Thanks for all the help. The result of what Thad suggested worked exactly as I needed.

Thanks for all the help. I did what Thad suggested and reposted the file with the TRIM to the FTP site as MC9 FlesCAST TEST.MC9. I tried your file Beej, but got an error on the restmill operation when I tried to regenerate - "problem with solid face"??? Thanks anyway.

Thanks for the quick response. I will try this as soon as I get back in the office and let you know how it worked out.

I have uploaded a file named CAST TEST.MC9 to the MC9 directory on the FTP site( Cast Test MC9 File ). I am trying to rough machine the interior pocket surface where the stock is a casting with the top of stock at an angle rather than horizontal. Is there a way that I can reduce the amount of "air cuts" (look at the front view to see how the toolpaths spend a lot of time in the air)? I quickly made this file as a test piece (I know that I could cut this with a standard pocket cut, and not use surface, however I would have the same problem with the pocket cuts). I already searched the forum and downloaded Iskander's Lazy Tricks for Remachining, checked using STL files for stock in verify, and looked at trimming toolpaths. I can trim the toolpaths to a boundary, but I would like to trim these to an angled top of stock. So far the only method I found was to manually edit the toolpath once it was created. Thanks in advance for any help.

You have mail.

I am not sure I understand. Could you e-mail a print or sketch including the helix note?

I might not understand your layout correctly, but I believe that if the lead is 3.125", then the form on the roll should "feed" 3.125" per revolution of the roll. Along the 36" roll will be approximately (just under)12 full turns. I am not sure what else they could mean by a 3.125 lead helix in 36 inches. You only need to use the circumference to calculate the flat pattern of the helix.

I have used Agie posts for years, and have used Mastercam's MPWAGIE.PST to work some custom changes. If I can be of any help, please e-mail me and I will do what I can.

Fadal also uses a G17 Q#### to provide A axis mapping. The Y axis is mapped to the A axis. I have used this in the past with good success. Programming in Mastercam is simply XY 2D, and then the G17 Q#### makes the conversion. I have found that this gives the smallest file size while allowing simple modifications to the toolpath. If this works for you, contact me and we could talk about the post that I modified for a customer. It's not perfect, but it works well for them. If you would like, e-mail me and I can get you more information. HTH.

Sorry I did not get back an answser sooner - I have been out of the office on a job (working split 3rd - 1st shift times) and only have a slow dialup internet access in my room. Work at night and sleep during the day. MCAM Newbie explained it better than I did. Any other questions, I will try to get back to you sooner. HTH

Zero Return - "Homes" the machine (X, Y, Z axes). On HMC - this is usually the pallet change position. On VMC's and Turning Centers, this is machine home (usually all axes at a maximum travel position). G28 will send a machine home, but it must be used along with other commands or the results can be disastrous. G28 X0 Y0 Z0 - sends the machine home in the XYZ directions after FIRST moving TO the point X0, Y0, and Z0. If Z zero is the face of the fixture or chuck, the tool can be driven through the part before returning home. X0/Y0/Z0 does not cause the tool to move home, this is a point to move through prior to going home. G91 G28 X0 Y0 Z0 - puts the machine into incremental / relative which tells the machine to first move zero in the X Y and Z direction and then go home. This zero incremental move will not crash, it just causes the tool to go directly home (the X0,Y0,Z0 is used to tell the machine which axis should be homed - a G91 G28 Z0 would ONLY home the Z axis). Turning centers often use G28 U0 W0 to send the X and Z axis home after an incremental zero move. On a HMC or VMC, G53 G28 X0 Y0 Z0 is used to send the axes directly home by using the Machine Coordinate System to tell the machine to move home after first going through the point X0 Y0 Z0 measured from the Machine Zero (Home). Finally, the G50 command is used to both clamp the maximum spindle speed on a turning center when using Constant Surface Speed, or to set the current position display. G50 S2000 clamps the maximum spindle speed at 2000 rpm. G50 X1.0 Z2.0 sets the current display to show X1.000 Z2.000. This is the same as the G92 command on some controllers (FANUC). Sorry this got so long, but it is critical that you understand this command - it can quickly CRASH. HTH

I'm in. Thanks for a great service. I am glad to help keep it going.

The following web page has information on bottle thread design. I used this for a project that I worked on last year. http://www.plasticbottle.com/techinfo/spi.html

I've programmed both Allen Bradley and PLC Direct PLC's. By far, Allen Bradley is my choice - local and corporate support is excellent and the product quality is second to none. Would be glad to help out if you have questions.

I would think an EDM finish. I have seen charts that show the finish at various power settings. HTH.