Ron, I'll check it out. Thanks for the reply Rory

I know you can output the stock size (OD and length) but can you create a formula to determine how far the stock is protruding from the spindle? (Length minus engagment into chuck). A manual method without a formula could be done with "manual entry", but if you do a job set-up, define the stock and chuck, it would be nice to output the protrusion of stock automatically instead of a manual system. Anybody have an idea? Rory

quote: having the disapline to carry out the plan is our down fall I feel for you there, I have seen this happen all to many times. I would agree that documentation is very important. We just had a repeat job today that was run 1 year ago. Do you think anybody could remember how to set it up or where the original program is located?

Core_Breaker, I would be interested in seeing it. Will you e-mail it or put it on the FTP? Rory

Thanks for the replies

Currently we use Mastercam only for the “specials” and all other programming is done at the machine controls. We would like to set up our shop with 1 or 2 dedicated programmers to do about 80 - 90% of the programming. Has anybody been through the process of setting up a system like this? If so, what kind of problems did you experience?

Why must a circle be broken into two pieces in order for the machine to follow the geometry? Does it have anything to do with breakarcs in the post? Thanks, Rory

I have a tip to share for doing a file search on your computer. I use it to search for engineering drawings to be converted. The operating system we are using is "Windows 2000 Professional", the procedure for other Windows systems will be similar, but I dont think it will work on Win95. 1.) Open Windows Explorer 2.) Click on the folder you want to search in. 3.) Hit the "F3" button on the keyboard to open the Search feature. 4.) Enter any number to start a search then click on "Search Now". Imediatly after starting the search, click on "Stop Search". 5.) Delete the number prevoisly entered to search for. 6.) Go to the top of the screen and select "File", then select "save search". 7.) Enter a name for the search and save it to a folder where you can go to retreave it from. 8.)At the top of "Windows Explorer" click on the "Folders" option. 9.)Go to the folder where the new file was just saved, Select the file and drag it down to the "Quick Launch" toolbar at the botttom of the screen next to the "Start" button. Now anytime you need to do a search, you just click once on the icon on the "Quick Launch" toolbar, and the search window will open up already assigned to the folder to search in. Rory

I added the following: pcomment if gcode = 1008, "COMMENT = ", scomm, e to the lathe set up sheet .set to output comments. The problem I am running into now is that the comment is output at the very beginning of the file, before, "CUSTOMIZABLE LATHE SETUP SHEET - LATHE.SET", e. I would like the comment to be placed at each tool change so the operator knows what the tool is supposed to do. It doesnt seem to matter where I put the call out for pcomment or where the actual pcomment is positioned in the post. Does anybody have any ideas on how to proceed? Rory

I'm programming the X14 "G0 X14 Z10"

I called Hardinge, and they told me the X coordinate comes from the center of the (VDI) tool holder pocket. Not from the tip of the tool as you would think. So when I told it to go to X14 the center of the pocket was there but the turning tool was at around X8. So I guess that means I got a "crash" course. Rory

Ok now I dont understand what is going on. I have the home position set as X14 Z10. We have a 10" chuck, yet when the machine pulled back to do a tool change it ripped the part out of the chuck. When we look at the position (ABS & Machine) It says its at X14 but it is really sitting at about 8". Why is the tool sitting at 8" and the machine reads 14"? Rory

Chris, Would you be suggesting a sub similar to the following? M98 P1 % o0001 (SAFE START) G0 G40 G97 G98 T0 X#501 Z#502 M99 % The sub call could be inserted into the Post file as a literal string to replace the "Home Position" move. Being as how this is a macro program the user can change the variables without touching the main program.

Garry, Welcome to the forum! Thanks for the input. It helps to get some advise. Rory

That was easy enough, Im supprised it didnt jump out and hit me. Thanks

In Lathe, where do I find the place to set up the "System Default" Home Position. Its probably right in front of me but I cant seem to find it. Rory

I am in the process of showing some guys at work how to use the lathe package, they grew up using Fanuc's FAPT system. When we got into doing a finish profile they wanted to finish from the chuck outward towards the tail stock (from big Diameter to small diameter). It doesnt seem as though MC is set up to easily work this way. I was able to get it to work, but needed to make at least three changes to the operation and lead in / out parameters. Has there ever been any debate in the form about which direction to finish? Does anybody prefer one over the other? Rory

I would like to see our company update to version 9 to stay current. (We have V8 Mill and Lathe combined into one package) I recieved a quote from our dealer and took it to my boss for approval. He said he cant justify the expence unless I give him some specific productivity gains. Can anyone help out? I would like to know what has become easier or quicker, or even less likely to cause a crash. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Rory

Yes, I did contact the dealer. and no they dont have the V8 cd any more. We have 2 new users and I want to bring them up to speed. Rory

Does anyone have a demo cd for V8, or possibly know where I can get a hold of one? Rory

Jim, Thanks for the help. It worked great. Rory

hello all, I tried to assign a config file to the post file. I followed what was described on the help menu, but no success. It gives me an error of "File not found" Any ideas? Rory

We uninstalled MC, then reinstalled. I made the changes as needed and saved them as an assigned cfg. Now I can have it set up the way I like to run with out affecting the next guy. Thanks for the help. Rory

Hello all, Its been a while. We installed Mastercam on a different computer yesterday. we have 8.1. I transfered the post, and configuration files to the new computer, but when i start Mastercam the tool bar at the top only shows numbers, no icons. Rory

Roger, The second call "202" tells the control which offset to use for the tool. Tool 2 offset 2. The 02 comes in because the control typically can handle 99 tools, so there is two spaces. Hope this helps, Rory