Thanks rsbeadle for your reply. Yes, it's really not right for the particular part I was doing, but it is a method that had not occurred to me. I will remember it for future parts though. It may be just the ticket. Thanks again.

Mill8.1.1 level 1. I've had quite a few parts with rectangular bosses on cavity floors this past year. After roughing the pockets, I've really liked to finish the bosses with a contour ramp cut, rolling cutter around the corners, staying in the cut until final depth is reached. The last job had bosses requiring a ball endmill be used at the base of the boss and sharp corners a must. Using none for roll cutter during ramp did nothing for me. MCam still rolled the toolpath around the corners. I had to resort to depth cuts and keep tool down to finish the part, resulting in slight waste of time. Sorry to see this, I really do like the contour ramp feature, but wish the none setting worked with it. Does anyone know of another workaround? Thank you.

If you'd like to see some cnc guitar mfg., look at www.cncmagazine.com the trade mag by Haas. Look for the spring 99 back issue.There's some pretty impressive stuff being done by Fender Custom Guitars. [ 09-03-2001: Message edited by: Estop ] [ 09-03-2001: Message edited by: Estop ]

Thank you Jay.

I think that left right is for marching, not for compensating in a traditional way. If a smaller tool is used, or more material needs to be removed a negative offset value is entered into the control. With left right that same negative value would offset the tool to leave even more material. I just don't know anyone who has ever thought of cutter compensation from the backside of their tool. Interesting idea though.

In programs-accessories-system tools-system information-tools-system configuation utility, general tab. Normal, diagnostic, or selective startups can be selected.

Why would you need to do that? It's my understanding that the x,y,z, edit controls at the left side of the job setup box define where the chosen corner is from the part's zero point, and is mainly (only?) used for visual verification. Is this correct?

Thanks for the replys. I understand left hand tools, but what I'm puzzled about is the minus sign before the spindle speed. My post based on mpfan.pst ignores it and codes out Sxxxx M04, but one based on mphur.pst (for a hurco control) posts out S-xxxx M04, which is what is appearing in the spindle speed edit control. This happens in V8.0 and V8.1 both. However it Only happens if the tool icon is accessed by right clicking from the tool parameter sheet of the operation. Thanks again for the replys.

Can anyone tell me why or of what use it is that when in the define tools and upon the parameters tab, if ccw is selected for spindle rotation, then when the box is closed and I'm back on the tool parameter sheet for an operation the spindle speed will then have a negative value. This caused one of my posts to output negative rpm's, which the control didn't like too well. I have the post modified to compensate for this nifty feature, but I'm just wondering why it exists.

This forum is really great. Been following it for a few months, and finally registered. Lots of good info here, and have had several issues resolved just by reading the posts and replies. Moved from SmartCam (good program), to Mastercam(better program) with version 7.0. Currently using 8.0 and think its awesome. [This message has been edited by Estop (edited 03-25-2001).]