I would agree that it would be very difficult to do in a post, BUT we have done it in the past with a Zoeller pre-setter. No need to touch the tools off once loaded in the machine. The Zoeller was able to create the proper information for tool data and stored it in a DNC directory that the operator would load at the same time he loaded his program. This was done only for g-code programs. Native Mazatrol tool data is not fun to play with. There are many issues with uploading and downloading cleanly thru DNC systems.

Hymen, The only thing I can think of is that you need to set the macro varibles. #826 should be a negative number. This is the position the sub-spindle will be at to pick off you part. #827 is a positive number. This number is for the pull out amount of your stock. There should be no information in the set-up screen, that is only for when you are using mazatrol programming.

Here is code that I use to do a Part-off and Trasnfer. I use Z3 instead of Z2 because my machine has a lower turret and the Z for the lower turret is Z2 and the sub-spindle is now Z3. I am also not chucking a round part which is why there is a macro variable for the C2 sub-spindle position (#806). I also use macro varibles for the pull out amount as well (#827). Let me know if you have any questions. ( CUT-OFF ) N180 G30 U0. W0. G53 G90 M212 M202 G98 G18 T0202.01 B4 (CUT OFF PART TO LENGTH) G00 Z.0 M357 M302 (START SUBSPINDLE TRANSFER) M201 G00 C0.0 M300 G112 M200 G110C2 G28H0 G0 C#806 M306 M540 G110Z3 Z[#826+15.] (SET SUB SPINDLE "Z" TO FIRST POSITION TO CLAMP PART) G1 W-15. F150. G112 M202 M506 M509 M541 G00 Z[#826+#827] (SET SUB SPINDLE "Z" PULLOUT FOR CUTOFF POSITION) M07 G111 M302 T0202.01 G50 S1600 M511 G99 G96 S33 M3 M153 M8 G00 Z.5 (CUT OFF PART TO LENGTH) X20. G01 X-.2 F.06 X20. F.5 G30 U0 M5 M154 M9 M518 M512 M01 G110 Z3 G00 Z0.0 G111 G30 W0 Y0 M01

Jeremy, The CMT button is only for Mazatrol programs. You need to use the Tape button to transfer EIA programs. We don't use MC to transfer our programs, we use CIMnet, but I believe you still need to use the tape button. You can use the Tape button for Mazatrol to upload, but the code comes out in a 3 digit format and is almost impossible to read. When it gets downloaded back in the control, it converts back to Mazatrol. Can't really do offline editing this way. Craig

Marc, You've got mail.

Make sure you have a directory on your floppy like 1000. Them make sure your program is called 1000.eia. The control won't recongize without the .eia at the end. Let me know if that works. Craig

Are you trying to load or save a program? Are you using EIA or Mazatrol?

Paul, I unchecked open GL and that did it. Thanks

I recently got a new computer here at work and am now programming a family of parts in MC. With my old computer, when I would select geometry to create a tool path, arrows would show the direction and side I am cutting on. I have lost the arrows on my new computer and can't find were to turn it on. I know one of you MC guru's knows how to turn this feature on. Thanks, Craig PS - Still using V9.

Auto probing your G54-G59 is possible in EIA. Are you using a Renishaw probing system? Do you have the manual for it? There are exmaples in their as to how to output to G54. Craig

Anyone ever tried HSM in Cobalt Chrome? Craig

Does anybody have either of these machines and program it using MC. We are looking at purchasing one of these and would like to know any difficulties anyone has with them. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, Craig

I prefer the 10, 20, 30 method along with a set-up sheet telling which operation does what.

When I first came here a year ago, the Integrex's where programmed in Mazatrol. They already had MC here and a post, but never used it for the Integrex, nor did anyone know the g-code side of the Integrex. After trying for several weeks to program some complex parts in Mazatrol (10+ yrs mazatrol exp), I convinced them to allow me to program using MC. Mazatrol is down and dirty for easy parts, not good for anything complex. Everything is just easier using MC and even the way the tools are described in the machine is easier if using g-code. I didn't even know how to use MC until I came here (SurfCAM previously) and self taught my way through it for the Integrex. Use MC, you will be much better off. Craig

We deal with lots of European drawings and models here. They are all Unilateral toleranced and the models are drawn to either the upper spec or the lower spec not the mean. A major pain the a**. There is a software package we are investigating that will alter the Pro/E model to make it to the mean so when we bring it into MC, the are correct. I will get the name of it for you.

