Interesting configuration. You should define a separate axis combination for every X-Z axis pair you can program with the left turret and sub-spindle. We'll keep this one in mind for machine simulation testing.

Either of your upper turrets can work on either spindle, as long as you have defined axis combinations to allow it. For example, if your Upper Right turret can machine on either the left or right spindle, you need 2 axis combinations for it: #1 includes - the Upper Right turret component, - the Upper Right turret axis components - the Left Chuck component - the Left Chuck axis components #2 includes - the Upper Right turret component, - the Upper Right turret axis components - the Right Chuck component - the Right Chuck axis components When you program your toolpaths with this turret, make sure to select the appropriate axis combination for the spindle you are working on. The software looks at the components in the axis combinations, not the component groups when computing tool collision avoidance moves. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks for the info Todd. When the university gets the fix, we'll be able to compare the Catia-direct solid with the stitched surface solid.

Jay, I was working with U-Windsor on reading the file in. Did you manage to read the solid in successfully, or just the surfaces? We were using the MoldPlus translator for X MR2 and couldn't read in the solid. Instead, we read in the surface file from Zoober and ran the Surface->Solid stitcher on it, which worked great, but created a 240Mb file.

Email sent. I hope this helps you out.

You can create a custom general turning tool in orientation 5. I can't comment on the amount of post modification required.

The tables are editable ASCII text files. The files are in your main MCamX folder. They are: - RGInch.tbl - RGMetric.tbl Instructions are listed at the top of each file. Remember to back them up first, in case you make any formatting mistakes!

The CW and CCW directions are as viewed in the graphic: looking at the chuck from the front. That's why the icon is there It would be pretty difficult to create a meaningful icon of a lathe spindle, looking at it from behind. We may be looking at removing the text altogether, to make the user use the icon as a reference. Simply select the radio button next to the correct icon, and don't worry about how CW and CCW are defined on your machine.

Are you using the tool LIBRARY or insert and holder CATALOGUES? We provide a huge assortment of inserts and holders, so you can build your own tools. Not EVERY insert or holder is in the catalogues, as not all insert or holder shapes are currently supported using parametric geometry in Mastercam. Custom tool geometry must be used in these cases. Check out the following Kennametal insert and holder catalogues from the Define Lathe Tool dialog: X Kennametal Lathe Tooling(inch) X Kennametal Lathe Tooling(mm) These catalogues have many more inserts and holders than the old Kennamet catalogues.

For metric inserts, the value you enter is the cutting edge length, not the IC diameter. If you analyze your insert geometry, you will find that the cutting edge length is 3.97mm. This is still a problem with metric inserts, as tool manufacturer's seem to deviate from the ISO spec to round things off to the nearest 'even' metric or inch IC diameter. In your case, the first '02' specifies a cutting edge length of 2mm. For a 2mm cutting edge length, the resulting IC diameter is 2.92mm, not 3.97mm. We need to improve our in the future...

Best of luck Chris!

quote: I guess it's because Mcam does not where your wcs is relative to machine table position. Exactly. Implementation of axis travel limits is underway for X2, but you will have to 'load the stock in the machine.' for it to work

Editing the operation defaults file through either the Control Definition, or Machine Group Properties will have the same effect - updating an operation defaults file. (for example, Mill_mm.defaults) We have provided 2 places in which you can accomplish this. Control Definition dialog: The idea behind editing the file from the Control Definition interface is to allow you to define custom operation defaults for each control definition. To do this, you need to select a unique operation defaults file in the Control Definition interface, then update the individual operations for that control. Machine Group Properties dialog - Files tab: If one set of operation defaults works for all of your machines, editing the defaults through the Machine Group Properties dialog is the easiest way to update them. I hope this clears things up a bit.

quote: Why is it that when I open the MD then go to Control Def the Operation Defaults are not there? You CAN edit the operation defaults in this scenario, if you don't have any machine groups active in Mastercam, and you are editing the disk copies of the machine and control definitions. If you have a machine group in the operations manager, the easiest way to edit the operation defaults is through the 'Files' page of the Machine Group Properties dialog.

quote: The libarys for Lathe are Imperial The lathe insert or holder catalogues with (MM) at the end of the name are metric, and there are extensive Sandvik metric insert and holder catalogues.

Santa delivered one of these a few weeks ago: http://www.shoptask.com/ with the Camtronics controller and Mach2 controller software. The controller setup is pretty good and runs standard ISO (read FANUC) G-Codes. There are tons of home machinist forums on the internet with a wealth of information, such as: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?t=69942 Good luck with your project!

The extra moves that you see are Mastercam compensating for the tool shape and keeping the tool tangent to your desired radius at all times. You will not see the 'bevel' on the finished part. This type of motion will also minimize lateral stress on the tool while it's plunging the radius. If you define stock, then program the operation, you will see that the finished part is correct.

When you change the machine definition as above, Mastercam will automatically reduce the operation spindle speeds to 4000rpm and adjust the feedrates to maintain the chip load per tooth. You shouldn't have to do anything, other than re-post the operations for the new machine.

The problem is caused by a bug in V9 that is fixed in X.

quote: As long as I'm in 'Design', the slate stays clean. However, is there a way to use 'Open' without having to revert to design first?.... or having to change to design after converting/opening a new file?? There is no other way to do this currently. The software automatically initializes to whatever 'mode' (Mill, Lathe, Router) you are currently in when you select File->New quote: How do I clear out the Op manager of any machines? If you have a machine there (even without any toolpaths), switching to design doesn't remove the machine. If I'm switching machines, I have to add a machine first, then go back to the initial group and delete it. Select Machine Type -> Design, then click on the Dynamite button (2nd from right) in the Operation Manager. quote: And, this is also where the Machine Group Properties has problems. Some of the stuff will not stick from the defaults. In particular the "Tool Settings/Toolpath Configuration" stuff. We're working on this one...

To start up in Design: Settings->Configuration->Start/Exit Make sure 'Default machine' is NOT checked Make sure your shortcut command to run Mastercam does not have a /M, /L, /R option after it. If you have created a file with toolpaths and want to start a new file in Design: Machine Type -> Design File -> New If you command to run Mastercam has a /M /L or /R after it, and don't have 'Default machine' checked in Start/Exit, the machine selected in: Settings->Configuration -> Mill/Lathe/Router Machine Definition will be loaded at startup. I hope this helps you out.

quote: Also, if you change parameters which doesn't affect the toolpath (i.e. commant) you need to regenarate the operation and all following operations if stock recognition is activated. This happens when you edit a Mill/Turn operation?

How about freezing the nylon before machining it to reduce the ductility?

What Todd said... Don't try to use WCS or tool planes for turning operations in Lathe. You must move the geometry.