I do the same thing Ron. I've got a 'Post Info.doc' file that I add to constantly with graphics similar to the above.

no toolpath is saved in a ge3. Not until V7 did Mastercam save toolpath in the model. In V6 and earlier the toolpath was only saved as a NCI file. So bringing a GE3 in is only good for geometry.

V9 will open GE3 files. Then saved as a V9, X2 will open V9 files.

rotdir2$ = -vecx #Direction add the minus sign

as a test, try disabling the hardware acceleration under troubleshooting in the video properties. You should also turn off the Use unified back/depth buffer in the nVidia settings.

probably a video card problem. XP or Vista? what card do you have? what date of the video driver?

Bob, Assuming I'm correct on the C, I've used: rotaxis1$ = vecx #Zero rotdir1$ = -vecy #Direction rotaxis2$ = vecz #Zero rotdir2$ = vecx #Direction with C as the primary, B as the secondary

so from a top view it looks like this?

Bob, check all the XYZ components in the MMD and make sure they are set to the correct axis and direction. So I think you are saying that the B tilts to the left, rotates CCW as a negative move. So B0 to B-90 is the general work area. Which direction is positive for the C axis?

what are the current values of: rotaxis1$ rotdir1$ rotaxis2$ rotdir2$ Is the a VMC or HMC? If HMC, is your base plane the 'Front'?

problem is that the angles would be based on what the post made it. In other words Mastercam doesn't know what the angle is, i.e. A B or C or which 2 angle components to use, until it uses the machine def/post. I'd bet they could write a function to analyze this now that we do have info built into the machine def. Maybe someone could write a chook?? May Ernie? This would seem to fit into his Verisurf functionality

quote: MC Lathe 9 ...Oh, I forgot, Chris the X hold out

it sounds to me like you guys don't use the stock def in Lathe. If you set a stock def and talk the ops to use the stock def and update it then MC should not hit stock and willpull out of ID work before going home.

right now the only full post 'book' is the V9 Post CD. Resellers have been asking CNC about the status of a new complete manual but as far as I know we have not gotten any reply.

the problem would be that your part zero could be anywhere in the machines volume. So if you set the part up on the left edge of your table, you would have no travel to the left but tons to the right. Mastercam would need to know where on your table the part is setup. With the machine def component parameters you can kind of set this but you would need to alter this in the machine def for every part you set up. You would not be able to post the file until you knew exactly where the part was on the table. In future releases of Mastercam, the machine def will be able to drive machine simulation. But again not really usable unless/until you know all this position info.

Ernie, do you have a 'part notes' version yet? is the data in the 'part notes' available in any way to the posting system?

tip # 2 - if outputing something with outputing the 'real' value, ie F#9, be sure to update the variable like it was output. code: plinout pbld, ..., [if prv_feed <> feed, "F", 35, "9"] !feed #update variable

it mis installed when you install optional machine defs

tip # 1 - the pound sign (#) can not be output, you need to use the ascii value in the post, 35. www.asciichart.com

Ernie, I got the Verisurf menu fine. Colin, holeaxis works for solids but sometimes it can be a little hard to select the cylinder. Rickster, the notes in the notepad are not file specific. The note is saved and displayed even if you don't have a mcx open. So your layers idea may still be the best for specific file notes. See JP's request above.

Chris, I think Peter Martin from Preci in VT has some of these. He is PeterM here and his email is [email protected]

thanks ernie, good luck at westec

ernie, new build of reverse fixed the FT problem. could you put file open/save ability into the notepad?

notepad works cool, and I like the calculator there also

Ernie, problem, I probably shouldn't have installed it with 'Reverse' installed