Andrew that is correct to some degree but when you have operators instead of machinist it is easyer to have one program than many subs, where an operator can make mistakes by strating in the wrong location, as I always say, it is better to spend 15 minutes more at the computer than to have operators make mistakes. [ 08-13-2001: Message edited by: toolmann ]

HELLO OTTER, THERE ARE MANY COMPANY'S SELLING THESE INDEXABLE TOOLS LIKE ANDREW MENTIONED: MILLSTAR,DAPRA,SANDVICK,VALENITE, ISCAR, THESE ARE A FEW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. [ 08-13-2001: Message edited by: toolmann ]

RORY,THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS IN MASTERCAM. WHEN YOU PROGRAM A TOOL AND YOU HAVE IT RIGHT. IN YOUR OPERATIONS MGR. DRAG YOUR OP. DOWN AND COPY AFTER, WHEN THIS IS DONE GO TO THE PARAMETERS OF THAT TOOL AND TURN ON MISC. VALUES, CHOOSE WOORKCOORDINATES AND CHANGE THE NUMBER FROM 2 TO 3 THIS WILL USE G55 FOR THAT VISE AND SO ON. ONCE YOU USE IT YOU WILL LIKE IT VERY MUCH. IT IS A GREAT TOOL TO USE FOR LOTS OF FIXTURES. [ 08-13-2001: Message edited by: toolmann ]

HELLO ANDREW, I HOPE YOU RECEIVED MY EMAIL IN REGARDS TO YOUR PROBLEM. I HOPE I WAS OF HELP, REMEMBER THAT WHEN CUTTING ANY MATERIAL, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE LUBRICANT YOU USE, IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE CUTTING TOOL YOU USE ALSO. DON'T FORGET NOT TO HEAT UP THE MATERIAL.

POOR MIKE I AM AMAZED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MACHINE THIS MATERIAL IT IS VERY SIMPLE, DO NOT HEAT UP THE MATERIAL WHEN CUTTING IT, IT WILL DESTROY YOUR TOOLS. KEEP THE SFPM DOWN AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, AND USE LOTS OF COOLANT. MACHINABILITY IS 15-30%, THAT IS NOT THAT BAD KEEP SFPM DOWN TO 60-100 FOR CBD END MILLS. ROUGH=60-65 SEMI=65-75 FINISH=75-100 FEED .001-.002 PER TOOTH. USE 50'-60' HELIX END MILLS IF YOU CAN THEY WORK GREAT. USE 1 END MILL FOR EACH PROCESS TO ROUGH, SEMI FINISH, & FINISH. DRILLING USE 15-20 SFPM AND COBALT DRILL'S FEED .002-IPR=1/8" DRILL .003-IPR=1/4 DRILL YOU CAN USE CARBIDE BUT THEY DO BREAK DEPENDING ON THE APPLICATION, YOU NEED EXPERIENCE TO DO THIS, SO I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING CARBIDE AT THIS TIME. [This message has been edited by toolmann (edited 07-24-2001).]

SFPM FOR CBD END MILLS WILL BE ABOUT 30-60. FEED WILL BE ABOUT .0005-.001 PER TOOTH ON END MILLS, SMALLER THAN 3/8 60' HELIX WORKS EXCELLENT ON HARD MATERIALS. COBALT DRILLING IS 10-15 SFPM WITH .002 FEED PER REV. FOR 1/8" DRILL. YOU CAN USE CBD BUT SOMETIMES THEY BREAK DEPENDING ON THE APPLICATION. THESE ARE VERY GOOD STARTING POINTS FOR YOU TO USE. MACHINABILITY OF THIS MATERIAL IS BETWEEN 15-20%. ONCE YOU GET STARTED YOU WILL LEARN VERY QUICKLY, DON'T EXPECT TOOLS TO LAST VERY LONG. YOU WILL HAVE TO CHANGE TOOLS VERY OFTEN, AS WE ALL KNOW TIME IS MONEY. IT IS BETTER TO USE MORE TOOLS TO SAVE TIME, THAN TO SAVE COST BY USING LESS TOOLS. ITS BETTER TO MAKE 6 PARTS PER HR., THAN 2 PER HR.