So am i imagining things guys? Am i the only one that sees something funny happening on that part? Maybe sweep is the wrong way to go? it is certainly the easiest, but maybe there is just not enough information tom accuratly sweep that profile?

hey guys, thanks for the help, but it is basically the same thing i am running into with help from the other members. Did you see how the part seems to dip in the middle and then flair up towards the round ends? I am not sure this is the way it is supposed to be? i know the material has to go somewhere when it reaches the crest, so maybe that is just the way it is? I only have a side view of the part from the customer, so i suppose i could say that they probably dont know the part will do that either, but it is the same result from many different members, so i think that is just the way it is. Maybe that projected flange just looks funny. Thanks for the help guys!

Hey John, thanks for the help, i have wrote you back. basically i can get that same result but i am not sure if the edge should look like that? or maybe it does..??

Hey Kevin, the part is just in the X3 directory, it is called "curve_sweep"

Hi guys, i am having a heck of a time trying to figure this one out and i thought someone on the forums might be able to give me a hand. I have put a file up on the FTp named "curve_sweep" and basically what i am trying to do is sweep this profile around a curve that is projected on a wavy surface..i guess it looks like an extrusion but i am going to cut it out of solid billet, but first i need to model the part! i would appriciate any help that anyone could give me. When i try to sweep the profile i always get errors. Thanks guys.

Hey guys, i have posted an add under the employment section of mastercam, but i thought i would also put something here in the forums. We are a company located in san antonio and are actively seeking a full time programmer. If anyone is interested, please feel free to give me a call at 210-590-3133 X 238. Thank you very much.

hey Guys, i have looked over the forum and i was wondering if the new software x3 is any more friendly about trying to unroll a surface? Thank you.

Hey Guys, i am having a dilemma and i need some external help (forums). The basic idea is that i am trying to build an extrusion that would follow this cowling. I have a sample file that would explain things more than i could, but i cannot seem to upload it on the FTP. Could somebody help me with this? Thanks.

YES, IT IS NOT THAT GREAT, BUT FOR TEXAS, IT IS NOT THAT BAD, OR SPECIFICALLY I SHOULD (sorry for the caps..oops) say for texas, if you were to move closer to dallas or houston, you could easily double that.

Hey guys, i was wondering if there was anyone currently looking for a job in or around texas? This posistion is strictly for a programmer slot, not a programmer/machinist, and by that i mean you would not have to run a machine, only sit on your but all day and program various jobs. We would prefer someone that is flexible, not too uptight, for things around here change hourly if not daily and you would often be tugged in two directions at once, but i guess that is usually the case in the programming field. At least a few years experience with 3 axis work and solids. Solidworks would be a big plus, as would 5 axis experience. The salary would start around 45 a year i believe, but i guess that would depend on the extent of your knowledge. I am working on the boss for relocation expenses, but i guess that would depend again on experience. The job is located in San Antonio, Texas near the airport. Anyways, if anybody out their is interested, please feel free to respond. Thanks

hey guys, i have tried to send the file to the FTP, but it is not working, if you could see what i am trying to do, it would help immensly and probably be very easy for you guys. Any suggestions for uploading a quick file? Thanks.

thanks guys, let me try those out.

hi guys, i am having a problem trying to make a certain toolpath and i thought i would try to get some help here, if i could. imagine this if you will: i am making a die for our tube bending machine. i could have done this on the lathe, but someone with more clout than me wanted to try the 5 axis and here i am. i have done many toolpaths on the 5 axis, but they have always had cuts perpendicular to solid faces that i could easily determine, but this part is round, so my problem is how do i do this? the part is about 2 inches thick and i want to run a .375 ballmill 360 degrees around it with the 5 axis head at a 90 deg (think of an L), to create a recess for our tube to nestle into. I have tried various toolpaths from 5 axis curve to a 3 axis then 5 axis conversion, but it never seems to work. i apologize if this is vague, but i could provide more detail if needed. Anywyas, thanks for the help.

hey Ron, it is a Haas with a Tri-tech head attachment. the supplied post only read the NCI file and does not use the mastercam post at all. thank you for your help by the way, it is nice to know that there is always support somewhere. have a good one.

i noticed that too Ron, thank you very much. it is amazong what a little nudge will do for you in the right direction, it is very clear to me now..haha..BUT..i did have one more question, and i am sorry if i seem to be pestering you but i cannot get a hold of the guy who did our posts (john Billings, in case you have heard of him) and i am having a slight issue with some of the tool motions. basically whenever i am doing an arc motion the tool wants to stutter, almost like it is moving in little quadrant increments instead on a smooth sweeping motion, any ideas? Thank you so much for the help by the way.

Hey John, that did the trick! i am such a dunce! i am not sure what i was doing before, but it worked that time.

hey Ron, you have mail.

hey guys,i am having problems accessing the FTP, i have both Firefox and IE, any ideas? I was going to try and send the file to the FTP, but it is really just a 2 inch tall pyramid with a hole in one of the walls. maybe if i saw exactly what you guys are talking about, a lightbulb will go off in my little head? Thanks again.

Hey Crazy_millman, i am getting an "invalid arc" error, would that be post related? it says in the g-code that i am trying to angle the tool at -92 deg, but i am drilling a hole perpendicular to a 2 deg wall on a pyramid. Any suggestions? Hello [email protected]., when i choose the option for "points/lines" it never gives me the chance to pick any line geometry..only points and then it takes me back to the main window..any suggestions?

EDIT: when i spoke of the WCS i ment that when i pick my drill points, should i still be in the top construction plane or should i have a defined plane/posistion for every point?

Hey Guys, well i got so much help yesterday, i thought i would give it another try today. I searched thru the forum and couldn't find a post with my exact issue so i once again turn to the masses. Yes, this might seem a bit basic, but i have have read and re-read the help file on 5 axis drilling and i cant seem to get it down. My one question is this: When i use 5 axis drilling, do i have to use the WCS just like a normal 3 axis toolpath? And when i choose the "points/lines" option, when does it ask me for a line? or is the line just defined my the vector of multiple points? Sorry if i seem very slow, but i had 5 axis training like 2 months ago and we didnt get our machine in until last Friday. once again, thank you all for your help.

Thank you all for your help, i believe i got a handle (of sorts) on the issue.

hey guys, specifically i suppose CNC_Apps, our default machine definition is set for Head_table..should i change this? I am not sure what head-head is? And as far as using points, so if i was doing a swarf toolpath, much like directing the entry for a pocket toolpath, lets say i could just creat a point and choose that geometry first?

hey john, one question: i have used the clearance tab and that seems to be what i am looking for, but out of all the options, i cant seem to get the tool to retract at the exact same angle over a said distance, for example, the tool is stopped at a 52 degree angle, how can i make it retract at the same angle over a predetermined distance? Is the key in the exit macro options? Thank you

thanks john, i will try that.