Dialog11?

Greg, I just re-read your initial post and will add another clarification. (sorry) If you are using a true 5 axis post you will need to set the origin in the view manager to 0,0,0 for any new views that you create. This means that if you have a block 100x100x100mm and you have your datum in the centre of the top face the top of stock on the other faces will be Z50mm. Bruce

How come everyone seems to know where I work???

Thanks anyway.

In the operations manager if you open the parameters in an operation it is under tool diameter and to the right of the feedrate.

Just to clarify, If you are manual programming and use a cycle 19 you will need to set a new datum for that position. A true 5-axis post will recalculate for you.

quote: I hope the pirates don't get a peak at mcx before we do.Too late. I have heard that copies of X are for sale in some Asian markets. Won't say where. Bruce

Does the lot. If you are using a true 5-axis post it will spit out something like L B+Q121 C+Q122 F MAX M126 The Q figures are the machines reference values relative to the machine datum so you won't need to worry about them. Cycle 19 effectively sets the "A" angle because the deckels have a silly 45 degree knee. The machine uses it and the BQ121 etc to set a workplane and re-define a datum position automatically. 5 axis continuous movements will start from a defined position but the x,y,z,b,c co-ordinates from then will be all over the place. Remember to cancel any and all datum shifts in the MDI before re-starting any 5 axis work. Bruce

If your deckel has a heidenhain controller with a cycle 19 function your part can be datumed anywhere you like. eg if you set your datum in MC at the top and centre of the finished part then just set this as the datum on the machine. The machine handles the maths involved in positioning the table and finding its position. Bruce

Sorry,I just butted in.

What exactly does it do???

In tool parameters there is a box called program #. Is the info in this box accessable in a vb script? Bruce

We have both. MC gets used 99% of the time.

I also cut a tendon once. Get ready to learn how to use your hand again. Another fellow was loading a large roller on to a lathe and instead on winding up the centre, he turned the lathe on. The roller buckled under the startup load and smashed his arm in 11 places. Blood everywhere. One bone had a titanium rod inserted with the pieces of bone threaded on like beads. Half of one muscle had to be removed but would you believe he did not sever any major arteries or tendons.

Bucket head, I am a fan of one CNC also. I started using it here in OZ when it was still called AusCAD. The bloke who wrote the code has his office here in Brisbane. Bruce

A bloke where I did my apprenticeship was operating a manual lathe while wearing an old t-shirt complete with hold and daggy ends. One second he's standing there with it on, the next the feed screw had ripped it off him. Lucky he wasn't wearing a decent shirt. Gloves and untucked shirts scare the hell out of me. Another thing that is common and dangerous is using coolant in a cup to dip parts in at a bench grinder. The parts get slippery and have a tendency to end up on the opposite side of the room. I always make a point of re-filling these with clean water whenever I see them with coolant in them.

Try some "belt grip" on the fixture. It will help the part seal without gluing it down for good. Sometimes vac pressure is not all that is needed. If the fixture is leaking anywhere the pump must be able to cope. I.e if a leak is absorbing 10L/min and your pump is only rated at 8l/min then you are in trouble. Bruce

Now all I need is an end mill that puts stock back on!

On my screen Heavy's monkey swings backwards.

Monkey still going backwards

I find it easier to draw a 2d development and do an axis substitution. ie draw the part "unrolled" I have put on the ftp test4thaxisbruce.mc9 Verify this wth a cylinder on the x axis 100"long and 10"dia to see what it does.

Oops, mine is for a vertical too. You could rotate the geometry and adjust the 4axis output settings though to get an idea of what is going on. 4th axis helix work is not that hard once you get the knack. Variable form,pitch and taper aren't much of a drama with practice.

Try this one. 4AXISbruce.mc9 in the mc9_files folder. BTW. Why is your chimp swinging backwards??

UHMW is very soft. Cuts like butter.