Instead of using note from drafting, you can use CREATE ==> NEXT MENU ==> LETTERS You can choose your font. ie. BOX or STICK or ROMAN, etc. Then either use 2D CONTOUR or 2D POCKET. If you need it on a irregular surface, then use TOOLPATH ==> SURFACE ==> FINISH ==> PROJECT and select the 2D toolpath from Operation Manager by selecting tab FINISH PROJECT PARAMETERS and select NCI, pick toolpath to project, (if you want to add the deapth of the 2D toolpath, just click the button). One word of caution, sometimes the tool will stay "down" when going to the next letter. If this happens, go back to the parameter tab and select GAP SETTINGS. Under GAP SIZE use "distance" and make the number smaller that the distance to the next letter. This will force the tool back to the rapid plane. This works great in cavities with irregular contours.

HVC, That was cool . . . learn something new everyday . . .

Thanks, you have been very helpful.

3100+ not counting part time work . . . time for a vacation . . . kids grown and gone . . . just me and my wife and she works 2300+.

Welcome to the "hottest" source of information and lots of help in time of need. We get most of our stuff already in solids, but when I get only surfaces, I do what you did and have no problems.

I have had it happen on several occassions. Not sure of the cause, but when I save it under another name AFTER regen., I did not get it to repeat. I also had all ops in one group 'red line', but when I open the op (hit the neg sign), the red line goes away. If you discover what is happening, let me know. So far, no pernament damage has happen to my files.

From Main Menu ==> Screen ==> Configure goto tab "NC Settings" and click radial button "Operation Defaults" Open DEFAULTS.DF9 (inch) or DEFAULTM.DF9 (metric) Then open each tool and set your defaults. This will save you time when programming your tools.

Once you are satisfied with the tools geometry, create a MC file with geometry drawn -- half only. Give it a name and save to sub folder TOOLS. Then right click in Tool Manager ==> create new tool ==> select UNDEFINED ==> select CUSTOM FILE ==> select the files form the TOOLS folder ==> OK I think this should help.

Rick, Send me an e-mail on the "how to's" Thanks

Rick,

In this file, just change "pocket type" to "facing" and regen. This should get you started i the right direction.

been there . . . done that

Several methods can be used to do this: 1) Change the tol in the 2nd tab of the tool parameter dialog box 2) Use the "in system" filter (usually 2nd tab of surface tools) OR in the "total tolerance" radial button. 3) Use the nci filter after posting to an nci file found under the NC Utils menu. What type of toolpath are you using? I can better direct you to the right method to use.

How are you checking the dia/rad?? Are you using analyze or are you in drafting mode. If drafting, check you scale factor.

Try using AXIS SUBSTITUION under the ROTARY AXIS radial button in the TOOL PARAMETER dialog box. Then follow the 'yellow brick' road (fill in the blanks). This way you can use 'flat' geometry in any style of font you want.

What version of MC are you using?

Several of the input boxes can be converted to metric or to inch by typing in "mm" for metric and "in" for inch conversion. For example, in XFORM=>OFFSET, Just enter in the "offset distance" box "5mm" or "mm5", and it will yield "0.196850" The same is true for metric to inch conversion.

May this be a prosperous New Year to all. A hearty THANK YOU to all who have help make like easier with MasterCAM.

I echo gcode's response. Used many different type of machine, unfortunately, in this shop there are no Haas.

I just left a shop in October because there was no work schedule for Nov or Dec. I was their engineering manager and been there 12 yrs. After speaking with the shop foreman this morning, they only have minor repair work. Like the article said, "wait until January."

Thanks Gcode, that patch works fine.

Your picture is "cool", but I still like the sunshine. I spent a year in Faribanks, Alaska and I done fighting the "hawk."

Regradless of the outcome, let's not shoot guns (or bullets) into the air for the thrills. Rather, let use them wisely.

Way to go

I am not having problems with X_T conversions, but rather import without making the conversion from SolidWorks. Gcode, Do you have the patch? If so, can you e-mail it to me?