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John Morris

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Everything posted by John Morris

  1. The sphere (Solid on level 7) is just for the stock for the verify. