So far - it all shows up ok in the device manager with no conflicts or problems noted - that is just one of the things that puzzles me.... I noted that the sound card shares IRQ 3 with the USB 2.0 card - but it didn't seem to matter when I pulled the USB card out. All in all, Cimco Editor was never at fault - it just used a file (who knows which one) that was apparently corrupted, missing, or the wrong version - possiblly as a result of the overheated memory. A full reload of everything from scratch has cured the crashes.

Yes, the modem card works, a USB 2.0 expansion card works, and the network adapter works.

I am using a brand-new SoundBlaster Audigy LS, there is no onboard sound driver (not even an external output for a MB speaker). I have checked out the new sound card on another XP system along with the speakers - no problem. I have run the Soundblaster diagnostics - the card comes up as a pass - just no sound. I have checked all the settings for headphones/speakers/digital output/mute/volume, I have run through the "windows help" several times. I have checked for IRQ conflicts and harware issues - everything comes up good and no issues. JUST NO SOUND!!! My USB heaphones work - I get sound there. I even swapped around to different PCI slots to no avail - included removing everything but the sound card and the video card (in an AGP slot). All I can come up with is that I must have fried something ont he motherboard.....

OK - I have MC back with Cimco Edit working correctly. I formatted the C drive and reloaded from scratch, got a new computer case that has a zillion fans (the quiet ones), the memory is running barely warm now, ran full memory tests, checked them out in another computer, and am otherwise about ready to fall over. BUT I CAN PROGRAM!!!!! Now if I only had some sound - can't figure that one yet - been through help and everything

I saw the motor by Jerry Howell (He lives here in Colorado Springs) - it starts easy and runs very nicely. It was a real draw at the trade show here in the Springs. You can't go far wrong by starting with a proven design before branching out on your own. I even have plans for a DeHaviland, a Pratt and Whitney, a Offenhauser six, and several others. They will have to wait until I finish the run of BR2's.

I gave your suggestion a try, Bullines. Unfortunately it only gives me a ***STOP: 0x0000007F with no files mentioned. My system has gotten progressively less stabile and I no longer have any sound output - although all the parts check out ok. I did an intensive mem check and had no failures. At this point I can't afford to spend much more time. I have backed everything up and am now going to blow the system away - completely and rebuild it.

I moved the dll's - same crashes still occur with 4.33.11 and the latest version 4.33.23. I completely REMOVED all of the nvidia programs and drivers and am running the generic XP driver - still crashing. At this point I am contemplating FDISK....

FYI - the last Cimco Editor version that I was running was 4.33.11. I didn't seem to have any issues with it. Just for giggles - I will reload it and see if it also crashes. I am betting that it will becasue at this point, I don't think it is the editor itself.

An update.... The crash occurrs immediately upon executing Cimco Edit from within MC or stand-alone. However, in an effort to get going again, I switched to the "built-in" MC editor - SAME crash! Regardless of the choice of editor - same crash. Based on this - I would guess that it is NOT the version of editor I am running, but most likely one of the DLL files. I never get as far as seeing an editor open - it simply shuts down the computer in an instant "reboot". A completely wild-hair diversion is that my 1 GB of memory is FREAKING HOT!!!! I burnt my fingertips on them - that just doesn't seem right..... I am going to invest in some additional cooling in my Comp - cant hurt.. I am off to try some of your suggestions - if I am not heard from for a few hours - I probably augered in...

ARRRRGGGGHHHH Cimco Edit OEM 4.33.23 is crashing and rebooting my computer. I just updated my Nvidia drivers - tried rolling them back to no effect. Even deinstalled and reinstalled Cimco Edit. Also completely tore out the video card and drivers and started from scratch - same deal. Naturally I have about 5 jobs piling up. Running WinXP Pro - up to date, MC 9.1 SP2 with all updates. All my other programs seem to be fine...... After the reboot, I get a windows error message that it recovered from a serious error - due to an undetermined device driver. I have rolled everything back - still no joy - any ideas?

The books "the Shop Wisdom of Philip Duclos" and "Two Shop Masters" available from Village Press have about 10 fully serialized, ready to build IC engines between the two books. You will probably have to get them from Ebay or Amazon - they don't appear to be in print any more. Personally, I am working on 5 copies of the Lee Hodgson 9-cylinder Bentley BR2 Rotary engine. http://www.agelessengines.com/

quote: There used to be a magazine called "Strictly internal combustion". The owner/publisher is on in years and stopped publishing a few years ago, but sells back issues. The web address is: http://www.strictlyic.com/ They appear to still be selling back issues - there are many! I have a complete set myself.

Coffee mug - Thailand TI-36X - China Radio - China Notebook - USA Pentel Pen - Japan Keyboard - Thailand Mouse - China Monitor - Thailand Printer - Japan Desk - USA Ergo Chair - Canada GAAAA I am surrounded!!!!!!

