from .txt file : menu 1 { "Post Processor:", "&Change", "&Run", "Re&verse", "", "", "", "", "Run &old", "", "&Update PST"} from .pst file # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Numbered questions for Mastercam Mill # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 90. Drive and subdirectory for NC files? 91. Name of executable post processor? MP 92. Name of reverse post processor? RP 93. Reverse post PST file name? RPFAN Funny you should mention reverse posting cuz the last couple of days I've been reverse-engineering the engraving on our steel rules. They were programmed many years ago w/ a pencil and calculator. Back in the days when there was only incremental programming , no absolute! , No decimal, just trailing zero formatting I gotta use a text editor to strip things like G09 outta the nc file. Then edit it w/ mcedit to scale it into decimal (x.0001), insert 2 lines at the beginning , something like "G90G00X0.Y0.Z.1" "G91" save it , reverse post it, and backplot w/ "save as geometry" on. pain in arse , but better than re-creating from scratch. cp ps. also changed incmode in rpfan.pst # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Initialize variables # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- skp_lead_flgs : 1 #Do not use v9 style contour flags rpd_typ_v7 : 1 # Convert older drill records to V9.1 format xh : 0 # Assume the home position (output with G92) yh : 0 zh : 0 incmode : 1 # Init. Abs. mode - G90 incmode = 0, G91 incmode = 1 cp

Thanks for the "Stock View", way cool ......... cp

You could face off about .003 and check the shape of what is leftover in the middle of the stock. It should completely flat. If there is material left in the shape of a cylinder , your bar is below center. If there is material left in the shape of a cone , your bar is above center. cp

Are you passing an argument w/ the nominal radius comp and comparing it to the actual value ? I did it that way for height offsets after one of our operators cleaned a tombstone right off of its mounting plate H value -45.678 instead of -4.5678 or, using positive values .4567 instead of 4.567 thought 999 was satan's number for dyslexics(sp?)

Jerome, May I ask why you need that variable ?? Thought satan's # was 666 My documentation shows that #999 is the last in a sequence of the additional common variables option

I forgot , this might only apply if you are using "tool life management" Otherwise test for #4120 after tool change but before ant other tool calls like pre-staging

Try #4111 - H code after the tool change

We used to use 420 F and it was a French material. It machined like any other 420. We got it from an outfit called Bonpertuis cp

Here is how we do a 2 pallet swap on our Kitamuras w/ Fanuc 16i-M. 1st of all , put the program # for the 1st oper in #501 and put the program # for the 2nd op in #502 O8889() G91G28Z0.M05 G90 IF[[#1032AND1]EQ1.]GOTO920(2 IN MACH) ---Kitamura's test for which pallet is where lifted from their M60 series of Macro/Subs N910(PALLET 1 IS IN MACHINE) IF[#501EQ0.]GOTO949 ------------- test to see if program # is present if not then swap pallets M98P#501 GOTO949 N920(PALLET 2 IS IN MACHINE) IF[#502EQ0.]GOTO949 M98P#502 N949 G91G28Z0.M05 G90 M60 /M99 M30 O1111( 1ST OPER PROGRAM ) ( start code ) | | G10L2P?X?Y?Z? and / or G10L20P?X?Y?Z? | | (1ST TOOL) | | (end coding) M99 O2222( 2ND OPER PROGRAM ) ( start code ) | | G10L2P?X?Y?Z? and / or G10L20P?X?Y?Z? | | (1ST TOOL) | | (end coding) M99 ps the 8889 code also works for Kitamuras w/ the YASNAC I80M

I used an STL file for stock this AM. I shut down Mcam and then came back to it this afternoon and the stock setting in Verify was re-set to Box w/ the filespec of the stl in a greyed-out box. I clicked the file radio button and now my stl is back as the stock. Then I switched to a different part , came back , and the stl was still there. Exited Mcam , came back to the part w/ the stl and it was re-set to box.

On the Fanucs we have here , G28 is a 2 step command , roughly translated , it says "Go Home but 1st go here, then go home. If executed in single block , it will take 2 presses of the start button to finish the command. The crash problems come from using G28 when the control is in Absolute (G90). G90G28Z0 says to rapid to Z0 in whatever coordinate system you are in , then rapid home. The safe way is to use G91G28Z0 (incremental) which tells the machine "go nowhere, then go home" Aside from "G50" being used for setting max rpm in CSS on lathes , G50 acts like a G92 and can shift your work coordinate system. Some of us here use it to shift grooving tool the thickness of the insert so's that the program coordinates match up to the print. "G50W-.125" for a 1/8 wide insert. Just gotta be careful to "G50W.125" when your done using it or the rest of the part will be in error .125 in Z. cp

Try hard coding it in ptlchg: from MpHaas: ptlchg #Tool change "G91G28Z0.", e "G90M05", e "M00", e pcuttype toolchng = one # if mi1 = one, #Work coordinate system # [ # pfbld, n, *sg28ref, "X0.", "Y0.", e # pfbld, n, "G92", *xh, *yh, *zh, e # ] # pbld, n, "M01", e pcom_moveb c_mmlt #Multiple tool subprogram call ptoolcomment comment pcan pbld, n, *t, "M6", e pindex sav_absinc = absinc if mi1 > one, absinc = zero pcan1, pbld, n, *sgcode, *sgabsinc, pwcs, pfxout, pfyout, pcout, *speed, *spindle, pgear, strcantext, e pbld, n, "G43", *tlngno, pfzout, next_tool, e pbld, n, scoolant absinc = sav_absinc pcom_movea toolchng = zero c_msng #Single tool subprogram call This way you will always get the code at every tool change. if you want it only when you need it try using your own routine tied to a variable like mi3 again from MpHaas: p_m0000 #My M00 routine "G91G28Z0.", e "G90M05", e "M00", e ptlchg #Tool change if mi3 = 1, p_m0000 pcuttype toolchng = one if mi1 = one, #Work coordinate system [ pfbld, n, *sg28ref, "X0.", "Y0.", e pfbld, n, "G92", *xh, *yh, *zh, e ] pbld, n, "M01", e cp

