I looked at it alos and I did sync by points like I use to do for alot of my parts. I also turned on the filters and that did not seem to help. I took what plasttav had compared it to the origainl NC code and I still see the jog in there with the post I have to post it with. I have seen this in the verbose mode also. I have looked at it in flow and trying to see what it does right now. Let you know. Crazy Millman [ 10-15-2003, 12:52 AM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

The wealth of knowlegde is a great thing that anyone can have and hope to achieve to. I can personally atest to the great attitudes of the people who share their knowlegde in here. Rekd, Chris, James, Jay, Trevor, Jimmy, May^Day, Murlin, Jack, Roger, Mick, Scott Bond, Bucket Head, Toolfab, Gcode, Plasttav, Andrew, Bulliness, Thad, Dave Thomson, Chris M, Marc Linsdey, Cammando, Hardmill, Theepres, CMR, Harryman, and could go through 1000's more names of people I have seen in the short time I have been here that share in this community. I can also sit here and comment on the many people who come in here to pick a fight since I have been on here the short time I have. You have a alot of these memebers who have been on here for years not months like I have so they have more of an idea about people coming into this community. Like any community you are in if a person comes in giving bad attutide and doing things you have seen that you consdier as less than correct you are not going to bake an apple pie for them. I honestly think that you might say hey but not going to loan them you car to go run to the store. I try to do so much on here and post as much as I have cuase I got so much from the people in here i could never repay them for their help and i have personally asked some pretty off the wall stuff and got the help I needed. I am also someone who shares his knowlegde and have personally help 13 people get into this profession but have also sent a dozen others down the road who wanted to give nothing back to get the knowledge I was giving them. I personally did the early mornings, late nights and self teaching by taking books home for alot of what I have learned and if a person doesn't even show any intrest to try then I am not going to make them. I feel the same way about the posts. I went to work in a company where they were doing 5 axis work and I had to work out alot of the post problem on my own and did not know about this place. I dont claim to be the sharpest tool in the shed but I got it done. I have also done alot of the same things where I am at now and I am even going futher to get set-up sheet working the way I want and other things. I also have a wife and kid with a kid on the way and I am on the otherside of the country 2400 miles away where I lived for over 30 years. I am sorry but I still feel nothing ventured nothing gained and if you figured out how to run a CNC machine you can get a post that is on the Cd for typical stuff the way you want. I just cant see where someone is doing turn/mill or any other type of mulitaxis work which in itself is not common stuff and then think to come one here and expect something of that nature to be free and then that same person cant understand why people who are possbile their competion not willing to give them posts for free. I dont care if a boss is breathing down your neck. If that boss is willing to spend money on machine like this and then not do the research to make sure they could even run the machine and then not do research on a cam program to run it and then not think something that is almost like a fingerprint which is the post processor is not important. I ask all of the people who think they should be free please send me a fully working 5 axis post that fully supports all of the 101-106 and 301-306 tooloffests and tangancney factors for all the different vectors of a Thermwood router which for some reason everyone who sells it and supports it want over $2000 for. Or give me a fully functional post that will make thousands to possbile millions of dollars. I want this post to run every machine out there lathe, Mill, Wire, Screw Machine single turret, double turret, full traveling 5th axis machine out there, and I got a machine I might be desiging that will use 100 different axises so give me that one for free also. My email is up there I will be waiting for all the free post to pour in from all you free people that give that stuff away. I will also take a million dollars while your at it. My company adress in on the web-site just put it to my attention and I thank you advance. Crazy Millman Crazy Millman Welcome to the Forum Mazaic I was wondering if you ere trying to get close to Mazak in you own way with the name. [ 10-14-2003, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

I worked in one place we did really detailed clock and I worked at another place we use to throw $50,000 doolars charter parties for our customers so guess it depends what you got ot do to make the wheel of work flow. Crazy Millman

