I'm running v9.1 sp2.

"I was looking around the in the c-hooks folder and clicked on the MCUtils.."

How is it that I don't have this?

Thanks for the replies. I had forgotten abour circle mill. I had problems with it in v7 and stopped using it. Seems to be ok now. And yes I need to drill. I'm machining a .055 dia .181 deep in 416 stainless.

Thanks for the help.

I've got about 600+ holes I need to mill. I'm having trouble getting the milling operation to follow the point sorting from the previous drill operation. I put the file in: ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MC...es/TRAY_ALLOPS_

Any input is greatly appreciated.

I've got about 600+ holes I need to mill. I'm having trouble getting the milling operation to follow the point sorting from the previous drill operation. I put the file in: ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MC9_files/

Any input is greatly appreciated.

"Would that be in *Toolpaths *Surface *Finish *SNAZZY?"

Nah. More like *Toolpaths *Surface *Finish *Nifty

I worked with WorkNC about 9 years ago in combination with Pro-E for design. WorkNC, at the time, was a CAM-only package, which meant a lot of strategy on the Pro-E side. One of the remarkable things in WorkNC, which I have only seen in a Japanese package called Camtool, was its ability to keep track of stock which had already been cut. That meant subsequent tools only cut what had been left over without crashing into remaining areas. Another remarkable thing about WorkNC was that it had a couple of really snazzy toolpaths that created awesome finishes for molds.

I don't know how WorkNC has evolved over the years. Nine years ago it had a lot of limitations as far as setting boundaries along parting lines, cutting in 2-D, etc.. I woulnd't mind taking it for a drive again. As far as Mastercam goes: I have the flexibility I like that I did not have with the Pro-E/WorkNC combo.

But as some one said a few posts back: one has to be creative with whatever one is using. And that is what makes this work so interesting. The cad and cam packages are just the tools in the hands of the artisan.

Vlad-

Can you place the file on the server or send it to me by email? I just happen to be doing some engraving right now and I may be able to help you.

I've had a number of issues with Mastercam, as I've had with Pro-E, Unigraphics, WorkNC and Smartcam. Yet I don't find MC to be any more stable or unstable than all the others-- though hardware can be a big issue. What I do like is MC's ease of use. I trained myself to use it and I've found it to be the most intuitive CaD/CAM I've worked with.

Maybe fastercam should take Smartcam for a spin to really appreciate Mastercam.

First of all I want to thank everyone for the input on my question about scallop cuts, especially Hardmill.

I'm considering setting up a RAMdisk on my computer to speed things up. Any one out there using this critter with MC -- now or in the past?

Must be having server problems. I'll try again later.

Thanks for your help.

Hardmill-

I checked my email; are you sure you have the correct address? I did not receive anything. I'll send you an email so you have a return address.

The control is FANUC, whatever the latest version is. (Do they ever change?)

Hardmill: I sent you the file by email. This is the best I've been able to with fin-proj-blend 3d.

"1.Why don't you put your file on the ftp site.

2. What kind of control is on your Mori??

3. If the processing time is slow you should upgrade

to Maint. Z-level processing is much faster.

What ver. are you using???"

1:ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MC9_files/INS_A_NC

2::Mori NVD5000 (less than 2 years old)

3: MC v 9.1 SP.2

I tried using surface-fin-project-blend 3d but haven’t gotten anything satisfactory.

Is there a surface-finish-project-blend 3d sample file that came with MC? I don't see it in my install. Has anyone uploaded one to the ftp site?

“Also, when trying the surface-finish-contour path, on the last tab, check the "use flats" option. The toolpath will then do a true constant z finish and then come back and finish all flats with the same tool.”

This looks ok. We’ll see what it looks like when it’s done cutting.

“What are your allocations ?”

Database allocations: 512000 in kbs

Toolpath allocations: 256000 in kbs

This computer has 1 gig of RAM and I still have to find an optimum setting.

Sorry about the double post.

I placed the file here: ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MC...es/INS_A_NC.MC9

A clarification: the WorkNC toolpath I was so fond of was actually called "3D Drive Curve Finishing," which you can see on this page:http://www.sescoi.com/sescoi.nsf/wnc_finishingtoolpaths.html?OpenPage&charset=iso-8859-1

I've been trying to use MC's surface finish constant scallop to get the kind of toolpath WorkNC calls Constant Z-Level finish. The results haven't been inspiring; the processing time is pathetic and when I run the program on our Mori Sieke I get feeds of between 2 IPM to 20 IPM of my programmed 50 IPM. What I liked about MorkNC' constant Z-level toolpath was the consistency of tool scallops and the great finish.

Any hints or suggestions?

I've been trying to use MC's surface finish constant scallop to get the kind of toolpath WorkNC calls Constant Z-Level finish. The results haven't been inspiring; the processing time is pathetic and the when I run the program on our Mori Sieke I get feeds of between 2 IPM to 20 IPM of my programmed 50 IPM. What I liked about MorkNC' constant Z-level toolpath was the consistency of tool scallops and the great finish.

Any hints or suggestions?

Just wanted to thank everyone for their comments. This looks like a great forum. I'll be visiting often.

I'm in the process of acquiring a much needed faster computer. Any opinions on processors like Xeon and video cards? I looked up Mastercam's requirements; just looking for what might work best.

Thanks in advance.