I export from KeyCreator 4.0 w/ parasolid export. No Problems KC4.0->Mcam or Mcam->Kc4.0 cp

Mill 1 and Lathe here. Plus we do nothing but 2.5D so we live by wireframe even tho we design is solids.

I have to rule out shrink fit tooling due to logistics. We are located in a multiple building factory and at least 2 or 3 departments are producing these parts at any one time. One of the depts has 7 HMCs and 5 VMCs. The next dept is located about 1/4 mile away and 3 floors up w/ 6 VMCs. The third is locates 4 floors down from the second w/ 3 VMCs. I would need at least 2 shrinking machines to efficiently handle tool replacements. Milling Chucks seem kinda fat at the nose and kinda long in projection from gage line. The Techniks Slim-Fit system has the shallow taper collets along w/ an advertised .0002 Max TIR @ 4xD, the same as the Nikken Mini-Mini which I am using for a 1/8 Emill. Right now I'm using Emill Holders and ER collets which work ok but I think I can do better w/ better tooling. I am hoping that the design similarities between the Nikken Mini-Mini ( .125-.3125d) and the Techniks Slim-Fit (.125-.75d) will confer the same benefits to the larger emills. Parts are run on 2 pallet VMCs, 4 parts 1st op -->4 parts 2nd op per pallet and the tolerances are +/- .001. Given the thousands of tools we need to produce each year, I'm pretty sure that we can amortise the tooling costs quickly. Thanx for the help, cp ps. We are considering purchasing a 20k rpm machine and cellularizing the entire tool. If that happens , I'll look into Heat Shrink tooling again.

I need to purchase some new holders for endmills. Shrink-fit is not an option as of yet. I'm looking at Techniks Slim-Fit system w/ the collets. The colletts remind me of the Nikken Mini-Mini system of which I'm really impressed. Does anyone out there use the Techniks Slim-Fit system ?? How do they compare to your standard Emill Holder ?? , to a ER collet system ??. Machine : 10k rpm Kitamura Mycenter 3xi Fanuc 16Mi control I need to rip some aluminum 1/4 thick, profiling 1/4" radial x 1/4" axial w/ 3/8 emill fast as possible w/ best finish possible. Thousands of parts. Ditto w/ 5/8 emill Niagra A345 series emills - 45' helix 3flt micrograin carbide, TICN coated, stubby DOC any opinions ??? thanx in advance cp

Take a look at the AB Tools "Shearhog" at www.abtoolsinc.com they say to wind it up and then feed it as fast as you machine will allow works great !! cp

I start my tapping feeds at about 25-30 ipm. Use some sort of lubrication so that the aluminum doesn't gall the tap. If possible I use a roll tap w/ an axial groove in it so as to relieve hydraulic pressure formed when coolant in the hole has nowhere to go to exit the hole (Jarvis's Jar-Flow type taps). As far as the depth goes, just go for it or, if your machine can peck tap (Fanuc G84 cycle w/ a Q in it )

How about using cutter comp in the computer, then using G41,G42 in the program. You will still have cutter comp @ the machine but it will be more on the order of + or - .0001 to whatever.

I forgot to mention that the previous Emills were Garr

Check out ISCAR's solid carbide Finishredders. They are incredible ! using a 1/4" dia @ .03 DOC I was able to 5x the previous feedrate and I got triple the tool life in 420 SS running it dry. (4 flute, TiAln coated) for 3/8 dia ISCAR#. EFSI-B44 375-750C375 ISCAR Cat#. 5622109 You mightneed to see an Iscar rep for these Emills , I don't think that they are in the catalogs yet .

did you try the formatting section of the post ?? ie # Axis output formats - Linear # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmt X 1 x # X Axis Pos ****** fmt Y 1 y # Y Axis Pos ****** fmt W 1 z # Z Axis Pos @@@@@ fmt X 1 xr # X Rapid Pos ****** fmt Y 1 yr # Y Rapid Pos ****** fmt W 1 zr # Z Rapid Pos @@@@@ fmt X 1 subrapx # Recall Sub Rapid X ****** fmt Y 1 subrapy # Recall Sub Rapid Y ****** fmt W 1 subrapz # Recall Sub Rapid Z @@@@@ fmt X 1 xh # X Home Pos ****** fmt Y 1 yh # Y Home Pos ****** fmt W 1 zh # Z Home Pos @@@@@

'Create-Drafting' then click on an arc creates either a radial or a diameter dimension. If you look in the prompt area, it will tell you how to create tangential dimensions also (usefull for dimensioning sides of holes to edges of parts. cp

I would bet the problem is runout. On one job we have (using 3/32 xtra length carbide .05 depth / pass in alumium ) we used to go through 3 endmills a day. Changed holder to Nikken Mini-Mini chuck and now we use 1 endmill per month (job runs 24/5).

I forgot to mention that Macro B is an option on Fanuc controls