We run dual turret, twin spindle Integrex Machines here. The example below is without polar interpolation. 25mm square with 12.7mm endmill. G0 Z2. X-50.4 Y18.85 Z-3.75 G98 G1 Z-4. F3. G41 X-25. F318.2 X25. G2 X37.7 Y12.5 R6.35 G1 Y-12.5 G2 X25. Y-18.85 R6.35 G1 X-25. G2 X-37.7 Y-12.5 R6.35 G1 Y12.5 G2 X-25. Y18.85 R6.35 G0 Z2. With Polar Interpolation, X and Y actually become your C axis. The X axis moves up and down as the C axis rotates. Good for when you don't have enough Y travel. Example below: G0 C0. G0 Z2. X62.94 Y0. G12.1 (polar on) X-25.2 Y18.85 G98 G41 Z-3.75 F318.2 G1 Z-4. F3. X-12.5 F318.2 X12.5 G2 X18.85 Y12.5 R6.35 G1 Y-12.5 G2 X12.5 Y-18.85 R6.35 G1 X-12.5 G2 X-18.85 Y-12.5 R6.35 G1 Y12.5 G2 X-12.5 Y18.85 R6.35 G0 Z2. G13.1 (polar off) Hope this helps. Craig

Just wondering if anyone out there has programmed a Mazak Integrex 100IIIST with a sub-spindle and lower turret? We just got our first two in and are expecting 6 more by the end of the year. We will not be doing any dual turning, the lower turret is dedicated to one tool for a burninshing operation and is locked out from rotating. The manuals and the sample program that Mazak wrote do not match on calling up the lower turret. The book says you have to use a G109L2 for lower turret commands, but the sample program only uses a G110X2Z2 then a G112T1 for tool 1 call out? Hmmmmm. They are also using a G53.5 for the Mazatrol Coordinate System so I am assuming they are using Standard Mode G-code, but I sent them a program, which they ran in conjuction with theirs, and mine is using G53 for the Coordinate system and they left it as G53 which is the T-32 compatible mode G-code series. Hmmmmm. Not really sure what they are doing? Any help? Craig

Most of our machines are powered down for the night. We do have machines that have the Auto Power On feature so we can warm them up before the operators come in. We hold very tight tolerances on UHMWPE and the machines run better when they are warm. We had some thermal expansion issues early in our development.

Harry, I am a fan of the Mitsubishi Drills. I am using them to machine Cobalt Chrome. They last forever and the difference is the coating. We are not even using coolant through. Craig

Are you talking about the software?

I came from a very small job shop in Florida and got to know the ins and outs of their business. What amazed me the most was the number of quotes the came in the door. They would only get about 20% of the jibs they quoted and that is being generous. In hard times, they would take jobs just to pay the bills. I tried to start my own shop while still working their, and I ran into the same wall. I did mass mailings to get my name out and would quote several jobs a week, but would only land 1 or so per week. It is a very cut throat industry. It is hard to compete against other shops charging $25/hr shop rate. The best thing to do is find a niche. To make it big, you need a lot of capital so you can survive the down turns, unless you are just trying to make so extra money on the side, I would rather work for someone else. I have owned several small businesses, but none grew large enough to support my family. My wife has not worked for 8 years (raising our kids) and we like it that way.

Last I heard Hawaii was very expensive to live in. How can you make it on $35k/yr? Just this morning I heard gas was $2.26/gallon. So much for buying a surf board!!

My previous company bought a Mori MT2000 with the Mits controls. At the time I had pretty much only used Mazatrol and SurfCAM. Found the Mapps software no comparison to Mazatrol and more difficult to use. We ended up programming the machine in EIA anyway using SurfCAM. Nice machines, but slower rapid rates than comparable machines.

Are you using EIA or Mazatrol Programming format? We had to configure our old machines differently to accept the two different forms of programming. What are you using as your DNC system? The older machines may require additional hardware for them to work seamlessly.

Not going to IMTS. Had to make a choice between them sending me to Switzerland or going to IMTS. Where would you go???