Is there any quality ER Collet manufacturer that offers relieved collets from the back? We are machining slugs on a vertical mill and that requires a longer slug to overshoot the length of the collet clamping surface to prevent damaging the collet. The 5c is relieved and doesn't have this issue and additionally allows for a dead stop and can handle different shapes...flexible. One can argue accuracy but if you are machining a finished part on a 5-axis from a slug, it doesn't have to be perfect. If ER Collets can be ordered relieved from the back, that would solve the long slug issue. With everything considered (accuracy, flexibility, etc.)    5c vs ER-40...which is better? Light high-speed milling on small workpieces will be performed on bar stock cut into slugs or ordered as slugs. There will also be C-axis milling performed as well. 

Thanks! I may have to experiment with stack (have not used it before) as currently I'm using a lookup table which is simple in logic and fine for machines with 30 or less pockets but when you have a horizontal with 330 pockets...yikes!

Can someone explain the logic behind the enhanced tool table variable tt_count$.  If the tool is not called up, tt_count$ = 0, if the tool is called up for the first time, tt_count$ = 1, but if a tool is called up more than once, the tt_count$ will be some random number and not what I thought. If I called up a tool twice (not back to back), I'll get tt_count$ = 6. when I was expecting 2.   Why?

If it represented the actual number a tool was used, logic for sequence numbers would be a lot easier as compared to buffer files or lookup tables. Our shop likes to have a tool sheet that has a unique N number to search for representing not just the tool but the specific time the tool was called up. Buffer files work and I use them but I'm thinking that if I go to the enhanced tool tables for new posts, the logic would be more readable. Any help greatly appreciated.

works perfect!

Thanks,

Jerry

I gave it a shot and it outputs the tool info and only the first tool path comment. In the example toolpath above (T91), it worked as far as one op, one output but when I had a tool with 3 ops, it only output the first tool path comment. Almost there.

The task is to create a tool/op sheet showing all the ops under a specific tool. I'm trying to extract the tool path comment for each op of each tool. The problem I have is the tool comment repeats for each chain of a milling op and/or ops with multiple passes and depth of cuts but is fine on drilling. I use the parameter lookup in my ptooltable$ logic. The below has an op using T91 that has 2 radial passes and 2 step depths which ends up outputting RGH .400 SLOT four times when I only want one to represent the actual name of the op. Any suggestions?

what it is:

T91 | N9100 | | 3/16" 3FL. CARB ENDMILL .015 RAD | H91
RGH .400 SLOT | D91 |
RGH .400 SLOT
RGH .400 SLOT
RGH .400 SLOT

what is should be:

T91 | N9100 | | 3/16" 3FL. CARB ENDMILL .015 RAD | H91

RGH .400 SLOT | D91 |

code pertaining to sopcomment:

fprmtbl 101 7    #Operation - tool table
     1013      sparameter$
     15239    sopcomment
     15346    comp_type
     20001    strtool$
     10094    sdescriptfield
     20021    supmf_id
     15240    op_num

ptooltable$
     if tool_info > 1,                                                                            # tool_info is initalized to 3 which puts Tooltable in header - with tool comments at T/C
        [
        result = fprm(101, 0, 0)                                                         # get the data from parameter lookup
        pgettoolinfo
      
        s_t_pre_tt = s_t_pre$, s_d_pre_tt = s_d_pre$,              # Copy prefix string for Tool number and cutter comp number
        s_h_pre_tt = s_h_pre$                                                          # Copy prefix string for Tool length offset
      
        # Output tooltable line

           if tt_state$ = 1 | tt_tool$ <> tool_prev,
              [
              "                                                                                                                                                ", e$
               n$ = tt_tool$ * 100
               *tt_tool$, sdelimiter, *n$, sdelimiter,*supmf_id, sdelimiter, pstrtool, sdelimiter, *tt_tlngno$, e$
                    if tt_drlcycle$ = -1 & comp_type > 0  &  comp_type < 4,
                        [
                        sopcomment, sdelimiter, *tt_offset$, sdelimiter, *scomp_type, e$
                         ]
                    else,
                        [
                        sopcomment, e$
                        ]
              ]
           else,
              [
               sopcomment, e$
              ]          
        ]

The unblock worked. Thanks!

fixed.  In the machine definition file, under B-axis -Continuous type, select the Signed continuous. Previously I had it set to Shortest direction. The post then output negative and positive values for the B-axis to determine direction. We tested a few op types like multi-axis drilling as well as multi-axis flow and all went well. The credit is due to an individual on the www.Mastercam.com  forum under the same topic...gotta give the credit  to the person who found it.

Thanks to al that contributed to this topic. It ended up being a nice easy solution (download, unblock, and double click). Let the learning begin!

 I can't get Mastercam to output a minus sign on B axis moves when it changes directions on a HAAS EC-1600ZT Horizontal. I researched the forum and did not find anything conclusive. I was informed HAAS machines need the minus sign for direction. I'm on Mastercam 2019. The WCS plane is TOP and the Tool/Construction Planes are FRONT and the operation is a multi-axis flow with the tool orientation set to 4-axis for output format and Z-axis for Rotary-axis. It seemed like this challenge has been around for sometime in the earlier versions but is there a fix in either 2018/2019/ or 2020? Any suggestions?

