Try using control points. Under the point generator tab. I usually use this to remove facets if nothing else has. Bruce

I know it is technically correct John, butI don't think I have ever used the default back and bottom wether programming 4, 5, or even 6 axis machines. Bruce

It was 8130. Thanks Bruce

Ahoy! I thought the parameter for controlled axes was 8030, but alas no. I can't find it in the book either. ANyone know what parameter to turn on the 4th axis for this control? Bruce

Got it. The old: Don't forget to create new back and bottom planes trick since the MC default ones are bogus. Bruce

Ahoy! What exactly does: "ERROR - SELECT MACHINE ACHIEVABLE TOOLPLANE WITH X-AXIS ALONG MACHINE X - SET AND REPOST" Mean? As far as I can tell the post is set correctly for 4 axis and the MD is correct also. The toolpath is just a contour op on the back face of a part. The contour op for the front post fine? Geo is in the correct plane and everything looks OK. It must be something ridiculously obvious and right in front of me. any ideas? Bruce

Thanks fellas. The mic reads ok and the OD is in spec with full form inserts, so all appears to be good. Never mic'd an imperial thread with a metric mic so I was a little worried that I was setting myself up for a fall. Bruce

What about a Mazak Variaxis? The Deckel will be a nice machine if you are a Heidenhain fan like me. Bruce

Ahoy! I have a 1.625" 12UN OD thread to measure and I only have metric thread mics. The pitch works out to 2.117mm so I have zero'd up 2mm-3mm anvils. My questions are: What is the effective diameter of a 1.625" 12UN thread, and can I use the metric mic to measure it????? thanks Bruce

Thanks Dave. Bruce

Bump!

David, Material is 6061-T6. Your jig grinder probably has a better TIR than an air spindle. How deep are your 0.2mm holes? Bruce

I can get a 90,000rpm spindle with a BT40 back end and TIR of 0.0002" which I personally thought would have been good enough. I think the air spindle supplier was involved with the company that made the sample of the part that I am quoting. They had a nightmare doing it, but looking at the sample I suspect that they got the order of operations wrong and should have drilled the holes earlier in the process. Based on this experience the supplier has told me that he couldn't recommend it. I think he lost his balls on this job and is too scared to get mixed up with it again. Anyone else think this is a tricky, but definately do-able job? Bruce

Ahoy! I am quoting a job that has a few thousand 0.3mm holes to drill up to 4mm deep (0.012" and 0.157") I am thinking of using an air spindle, but have been warned that they will be no good for a hole that deep. If only going 2mm deep the supplier reckons it will go all day, but at 4mm deep the TIR of the spindle will start to snap drills. Any advice? Bruce

Thanks fellas, I think I know which way to go now. Bruce

Ahoy! I have a job from Bohler K660 toolsteel and am wondering if I should have it HT'd to final spec of 45-50hrc prior to machining or after. Process involves predominantly turning and drilling. thanks Bruce

That is what I thought, but there are SS discs available and he would like to do something similar. Bruce

Ahoy!, I have a customer who would like some custom parts made. He is after stainless brake discs and I was curious as to what type of ss and treatment for this application. Also, anyone know a good place for cast wheel blanks with the tyre profile and bore already finished? Bruce

Doug, Shouldn't be any chipping out, that is what the conveyors are for. You are right though, ROI varies depending on the work you do. The company I was at had four A55's and two of them ran cast iron production parts 24/7 for years and didn't really miss a beat. Any other machine would have been knackered. Bruce

Thanks fellas. The thread is actually that used to attach cutting heads to mining equipment. I'll have a look at machinery's handbook and the macro when I get home. Bruce

Thanks fellas, that has given me some ideas. Bruce

Ahoy! Does anyone have a link or a spec for rope threads? thanks Bruce

Ahoy!, I have a job coming up where I may need to individually pack nearly 8000 pieces. I was thinking that a tube similar to what say and endmill came in or the old film canisters would be perfect, but I haven't found anything so far that looks cost effective. The parts are approx 60mm dia x 60mm long.(about 2.5"x2.5" in old money) Anyone know a source for something like this? thanks Bruce

David, Are you using curve5? If so the code relates to the positions of the vectors. I have had some luck filtering this, but stopped doing that after picking up a couple of problems with vericut. That wasn't on an integrex though. Bruce

/cue Benny Hill Show theme music/ I found the M code for this. It comes in the form of a 30mm spanner to undo the MANUAL clamp. /Benny Hill off/ :embarrassed: Bruce