No problem Anthony! By the way gmenzies, I've spoke to your dealer yesterday, they will look after your license issue.

Hello gmenzies, 1. The 2D backplot is a little different than the 3D backplot, but it also has a slide bar to accelerate the process (If you don't see the slide bar, click "Setup" from the top menu and then click on "Show toolbars" in there, make sure to turn on the 2D backplot toolbar). This is how it works: when you slide it to the most right hand side, it does fast forward backplot; When you slide it to the most left hand side, it does fast reverse backplot. Anywhere between the middle to the right adjusts the forward backplot speed and anywhere between the middle to the left adjusts the reverse backplot speed. The 2D backplot also has a nice function called "Dynamic update" - means that when you have the both code window and backplot window side by side, you can make changes in the code window and you will see the backplot window updates right away. (Be sure to check on the "Dynamic update" under "Backplot 2D" on the menu bar) - I can't say too much here, but more and better functions are coming! 2. Many of our Mastercam customers do use the full version in Mastercam. Once you have bought the software, you will get a license.key file. Go to Mcam9CommonEditorsCeditCNCEdit4 and you will see a license.key file that came with Mastercam, rename it to license.old, then copy over the new license.key file. (Do NOT overwrite license.key files). That's it! P.S.: I'm on the road a lot for installs and service calls, so I don't normally have time to check the posts here. If I don't reply on the forum or reply on time for your questions, please contact your dealer or feel free to send me an email.

When you are typing the comments in tool path parameter page (the first one). If you just keep on typing pass one line length, the comments window will show word wrap but when you post it out, you will see it's a one line comments. Ctrl + M allows you to type multi-line comments. When you finish one line, do a "Ctrl + M" then you can start the next line... Try both ways and post it out then you'll see what I mean. HTH.

For Fadal users, here is something you could do to make CIMCO Edit easier for your file transfer: 1. To send file to Fadal memory: Under CIMCO Edit DNC Setup --> click the "Transmit" tab --> in the filed of "Send at start of feed:" type in TA,110 This way, if you leave Fadal in the command prompt mode then you can just send file from CIMCO Edit whenever you are ready. 2. For drip feeding, just change the TA,110 to DNC10 3. If you do both "Memory" & "Drip feeding", simply create two machines/configurations on CIMCO Edit with each settings so you don't have to change them. Just select the right one as you need. DNC-Max is not very expense either but it would offer much more than CIMCO Edit's "mini DNC". Ask your dealer for details if you are interested or you can download a 30day fully working demo by click on the CIMCO icon on the bottom of this page. By the way, have you checked out our Canadian DNC web site? http://www.dncsoftware.ca/

Check this out: http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...ic;f=1;t=004095

It might be the NC file format is not right. Does your machine manual show any NC file samples? Or maybe contact your machine dealer to get some and then have your post to be modified to output the right format (Main and Subs) then try it. Just a suggestion.

What are you trying to do?

Yes, split file is not as nice as drip feeding but it's a way around. Mastercam splits NCI file in sections then you'll need to post each section to G codes then send to CNC one section at a time. I like the DNC-Max way a litter better, since it splits file when transfer to CNC, you don't have to post so many little files. Just post one big file as you would do for drip feeding. Then in DNC-Max: 1. You can preset "Max file size" or "Max number of lines" or "Split at tool change" to split the file. 2. There is a section for "insert header/footer" of spited segments. 3. If your machine supports "Xon", you can choose "Wait for Xon between programs", otherwise you can set a "Next command" to trigger next send. With the Mastercam way, you have to split the file yourself every time, with the DNC-Max way, you set it once and that's it, let the software do the split for you. If you want to find more info, you can download a 30 full working demo by click the CIMCO logo at the bottom of this page. And if you are in Canada, feel free to send me an email: [email protected] [email protected] Have a Wonderful Holiday! Forgot to add, unlike CIMCO Edit OEM version, CIMCO DNC-Max does not come with Mastercam. [ 12-24-2002, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: Ying Jiang ]

Another way around is to use Mastercam (Section C-Hook) or CIMCO DNC-Max to split up the file in sections so they can fit in CNC memory one section at a time.

Are you doing drip feeding or send the file to machine memory? ("DNC" or "TA,1") Many Fadals don't like programs with comments when drip feeding.

