole.  I now EXPORT this 3d model, and the tooling block with its blind hole,  with its "G55" workplane, as a .dgk model, which i can IMPORT into POWER INSPECT.

Imagine the part to be a Foam plug, 15m long, tapering from one end to the other.  During this whole process of setting up the job, setting up POWER INSPECT etc., the temperature has changed by 3 degrees.  My hole i machined in the tooling block is not where it was anymore, machine moving with heat/cold etc.  I now probe this hole, and the results come back that the hole position has changed in the X,Y and Z position.  I then do a BEST FIT. Powermill therefore creates a new "skewed" workplane, in relation to my original G55.  I then export this NEW workplane, and Powermill does this via an .IGES file.

I import this new "skewed" workplane, and post my next set of toolpaths using this new workplane, which will now re-align my toolpaths with my previous machining procedure.  I update this Workplane constantly, as the temperature changes constantly during the day, therefore keeping wihin tolerance of the part.

Hope this better explains things.

I am currently using a stand-alone probing software.  It works great.  I machine big plugs for the Marine industry using a Poseidon 5780, with a 18m x 6m x 3m machining area, and because the machine is basically in a tin shed, temperature affects my tolerances to a huge degree.

Anyway, i generally start of by machining a hole in a piece of tooling block.  This hole is my reference hole which i use for "Re-aligning" my Work Plane as i work through the day/night.  I can probe this hole after a few hours of machining, do a "BEST FIT", which creates a new Work Plane for me, which i then export as an ".IGES" file, which off course is empty, bar the new Work Plane.

My question is:

I can "File Merge/Pattern" this ".IGES" file, and obviously it is empty, but i was wondering if it brings the Work Plane with it, and is there a way of "Activating" this work plane in my Plane Manager, and setting this as my new WCS???

Any other ideas? 

Thanks guys, trying a different route now

New guy starts, cutting a 8mm, 4-start thread on the TOS manual lathe.  Finishes job before smoko, and heads off for his brake.  The boss comes in the workshop to polish a shaft for his motorbike.  Spindle speed set to max, 3000rpm.  Everyone knows what happens next..... new guy left lead screw engaged.  Welded the toolpost to the 3-jaw chuck.  New guy didn't even finish his cup of coffee

Hi guys

I am trying to set up my probing/probe.  I have now heard through our local Mastercam salesman that this "ad-on" software "Productivity +" ONLY functions with a Renishaw probe?????  Is anyone else using the "in-built" probing software within Mastercam, using a different brand of probe?

I have a MARPOSS - T25 probe.

Cheers

Justin

Thanks guys.

Oh, yes, sorry, that i get.  Can i change the NC name for the whole machine group, so that they all post out with the new NC name, or do i have to change each toolpath individually?  It's like Mastercam assigns an NC name for the whole toolpath group once you add your first toolpath to the group, but, can i then change the "group" NC number, or is this all individually done?  Does that make sense?

When you load a new Machine Group, and then create your first toolpath, Mastercam asks you for a new NC name.  So, you go ahead and put one in.  Now lets say you use a certain number sequence for your machine, for example.....100101.

So someone else comes along and opens a copy of your "project", and wants to post these toolpaths to their machine, but wants to rename the NC name to their specific numbering sequence, for example.....200101...., where do you change this????

Also, can i give every toolpath within in machine group a different NC name to post with????

Cheers

Justin