hey Ployd, if i am using advanced axis control, where is the clearance set? When i use the regular 5 axis swarf (non advanced), all of my values are set to incremental, absolute is turned off, i dont get the option. and is the link you are referring to the "last exit 'back to clearance area'"? Thanks again

hey guys, thanks for the response, let me look into it, thank you!

Hi all, i have jumped on the 5 axis toolpath bandwagon for the first time and i am trying to figure out a few things. Quick setup: we recently bought a Tr-Tech 5 axis head attachment for our Haas, and it came with its own Post processor, specifically the M5400Post. I can and will call them for this technical issue, but they are not open yet in California, so i thought i would turn to the forums in case someone else has ever experienced this. My problem is like this. When ever i finish a toolpath, and say the tool is done at a 45 deg angle, the post processor wants to put in a G49Z0 command and that basically removes all information about the tool and sends the tool back to zero wich could ruin my part depending on the angle that the cutter was left at. Now i have never programed a 5 axis before, so i was wondering, is it neccessary to put in say a 3d geometry point that acts like a lead in and lead out, or is the post supposed to handle this for you? The mastercam post is fine, but the machine requires we process the NCI thru their processor and that is what adds these issues, not mastercam. anyways, thank you for the help.

Hi guys, i am new to this 5 Axis thing and i had a few questions pertaining to the Swarf toolpath. Basically i have a curved wall that is around 5 deg and i would like to run a flat mill along the inside of the wall rather than go the Surface Contour route. I know you have to select the surfaces (check) and the bottom curve (check)and the top curve (check) and i even go to "sync by entity" under options, but i still get this error when i try to finish the toolpath: EXCEPTION RAISED INSIDE CALCULATION ROUTINE. TILT ANGLE CANNOT BE APPLIED Any ideas or suggestions? I even projected my curves unto the surface to make sure they are the same. I get this even if i try the Advanced 5 axis. Thanks for the help.

Thanks Phil, and that is kinda what i am running into as far as covering all of the different variables that go into determining speed and feed. For example, Iscar might suggest 400 to 600 SFM for cutting 2024T3 and mastercam will use 400 SFM which in comparison is on the low end, now i can adjust that accordingly but another manufacturer will suggest 600 to 800..which is correct? They all are to some degree, it just depends on so many factor, condition of tool, length of cut, ect. I know what your saying and i agree, but it is just hard to tell that to someone that does not want to listen. whew! felt good to get that out. thanks.

thanks guys, i hear and know all you are saying, but my boss is more of the "this week we do it this way" kind of guy. Very frustrating i know. I told him i could get very good starting numbers using the handbook, it is there for a reason, and he has even gone so far as to have me call the tool manufactures to see what formula they use and i have to combine that with what he thinks when he is walking by and hears the machine run. Well i knew i could find any magic answers, basically i think i just need to vent. i hope he gets over this very quick because it is seriously affecting my work flow. And to make thinks more interesting, he has managers writing up machinists that touch the g-code..haha..anyways, thanks for the input guys.

hey guys, let me start my detailing my position and how things operate at my current place of employment. In the past, well at least in the last eight years i have been here, i would program a part and then getting the feed and speeds in the ball park, the machinist would be responsible for the final set numbers used in the actual running of the part. Ok, fast forward to this week, now the boss wants the feeds and speeds set in the CAD room and these are not to be change, which i am actually ok with, to a degree, but i am running into an issue that i dont see an easy fix for. basically i have gotten feedback from all of my machinist and the numbers they end up using do not reflect in any way the formula driven numbers from the machinist's handbook. how can i attempt to compensate for feeds and speeds that they are using strictly from experience? I can change my material parameters to reflect any speeds and feeds they want, but by using this "calculator" it is not going to match their numbers if they seem to change them on a "whim" or "gut feeling". Sorry for the long post if you managed to make it this far, maybe you might have some suggestions? Thanks.

Hi, i was wondering if someone might have any ideas about this problem. Basically the Toolsetter is posting Diameter offsets and our Fadal is Alarming on a negative tool offset, error is "attempting to switch sides without G40" Can the Fadal be set to accept Diameter Actuals? And do we need to use "wear" cutter comp or "control" to use offsets? I personally dont understand the question, but the toolsetter wanted me to ask, so if anyone has any insight into this questions, please let me know. Thank you.

thank you very much Terry, i will check that out right now.

thanks guys, i think i am just going to go big and ugly and they can either reject it or not. from the way it sounds, they shouldnt really be too picky. Thanks again

hmmm....i do have access to those, but i dont think we charged the customer for that kind of detail work.

Hey guys, i have a question that hopefully someone will be able to help me out with. I am doing a part for a customer and they call out for a Surface Texture Tolerance of 500. Would anyone know what kind of stepover that would mean for a surface toolpath, preferably Parallel Finish? Thank you so much.

thanks for the responses guys, i will try out what you said, thank you

Hi, i was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. i am needing to creat a 3d surface, which will in turn have a lot of raised bumps on it, much the the reverse of a golfball. the kicker is that it is on a curved surface. Any ideas? I have access to both solidworks and mastercam. Thank you very much!

Hello all, well the subject lines says it all. I am desperately looking for a springback chart that covers O materal. I have been using a Fairchild standerd chart for the last six years and it has always worked more or less, but my boss is suddenly suggesting that i need to find a Boeing chart that covers this..who knew? Anyways, i would appriciate any help you could give me on this matter, thank you. Oh by the way, my material is .064 2024-O and according to my usual chart i should make a springback of around 2 deg and 45 min. Thanks again.

Hey hardmill, i figured people would say that, but although that is feasible, the boss man insists it can be done, so i am giving it the ol' college try and looking "outside the box" as he likes to say when he doesn't like my ideas.

Hi, i was wondering if maybe someone has heard of knows something about what i am asking. Basically i am looking for a way to post a program to 5 different machines, with 5 different(.pst's), with one click of a button or something like that. Example: we have a Fadal, 2 Haas (different bed sizes) a xxxxor, and a multicam Router. I never know which machine will get what program because it all depends on need and space, so i usually have to post for multiple machines and if it gets run on that machine, good, if it does not, fine. Is this making sense? I would like to be able to do this all in one action, either with a c-hook or whatever. If there are any programmers out there that could do this, my boss would be willing to pay for something like this, so dont hesitate to give me a price. Thank you in advance.

haha..the boss wants it that way, i just follow orders. His business, his plan. Iwill also change the plunge rate, thanks for the help guys!

Thanks John, I try that right now.

How about this guys..my material is 3.1 thick, i have set the feed plane to 3.2. Is there a way i can get the tool to rapid down other than change the Feed number? I am getting a real slow downward feed and i was thinking maybe incremental vs absolute might be my problem? Thanks for the help.

Thanks guys..i cant use the filter option because our xxxxor does not accept it. I was just trying to make the parallel cut go faster without having to resort to another type of tool path. Thanks.

Hey guys. I was wondering, and i suppose this is a rookie question, but what exactly do these two values mean? For example, i am surfacing a small dome part, and i was forced to use a parallel tool-path (dont ask) . So when the tool gets real deep, the machine slows down on the downward feed as it jumps over the hump., and that is what i am trying to change. Any suggestions would be appriciated, thanks.

Hey Juan, have you updated your drivers for your card? As the previous post said, what do you currently use?

Hey Juan, You can just farm your work over here and make everyone happy.

Thank you Ray H. a little wisdom goes a long way.