Thanks very much for the update - I wish all companies were as responsible. It is one of the many reasons I just won't move from MasterCam!

And a very good thought it is - I just got a dozen 6-foot lengths of 1 x 2 aluminum bars (with the factory markings still showing) for just a little above scrap value. Absolutely prime material! I can't use it for parts needing certs, but for fixturing - great stuff.

I really like some of the Chick or Kurt options, but right now the big problem is $$$. I am building the business and have reached the region where I really have to take advantage of unattended evening hours. Being more creative with fixturing was one method that I identified as having a good return on investment. The money situation dictates that I try to stay inexpensive in the short run. The Chick or Kurt options are anything but inexpensive - cost effective perhaps, but not inexpensive. However, they are a significant possibility in the future. Both the fixure plates and "home-rolled" tombstones sound like good possibilities. Fitting the jaws with pins also sounds like an excellent suggestion. Thanks much for the ideas!!!!

quote: Well I have made myself internal block to go inside of boxes if wanting to hold them in a mightybee type clamp. GREAT IDEA! Didn't even consider that. It would work very nicely with one of the larger boxes that I have to make (rather odd shaped, but overall dimensions of 17.0 x 5.25 inches). Holding it in multiple Kurts was a pain. And making them out of ABS or Ertalyte would hold down on the "scratches" on the finished surfaces. Thanks for the thoughts!!!

JM2C I would be surprised if he could get one side flat.....

tim, I am running a smaller VMC (Fadal 3016L) with a Stevens Plate on the bed. Typical quantities are 1 to 30 pieces. A "real" production run for me is 300-500 pieces (just got one - 3rd repeat of this part). I don't do a lot of repeat work on the same part, but do a lot of "similar" work for a few customers (i.e. RF boxes in a variety of rectagular sizes). I might see the same part 1-2 times a year, but I am doing a pretty good job of hanging onto repeat customers. However, I am getting rather tired of chasing 2-3 Kurt vises around the place (not to mention that they are bloody heavy) just to get one finished part off at a time (typical op is front, back, and one or more sides). Putting up a dedicated sub-plate is something that I have done, but I don't have a lot of storage room and that approach doesn't seem to make sense when I rarely repeat a particular part. What I am trying to figure out is a way of using my Stevens Plate along with some tooling blocks that would allow me to make "vises" pretty much anywhere on the Stevens Plate. I was thinking of some sort of slider block with a through slot for bolting to the Stevens Plate. The slider block would have a Mitee-Bite Bulldog clamp incorporated into the surface. This would (I think) let me clamp onto the bottom .100 of various sizes of rectagular blocks and allow me to cut out the shape and mill the inside. It would also be compact enough for me to set up several pieces at once. I just haven't come up with a means to hold onto the part when I flip it over to cut off the back (I can't mar the sides of the machined box). The Kurt vise does a good job - but again, I have limited room. Millman - I agree with trying to get a complete part off with every cycle. I have burnt myself too many times with doing a front, then a back, then a side, then another side, then .... oh crap, this part isn't actually symetrical and I put it in the wrong way ....... and then have to start all over at the beginning just to get one more good part off the mill. The 4th axis tombstone sounds like a good possibility (I do have a 4th with this mill). I will have to ponder that one.

At the moment, I have been attempting to figure out how to increase my parts count on the mill, increase my fixturing flexibility, and do more lights out running. With only one mill and a limited budget, invention has been required. While I really like some of the high-density work holding devices - they are just out of reach right now ($$$). Eventually, I would like to move to a pallet system. That, however, is for the future. I have been playing with some of the lost-cost fixturing options like those offered by Mitee-Bite with some good success. However, true flexibility is still an issue. I have worked out a somewhat flexible system based on the Stevens Plate on my mill, coupled with a variety of sub-plates. Has anyone else worked out some low-cost, but flexible solutions?

This has been an interesting thread to follow. On other contracts, it has always been the "flexible" part that has eluded me to some extent.

I know what you mean about DFM not being taught. I still hold regular classes with fresh out engineers to try to give them some of the basics of manufacturing and technical writing skills. Unfortunately, it is not like when I got out of college - my first company put me with every office and shop for at least a month over the space of 14 months before they let me design the first item. The machine shops, assembly lines, and PCB fab shops were real eye openers. My second company had me spend 6 months in the tool and die shop just polishing and basic mold making before I could do my first design. I really, really, really like CAD/CAM after exposure to pencil and paper drafting, slide rules, and manual machines (not to mention draw-filing and hand flaking).

Well - here is hoping you have an evening that is non-eventful - I hate the ones where very loud noises emanate from a mill or lathe..... As for me - I am closing down after an 18-hour day.....

I do understand what you mean about the larger surfacing files - and I do the same thing with the biggies. Run backplot and look for the obvious - hit go on the machine..... Especially when it took hours just to gin up the tool path.

Lay on MacDuff!!