dacey, a whole lot of "generic" post processors are provided with the "legal" Mastercam disks. Almost all of them require some level of "tweaking" to make them machine-specific (or user-specific - we all have our ways of doing things). In some cases, it takes major work to get a post dialed in for a specific machine. Some members do the the "tweaking" themselves, some folks hire the expertise, and others buy a post from those who do it for a living. In all cases, it wasn't "free".....in some cases it was doggoned expensive..... On a certain level, it is rather like asking you for a set of your car keys so that I can use it whenever I feel like...... I suspect that these reasons, more than anything else, are why results from someone asking for a post... Edited::: MANNNNN I don't know what happened - when I started to reply, dacey's post was the last one in the topic - now my reply is a page later - WHO HIT the time warp button????????

Not to mention forgeting to set the spindle speed to something reasonable and/or turning down the spindle speed % with a nice new edge finder in the holder. 12,000 RPM and you have a nice edge finder bullet....... I get to program my parts, set them up, and run them. While I am getting much better and require fewer tweaks - I still have the occasional brain dump. Early this week, I programmed for a 1/2 endmill - installed a 3/4 endmill - set it all up - hit go - and CRINGED. Dang it - that part is awfull small..........

I have used several of the gear cutters shown in the following link: http://www.mscdirect.com/PDF.process?pdf=4...d=575&Keyword=Y I made my own arbor so that I could use them in the mill with my 4th axis. If you can figure out what module or DP the gears are cut to (perhaps the package of a replacement gear would show it) you can choose the right cutter. The more "common" sizes are fairly inexpensive. I have also successfully made my own "single point" cutters for oddball gearing out of oil-hardening drill rod. I have done them by hand - but a CNC lathe makes it fairly easy. If you use the gear generator in MC for the right gearing and isolate a single "space" between teeth - that becomes the "form" of your cutter tooth.

I have also been having "fun" with my tool libraries - I finally got around to making my own library with all the tools that I use routinely. Makes it much easier to locate them and haul em in..... There are definitely folks here that can help you get your post questions answered - often a "search" of the forum will yield several ways of accomplishing a specific task. Welcome to the forum, may you "post" long and often!

Before getting hammered severely about the head and shoulders, might I suggest reading the following topic? http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...ic;f=1;t=008993 Your MasterCam reseller should be able to fix you right up with an appropriate post.....

Yes, you need to start with SolidWorks and then add the flow modeling program. I would suggest contacting your local dealer as pricing will vary. You might start here: http://www.solidworks.com/pages/company/So...eWorldwide.html

My memories are of sitting next to the radio listening to "The Green Hornet", "The Lone Ranger", "Mystery Radio Hour", "Superman", "The Shadow", and several others - we didn't have a TV for a long time, just Armed Forces Radio..... It is somewhat sobering to know that the actors and actresses in the movies you grew up watching are, for the most part, gone...

+1 to Jimmy - the SolidWorks module works nicely. Look here: http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/c...osfloworks.html

I have ProE, Mechanical Desktop, and SolidWorks. I have used ProE for about 4 years, AutoDesk products for over 14 years, and SolidWorks for about 1-1/2 years. Can you guess which one I use for design work? SolidWorks all the way..... It has proven (for me) to be easier to become productive in. I had a 24-hour basic instruction course at the dealer's and about a year later set up another 24-hour course of instruction in advanced topics. The limited Cosmos Express gives me all I need for general stress analysis. JM2C

Not to mention the inevitable "has anyone got a post for......".

+1 on the dead-sharp HSS tooling - I found climb cutting (for the most part) worked best on the woods I was cutting.

not so far.... Directions! Directions! Guys don't read no directions...... [ 01-27-2004, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: MetalMarvels ]

That means I would have to give back my avatar.

I would suggest switching to the MPFADAL1.pst or the MPFADAL2.pst (depending on whether your 4020 is in Format 1 or Format 2) or even better, obtain a copy of MPMASTER-FADAL.pst from your MC reseller. The MPFAN.pst is not really the best to use with a 4020. You will also need to "setup" your post according to the equipment you have - for example, the 4th axis question at the end of the post processor needs to be set to "n" for no. Your reseller can certainly help you get your post operating more or less correctly. Do you have "Start at Center" checked in the Helix Bore Parameters tab?

Which version of MC and what post are you using with this?

Today I am making connector panels for RF communications equipment. Yesterday was indexing rings for wood lathes. Tomorrow, who knows......

I believe that Iskander is referring to SECTION.dll. If you use the "alt" + "C" button while in MasterCam, a screen of available C-hooks will show up. SECTION.dll is just one of many very handy "tools" that are available. If you look in your MasterCam directory under the "CHOOKS" directory, you will find a whole series of *.DOC and *.TXT files that explain the usage of the various Chook files - VERY neat stuff in here. Some of the really handy ones have a habit of being incorporated directly into MasterCam!

Absolutely true Millman on letting the Fadal do the numbering! However, I generally keep mine numbered in the NC file so that I can quickly flip back and forth between machine and posted code - I get easily confused otherwise. With 4 megs in my mill, I haven't had to DNC anything in a very long time...... Which is just as well, since my RS232 line is a bit long for supporting a fast DNC feed. On my circa 2001 mill, I have not had a problem with up to 76,856 lines (biggest non-DNC program I have run on this mill).

+1 to James! That is exactly what I did for my Fadal post (for my 3016L). If you don't and the numbers roll over in your posted program, the mill won't correctly interpret how to "start-over" when you try to begin machining again in mid-program. You can end up with some very hosed-up moves when the line numbers repeat.

Thanks for the inputs. I am currently using Mobil Vactra #2 as the way lube. It seems to separate nicely from the coolant. No odor (bacteria) problems after several months use. The brass however is leeching out copper at a fairly high rate. I will have to dump the whole sump and steam clean it....... nuts... Thanks again for the replies!

I am currently using Swiss-lube blasocut 2000SW in my mill (about 15%). I mostly run aluminum, but was running a sizeable job in brass recently. While running the brass, my coolant color gradually changed from a milk-color to a pastel green - indicative of a high copper content (I think...). My question of the forum members: Has anyone has an adverse experience with a coolant that has picked up copper ions causing problems with other metals (i.e. plating out on the other metal). As an interesting side-note, a quicky test with a lead billet showed that it did plate the lead with copper (as expected). I have not had problems with aluminum, steel, or stainless steel so far (based on the dissimilar metals "corrosion" charts, I wouldn't expect a problem, but....). I have cleaned out the fines from the sump, but hate to dump the tank if I don't have too. Any experience with this problem???

quote: You don't think the code in Mastercam gets written by itself do you? WHAT! They don't have AI-driven auto-coding software for generating new versions of MasterCam??? I am crushed.......

How about: "We need a bigger boat!"

cadcam, the Pts2Arcs.dll worked like a charm - even allowed me to pick certain colors of points!!! It did give me a "message 1" and "message 2" "not found" error but worked anyways. Thanks. Problem eliminated!

Thanks, robk. I will check that as soon as I get home - Honeywell doesn't like me checking my email from here.....