How about use Tool Containment Boundary?

In v8, there is a HFAPP_V8.DOC under Mcam8Chooks that explains this feature in detail. In v9, there should be a HFAPP_V9.DOC under Mcam9Chooks, but I could not find it right now You can also take a look at the "Highfeed machining" section of Mastercam help file, there are good information as well.

We have many customers use CIMCO Edit in Mastercam on WinXP for file transfer without any problem. (Turn off FIFO buffer if you do drip feeding). The work laptop I use is XP as well and I do all my DNC demo and trouble shoot with it. Very often I use the CIMCO Edit and it always works. (Hardly use the "File" --> "Next Menu" --> "comminucate" any more).

quote: Ying - For a communications guy, you sure miss a lot! Better check the parity or change the number of stopbits...Andrew, you got me good!! Let me check, my guitar has only 5 strings...

Congratulations guys!! Haven't see you for a while and "so much" have changed (How come no one calles me for good news like this ) O,well

The math function is made for the Pro version of CIMCO Edit only, the tool bar in v9 OEM version was there by mistake. You can upgrade your OEM version of CIMCO Edit to the Pro version and get all the advance functions such as math function and G-code backplot.

For the post, try Mpmaster on this web site under posts (http://www.emastercam.com/posts/) For DNC, other than the settings also make sure the RS-232 cable is configed correctly, here is a reference: http://www.cimco-software.com/support/kb/s...ticle.php3?id=2 Hope that helps.

Hello Matt, This is a FYI just from file transfer point of view, with DNC-Max, you can send and receive NC programs without have to leave the CNC, even though the files are kept on the computer upstairs. For more info, check out the Canadian DNC web site: http://www.dncsoftware.ca/

While you are at it, why not check out our Canadian web site http://www.dncsoftware.ca/

Ask your dealer about update training locally - you might still get the sunshine , or get some books from this web site.

http://www.emastercam.com/resources/

C-Hooks can be added in Mastercam menu by editing the Mill9.txt file. For example, if I want to add Gear.dll to the menu just before "Exit" under File --> Next menu --> (Between "Renumber" and "Exit". Find the right place in Mill9.txt file as shown here: [file menu] menu 1 {"File:", "Ne&w", "&Edit", "&Get", "&Merge", "&List", "&Save", "S&ave some", "&Browse", "Con&verters", "&Next menu"} menu 2 {"File:", "&Properties", "", "DOS &shell", "", "&RAM-saver", "&Hardcopy", "&Communic", "Re&number", "", "&Exit"} Then modify the "" between "Re&number", and "&Exit" to "&Gear*" as shown here: [file menu] menu 1 {"File:", "Ne&w", "&Edit", "&Get", "&Merge", "&List", "&Save", "S&ave some", "&Browse", "Con&verters", "&Next menu"} menu 2 {"File:", "&Properties", "", "DOS &shell", "", "&RAM-saver", "&Hardcopy", "&Communic", "Re&number", "&Gear*", "&Exit"} The &G tells that G is the underlined letter, and * tells it is a C-hook. (Underlined letter can only be used once in one menu) Is this what you are looking for?

FYI, If you are using Mastercam v8 or v9, you can upgrade the CIMCO Edit in Mastercam from the OEM version to Professional version which will give you many NC functions such as "Rotate", "Mirror", "Translate", "Math function", "Backplot", etc... The nice thing is that all those functions works right from the NC codes. (It can even take a Heidenhain conversational file and convert it to a ISO format.) Click on the CIMCO Integration link on the bottom of this page and you can download a full 30 days demo version. Try it out and see if it does what want. You can also buy this editor as a stand alone product.

EZDAZIT Way to go! And no one in the game would get away with punching other players, speaking of sportsmanship

Andrew, Just got back from some service calls, I don't look at the Forum everyday, sorry for the late reply. I've tried your file, and it works just fine. I did some screen shots of the backplot and posted on IHS ftp site at where you put last time. (It's called Tool_No_Prob.zip). All I did was copy your tool file (BULLMILL_12MM_7MM.MC9) to Mcam9MillTools, and in "Operations Manager", under "Define tool" --> "Profile", I selected "Custom file" instead of "Auto". Also used the backplot display settings as I mentioned in the last message. Your custom tool showed up in backplot without any problem!