I'll give it a try....thanks

The problem I was having yesterday with not being able to bring in a custom tool to contour a toolpath seems to be something corrupted with the files. This morning we tried the same thing on another computer that has MC9 created the geometry on it and it worked like a champ on the other computer. I get a warning message "Problem with custom tool file or data" on my computer even if I select custom file or custom level....it shows up in an error message....or in the bottom left of the define tool page....Any Ideas?

I just emailed GCode and told him that we tried the same thing I am trying on another computer that has MC9 0n it. Doing the same thing I was doing....it worked on the other computer. I must have some corrupted files or something....Any Ideas? Thanks, Ruger2

Sometimes the tool looks like it comes to a point in verify. To get the tool to look even close to what it is supposed to be doing....I have to cut on center of the toolpath instead of climb milling to the left of the toolpath. I keep getting the message...."Problems with custom tool file or data". It comes up as a warning....or is shown at the bottom right of the "Define Tool" page and a red "X" is shown on the right side thru the tool geometry?

After creating a MC9 file in X and y +....to the exact dimensions of the tool geometry I need the tool to be....I save it in the tools folder. I then call up the MC9 file I am working with and select toolpaths....contour and select the toolpath I want. When I right click in the white area of tool parameters I select create new tool. I select tool type undefined. I enter .0625 for the diameter and 6.0 for the tip angle. I believe I am to select custom file at the bottom of that same page. It then takes me to the tools folder and asks me to name the file to be saved....when I do that I get an error message that says "Problems with custom tool file or data." Is this the correct procedure and why the error message. Thanks, Ruger2

I think I might have it. It seems to me that in verify the tool should look bigger than it does. An 1/8" em looks like a 3/8" em....however the 1/16" tapered em looks like a needle. It is probably just me....but I will find out when I run it. Thanks for all your help, Ruger2

Well....I actually did it both ways. When I run in verify it is either a miniture tool or a 3 bladed knife....YIKES!!!!!!!!

I did. In the mc9 file should I be to the actual sizes of the tool as far as taper and diameter?

I am pretty sure I didn't.

Thanks Gcode....but I think I am doing what you suggested. If you will read my original question The only thing I forgot was to mention that I put a 3 deg. taper on the side. I used a centerline and it is in the top view in X+ and Y+. I must be missing something.

I get a message....Problems with custom tool file or data when I try to get the MC9 file which is the tool profile.

Thanks for your response....how do I do what you suggested?

I am running MC9. I created a tool profile to size in X+ Y+ using a centerline from X0 Y0 to Y+ 2.0". It is a 1/16" 6 deg. included tapered endmill. I saved it in the tool folder. When I call it up....it is a miniture tool....with a miniture toolpath. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Ruger2

Thanks again Anubis....I think I figured it out but it is always good to get you guys responses. When they give me a project like this the first thing I think about is emastercam.

Enter a positive number in the Top of Stock box (+.190) in this case. Checkmark Depth of Cut and enter amount of cut you want to take.

Thanks Anubis for your help in figuring out how to cut a circular angle depth. Is there a way to control depth of cuts? Z0 to Z -.190 all in one cut will surely break the endmill.

That's exactly what I am looking....Thank you for yor help. I couldn't figure that one out. I have cut on an angle before....but not on a circle. Thanks again.

Hi guys, I am running Ver. 9.1. I am trying to figure out how to cut a circular tool path on a .625" diameter with a .125" ballnose endmill. In Z one end is Z0 and 180 degrees from there Z is -.190". As the tool returns following the .625" diameter circle it returns to Z0. In other words the endmill starts at a Z0 point on a .625" diameter....travels on the circle at an angle 180 degrees down to a depth of -.190". Then retuns on the circle back up the angle to Z0. I hope this is clear. Thanks in advance. Ruger2

Good Morning All, I am running MC9.1 MR0105. Is there any way to convert Autocad (Autodesk) files to Iges files? I know that our hasp allows us to convert ProE files, but don't know how....or if convert the above mentioned. Also, can I convert Solidworks to Iges files. Thanks in advance for being there to help. Rob R.

Thanks MLS, Kannon sent me an email and did pretty much the same thing. I am going to do some trial and error as you guys suggested and learn something. I appreciate your help. Ruger2

Goooooooooooood Morning! We received 2 models from a company. When I convert the Iges file I get a message...... Draft Message Warning - Drafting entity contais forward pointer - Associativity removed. I did a search on this forum and found a message from 2004 with the same problem but didn't get too much from it. The model looks ok..... will it be alright to toolpath? Also when opening 1 of these models I got a message....... Warning - Zero length spline Any take on this? I am running Version 9.1 MR0105 Thanks, Ruger2

Thanks for the replies. As I mentioned I have done this many times with very similiar types of valve bodies and have always had success. The toolpaths are not revolved. What I can't understand is why just this one time on one toolpath did it do this? Ruger2

Forgot mention running version 9.1. Ruger2

This is a new one on me. I take an Iges file of a cylinder valve, which our company makes, and split it in half. Once I write all the tool paths on one side, I simply mirror around the Y axis because in this case both halves are symetrical. The goal is to end up with 2 mirrored halves to capture the valve so it can be machined. I have done this many, many times. I usually start the tool at the same place on the part which means on the mirror image I have to reverse the tool path. IE. 90 to 270 reversed is 270 to 90. This time on the mirror image on one of the tool paths that I reversed, in verify it would get to that tool path stop, and shut down Mastercam. The ony fix was to run the tool path in the same direction on both parts. This has NEVER happened before. Any clues? Ruger2

I do alot of engraving and my favorite is a center drill at 5000 RPM with a light amount of oil applied to the part. The smaller the lettering the smaller the center drill and depth of cut.