CMR can I give you soem ideas on Machining this heart. Get you some 2lb foam or some Modlin 210 foam and make you a bounding box around the part.I would then do an offset of that atleast the cutter and .05 the distacne. I would have the material at least 1" bigger than that to give it some meat. I would then do a surface rough pocket using the solid or surfaces as drive and the bigger box as the bounding box and insdie as the control. I would then do a surface/finish/scallop possbile to finish it. The files size you have is ok but nothing really big I have had some upwards 120 mb for just the model. If it giving you trouble do an anazle of the model and check to see it is good. It solids still gives you trouble create surfaces from solid on a seprate layer and then do a another mdoel hceck of just that and use .0005 ar a roleracne check and go from there that might help. Well if you get stuck let me know I will be more than glad to take a look and see if I can give you different idea how ot apporach it. Crazy Millman

Well Jamman as a newbie so to speak on here I can tell you that it is great all the thing avaiable now that where not avaiable in V8. I really think you will find the VB addation as well as the format different but done in a good way. I came from 8.1.1 to 9.0 and it took me a little while to find some things. I cma glad you were able ot convince them to get the right tool for the job where you are now. Hope to be talking to you alot on here I like you avatar. Crazy Millman

I would also look at parasoild as a translation format also and see if that will get you there but it will only do wifreame and surface or only soilds not levels and things of that such. I am wodnering if you can use the Nci files to maybe create some of the things you need. Crazy Millman

yeah Like I said before would hate to get more from this place in the way of swag than at my job. That along wit hthe yo-yo act I been getting for the last three months would problay drive me over the edge of the cliff. Crazy Millman keeps wating for the little white truck with the straight jacket to take him away.

Filter all the way seen it take 50 mb files and turn them into 8mb files. It make a smoother looking parts and doesn't make it look so faceted on the surfaces or in the curves. Also make sure you post is set up output arc move for your machine correctly. Crazy Millman

And See I have never used either for my 3-d toolpaths. I use parrelle or scallop or flowline for my finishing and love the results i get from those toolpaths. It is all realtive my way is not better than their way it is all in what you pefer and think and know works the best for you. I cma kinda calling the kettle balck but they everything and not just once and see whcih one suits you taste you liking ad nwill produce the parts you are looking for. Crazy Millman [ 10-14-2003, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

Nope they are what I call my help books. I have tried to put down everything I have learned on every machine I have a book for each one. I have a book for VB now I have book for Mastercam. I have book on Mil-spec and a book on Materails. I cant remember everything I every did but I can go back to my books and pick up where I left off and see all the things I thought was important. Crazy Millman [ 10-14-2003, 10:47 PM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

Thats funny!!!!!!!! lolol Crazy Millman

+1 T@T@TLO great cd I have already printed out about half of it to add to my book. I like to sit on the couch and read while my wife and daughter watch tv. Even though I am not giving them my full attnetion they still like I am there verse sitting at a computer reading. I understand everyone likes the paperless thing but some of us still like to read something from a book fromat verse a computer. Crazy Millman

+1 on Rekd I harldy every touch my posted program that last one I had problems with was a 4th axis part and it was the post had to end up with a new one all together. I waste more time putting out fires around this place than post issues. I understand your busy so like Rekd said explain that to your boss and if you dont have the time then give your dealler and example of what you consider a good program and one that mastercam post out and have him quote you on a cost to make it to your liking I think you will be suprised how much tne go back to him and say here is what I think it will take me to do it. Here is what we are losing per job the way it is and here is what the dealer want ot fix it. Or you could be so bold as I am I tell them I pay for the post mod out of my pocket if I am saving you 10 minutes everytime I post a program then you give me 10 dollars everytime the program is posted after about 10 or 20 times I think the light will come on. I had a job that was taking 2-1/2 hours each just to put holes in 4150 HT the way they were doing it. I tried everything I could think of to get the to get an inserted drill owner said we couldn't afford it. I bought the dame thing myself and cut 42 hours off the job from the last time we did it. I paid me back forthe drill and the inserts but you think I got anything more than that hell no. Life is what you make it you want to make it easier on you than make it you want it to be what it is then alwats will be just what it is. Crazy Millman Crayz Millman [ 10-14-2003, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