Thanks, JCDFCM

  I downloaded the Multi-axis help file from myMastercam and the file ModuleWorks_-_Documentation.chm comes in. Where do I put it and how does it work? I dragged it into the installation directory \Program Files\Mastercam 2020\Mastercam\help\en-US directory and was hoping to see it when I clicked the help icon but no luck. Any Suggestions?

Thanks

What percentage of cutting tools do you run over 30,000 rpm?  We too were kicking around the idea of a BT40 cartridge for our 20,000 rpm machines for more value but the Haimer balancer was mainly considered for the 46,000 rpm Matsuura. The cutting tool diameters range from .015 - .125 and the material is a variety of stainless and Titanium. HSK-E40 is the taper. Do you notice better surface finish and better tool life on cutter assemblies that are balanced? Is it marginal or substantial? On paper and an assumption, the answer is "yes" but I would like to know from someone that actually uses it as an HSK-E40 heat shrink from a high end vendor is extremely cylindrical without notches and runout is minimal to begin with...and a good balancer is not cheap.

Thanks, JCDFCM

We plan on investing in a climate controlled room with the proper foundation and are looking into a Haimer balancer with a Haimer heat shrink machine as well...your thoughts on the Haimer balancer? Is it worth the investment? I believe Big Kaiser may have some boring heads on HSK. This is a huge investment and homework needs to be done. Thanks for the replies.

JCDFCM

Does anyone have experience with either one of these two machines or any other linear motor machines? They are expensive to say the least. Our parts fit in one hand and usually consist of the exotic materials with close tolerance (true positions between .001-.004). We don't like to get too wrapped up into specs such as scales of .010 micrometers or .0001 mm scale feedback as both machines are all insanely precise but we would like opinions of actual positioning accuracy as well as repeatability in X,Y,Z,B, &C axis (pallet change repeatability as well). Also any feedback on long term maintenance would be great.

Basically what are we getting ourselves into regardless of which machine we get. Besides a good balancer and  precision holders, thermal systems, etc., what other factors should be considered. Has anyone had either machine for more than 5 years. If you had to do it all over, would you get another linear motor machine?

Thanks, JCDFCM

    Working for a big company, there are many new systems, standard procedures, security controls not to mention new IT personnel...could be a while before this is resolved. I can at least use the debugger and continue to modify posts when necessary. Thanks again. When the solution is found, I'll reply with what ended up allowing me to use debugger from my login.

Thanks for the advice...one step closer as I can now run Mastercam 2018 as administrator and the bug icon shows. When you say admin rights for my login, is that the same as  modifying my security permissions (for the Mcam2018 folder) to match administrators permissions which is set at Full control? Does it have anything to do with Network File and Folder sharing when you right click properties on the Mcam2018 folder?

I have the same problem...I enabled the post debugger through the advanced configuration with no luck. I also tried powering down, then entered advanced configuration again to double check that the debugger was still enabled (it was) but still no bug icon. Went back to the previous version X9 and that worked fine.  I also made sure I was current on updates in Mastercam 2018 as well.

What else could it be?

After I hit Define Shape in the Safety Zone dialog, it prompts me to select entities and I select a circle, then end selection. This brings me to the dialog that allows you to select or modify the shape, the size, etc. but it defaults to a rectangle and does not allow me to select or modify anything in the dialog box such as change to a cylinder for the shape and input the radius. My machine definition is for a 5-axis mill. Any suggestions?

Thanks, JCDFCM

Thanks to all for the feedback. Though all products are solid, ICAM looks to be a safe bet. Has anyone used ICAM's interface kit for Mastercam? If so, your thoughts, pros and cons.

Thanks, JCDFCM

   Working for a big company with many CNC machine tool types (5-axis trunnion, 5-axis gantry,Y-axis Lathes, multi-tasking Lathes, etc.), many machine tool vendors, a variety of controls, and 3 different CAM systems, is Mastercam's MP the post processor development platform of choice for the long haul? The question is geared toward post-processing, simulation, and code optimization. I hear of 3rd party products like ICAM and Camplete and wonder which direction to go. Though we are transitioning into Mastercam and this is a Mastercam forum, is there benefits to 3rd party post processing development platforms? Like many large companies, a high percentage of CNC programs were generated from legacy CAM systems along with other CAM systems and the constant "move this part to this machine" will always exist. With that said, would it make sense to invest in a company like ICAM where they offer interface kits for a variety of CAM systems or just start the migration of re-programming everything in Mastercam and investing in MP? Camplete has their niche but its only for certain machine tool vendors. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks, JCDFCM

Mick,

   That's ok, this gives me a reason to go full bore on .Net. I can use the VBScript for basic odds and ends but will pursue the .NET API. So basically I can accomplish the same functionality above, it just has to be a NET-Hook and the .NET API will be maturing in the future while VBScript will be phased out?

Thanks, JCDFCM

Mick,

  Thanks for the prompt support...not used to good CAM support...coming from ProEngineer. I tried attaching the file and received the following message:   Error You aren't permitted to upload this kind of file. The file was a generic threadmill .operations-9 file which I selected one point for geometry before exporting out.  Your new script gives me plenty to absorb and experiment with...curious on the threadmill conclusion.

Thanks, JCDFCM

May have to try again at home...not sure what happened.

Here it is

Mick,

  I selected a point and ran the script with no luck...double checked the op filename and operation name inputs as well...still no luck. The VBScript help says it imports an operation by name and applies it to the currently selected points or chains. Any suggestions to try would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, JCDFCM