I create a slot mill with the proper diameters and make it rounded to approximation a thread mill. This way you dont need to make a custom tool and its a very close approximation.

Can't go wrong with Solidworks. Awesome software.

Thanks Ken, I think that's the issue. Somone came to the shop and was showing him how to use the conversational side of the control. After this, it no longer ran his old programs, I will have him switch the Change editor option and see what happens.

Ok I found the problem! G code in the machine has been switched from a hurco style nc code to FANUC style code. For example, G81 cycle has absolute z depths instead of incremental positive to R point... And G2/G3 arcs went from abs to delta start center. So the generic hurco post is fine. I now have them running mpmaster to get by. Now, the question is - how do you get it to go back into the Hurco style code? The customers says it's in "industry standard" mode. When we tried "basic" mode his older programs still do not run. Is there some other setting in the control. Hurco gurus please help!

Well the issue is that the default hurco post changes the arc mode to absolute (abs IJK vs Dlta IJK start to center) when in absolute programing (G90/G91) mode, and for a particular customers machine it needs to be in delta start to center. So I removed the logic and its working great with IJKs now. Im thinking most people use Rs and don't run into this issue.

Can someone please enlighten me as to the G02/03 format on the hurco when using IJKs? When posting absolute code, is it Delta Start to Center format? A page form the manual would be awesome so I could just have it on file! Any help would be appreciated!

You are correct, the 5x post will not rotate about the z axis like a 4x post will, you have to put it into 5x mode by throwing in a small angle.

Here are some tips: If you chain more than one thing, the largest area is the cut area. Every other chain will be an "island" or something the tool will avoid. In the example above, you must chain the big square, because you want to cut it, and the U shaped "island" because you want to avoid that. I will post some pics to make it clearer.

+1 for open office please! I don't load MS office on my computer, not enough ram to open up Mastercam and Solidworks and Office on a 32 bit OS!

You would want P2 or P4 then... this alternates the cutting side of the insert. Id almost go with p4 since you say that towards the end when the material is not cutting much , it starts to chatter. The P4, will keep the cutting depths constant as opposed to keeping the cutting area constant by gradually making the cut depths smaller. If this is not clear let us know.

I year ya Jimmy, that's why I threw the page up. It's hard to teach an old dog that new trick is actullay not a big marketing scam. Even I was shocked to see that it actually delivered!

make sure you have start from center selected so It makes a large linear lead in. Your lead in must be larger than what is in your tool offset page...

Awesome, I will try to lessen the step over next time. That particular machine maxes out at 157 IPM cutting federate, so I set the microlift for .02" and 150 ipm, but maybe if I lower the feed, it will move faster. I smell experiment #3. Thanks for all the input, this is what I hopped for.

OMG that is sooooooooooooo cool!

I don't understand what the huge problem is? Mastercam can do this very easily with an advanced multiaxis path and an axis substitution post mod. We also have a grinding application that uses axis subs to get the job done.

email me [email protected] when you get it up on the ftp, i have an instruction manual I wrote once, and if its similar it might apply.

One thing that amazed me was how cold the part was. The path really does make it possible to take a properly loaded cut and pull all those chips and heat away. Makes me want to cut everything dry! Thats right Jimmy, I'm trying let them know they already have this awesome stuff and to just give it a try.

I made them MP4s, I thought that was fairly generic, I guess not. Format : MPEG-4 Codec ID : M4VP -- I use the Full K-lite codec pack. It open almost everything except for techsmith videos... http://www.free-codecs.com/K_Lite_Codec_Pack_download.htm

here you go, this has to work: http://69.50.202.57/~alvaro/cadcam/masterc...namic_mill.html

Really???? Works here in NJ. Try this.... http://69.50.202.57/~alvaro/cadcam/masterc...namic_mill.html

I wanted to test out the new dynamic mill and see if it was all hype or a truly clever toolpath. I must say I was extremely impressed with the results, I could not believe how awesome it worked! I threw together a page with pictures and videos, check it out. I used High Speed tooling for frugality, but even at 4K RPM it moves pretty quick. http://www.alvarogil.com/cadcam/mastercam/...namic_mill.html We concluded that when doing deep pockets, the dynamic is much much much faster than a traditional pocket!

Site up, Let me know what you think. I will start another thread. http://www.alvarogil.com/cadcam/mastercam/...namic_mill.html

Today I'm going to post some Pics/Videos of Dynamic mill vs a Zig Zag tool path. It's really awesome. Stay tuned!

X+ is lightning fast and simple to use. Active reports has it's place, but I see X+ being more useful for 80% of users.

Make sure the toolpath filter is on, 3:1 and that will dramatically cut the toolpath size down, and probably run faster on your machine. You might not need subs. Also, whats your depth of cut? I found that you can do 2X diameter with dynamic...