Thanks Guys as always you come through like a champ. I was thinking I was on the right track just wasn't really sure if you guy like have a bunch of NCI files for one part but I guess if you think about it in essense you really do cuase you need that for the NC files. Oh yeah I think I am getting a better understand of the buffers and how they can work on my past problem with the set-up sheet and the max-min question. If I get stuck on that I will put it back up just not had the time to mess with it anymore. I say a thnaks to you guys and appericate the help. Hey James my kid is due Dec 6, day before my birthday hows your doing been born yet. Good luck with that and I guess we go back to late nights. I will be having some fun soon in a 2 bedroom apartment with in-laws coming from Brazil anyone want to trade. J/K family is what makes it all worth it and the fact I really making crazy stuff helps too. Crazy Millman

I have looked all through the Post Help Reference guide. I do all of my program for a prt pretty much in one program just using different levels and using different Toolpath names. Examples as such 1STFACE which may have 20 operations to make up this program which I would like to have as program name then I could have 2NDSIDE which could have 8 operations and would like to have this as the next program name also and etc..... It is problay a easy fix but I can't seem to find it. I was going to sit here and type the 100's name that help so much on here but after about 20 names thought better of it. So I say I big thanks to all of you. This me trying to figure it out: Crazy Millman

This should say it all from their own web site. quote: Milling - 2, 2.5 and simple 3 axis with simple 4th axis positioning Turning - 2 axis turning and 3 axis milling (available with mill option) Advanced Milling - 5 axis rotary positioning Rotary Milling - Simultaneous rotary axis milling SolidSurfacer™ - Solid modeling and 3 axis surface machining (see SolidSurfacer™ data sheet for details) Hum let me see only rotary axis milling and only 5 axis rotary where as mastercam support full 4th axis milling as well as full 5th axis milling I know casue I do 4th now and have done 5th axis. They might have liked something that will only allow them to run with the puppies and not the big dogs. Just my 2 cents worth. Crazy Millman

Hey prosoft you got some good examples. If not take a look at the 7 4th AXIS.ZIP you are more then weclome to use it for you needs over there. If you want to tweak the toolpaths your are more than welcome to. That is an actual part that is in production and use in a consumer application that is about all I can say at this point but since you are not on Amercian soil they said it was ok. Crazy Millman

CMR will the chook on the FTP make surfaces on it. It is called stl2surf.dll and it is in the chook directory. I have not used it but sounds like a good candiate. Might work if you have a program to take the .3ds into and output a .stl. Crazy Millman

Sorry to Hear that Live_Wire i was 14 when I got started. I had a negibor who had a knee mill and a lathe and he use to race go karts and make things all the time. I got to help him make all kinda of things. I then took three years at high school while also taking my AP classes at regular school. I was arogant enough at your age that I pissed everyone off that took about 7 to 8 years to wear-off. I went to one place and they had a CNC-mill I applied and they asked me if thought I could run it. I told them hell yeah give me a book and I will get it done. I was lucky cause i had learned alot about programming and what they could do back in highschool so I was lucky enough to be given a chance. I kicked xxxx they were doing production on part and I showed them what soft jwas were for holding odd ball parts. It just made sense to me and clicked, but the big difference was I took the books home stayed after on my time and gave it 150% while all my freidn were off at the Bars drinking and doing stupid crqap I was learning and doing alot on my own time. I did that for about 7 years and befroe I knew it I knew more than most and been in about 12 places in that tiem span. Most people say this is a bad thing to do but If I didnt go after what I thought I shoudl have out of life I would still be runnign that same machine I started on making $9 to $10 an hour wishing I had taking so chances in life. I say find a school close to you or far from you and take soem classes but I promise you show soem inrest and your willing to put up with soem crap and people will show you. I also tell you this ask intellgent questions and stupid question keep notebooks on everything you do and everymachine you run. Dont be affraid to walk if the place isnt right or you are not getting anywhere. This is a dying profession and glad to hear you want ot get into it. Oh yeah one otehr thing I did from your age till about 26 was buy tool and more tool and more tools. I have about 5 toolboxes full of Machinist and handtools. I have my own Starrett GRade A surface plate as well as Gauge Block, to Andvil Thread Mics to 4" and Starrett outside,inside to 12" and a whole alot more. This was my motto If I had to borrow it I bought it. A real good place to look is in Pawn shops and olny pay 15-20% of book cost. Well I hope I have given you food for thought and wish you all the luck in the world. It is great you want ot learn mastercam but there is more to this job than just learning how this program works. I have some rocket tips right now that are over 42" long and will end up having a .09 wall thinkness customer want them machined on the od and held to a true position tolerance of .005 which is about .0007 in x and y and flatness tolerance of .005. If that sound like a lot that is a typical job around this place lately. Of cousre they dont think I am crazy for no reason. Crazy Millman whewwwwww did I type that. [ 10-14-2003, 01:19 AM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

You want ot go to a pretty place try Brazil up toward Natal. This is some of the best beaches I have ever seen. My wife, myslef, and our kid satyaed in a 5 star resort on the beach for 5 days for about $220 american. Amercian money was about 4/1 when we was there. My wire is from a city called Recife and they have beatiful beaches also. I will try to find some pictures and put them up. As far as today off you got that right James I have never had this day off since I started working. Crazy Millman [ 10-13-2003, 10:47 PM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]

Well CNC_GUY that also goes back to the old saying nothing ventured nothing gained. I am glad you got it figured out I use to always do my threads this way but I would run a finish cut then the finsh pass to make sure I fully deburred the thread if I was not using a full profile insert. One other tip I use to do when threading odd ball acme thread was to do get the size small insert and grind off the full profile and just do a shift using 2 different z offsets and make it the width I need without having to pay the minumin 10 insert price and get something that did not have to special made. If you are doing left/right outside and left/right inside can get very expensive quick if having to buy all of them. Crazy Millman

Well you can do what I have done. I create a point at the origin. I then create a leader from the origin to a place outside the part. This can be done by create/drafting/leader. I then create a note telling saying this is the orgin and give a fixture offset. I create this by create/drafting/note. I then depending on the complexity of the part do an isometric view or top and front/side screen/next menu/plot and print it out along with my program which gives him a toollist min max on tool and if I realyl want to get fancy I take my Modifed HTML set-up sheet and will incorprate it with y saved gif on the mentioned above and print it all out. Here is what I am talking about on the set-up sheet: Set-up sheet example. I will be more than glad to send you the copy of what I got to but it doesn't work the way I want yet. I think Rekd Will pop up any sec and give you some better advice. Crazy Millman

Have you looked at the Html Setup sheet on www.emastercam.com and see if that fits your needs. Crazy Millman PS do a search and You will see alot of tpic talking about this thta might be some help also.

+100000 James Saving time and be more profitable is the biggest reason people even buy a cam program to begin with. Crazy millman

I will email you the gif to put up but right now I am trying to make him do magic and dissapper and reappear and well been a little strapped for time. I am also having very bad times withour netwrok and seems like we got some freakinbg trogans in the mix so trying to limit what I send out right now. I am getting about 2 virues a day at work I dont seem to get any at home but I have the firewalled to hell and back. I seen him and thought and that would be cool. I use to do alot of thing on the internet years ago like that but since I met my wife not much need to be chatting on here much until finding this great place. I use to have several CD's of things but no telling where they are now. I still have not found one I like to me when I do he will be a good one I hope. I have always been liek that though. I take months to decide on soemthing I really only want ot make most descision once just wish jobs would work that way. Oh well such is life sometimes you have to make the tough decisions. Crazy Millman PS just took a look you have no email send me an email I will send the gif back. [ 10-13-2003, 03:19 PM: Message edited by: Millman^Crazy ]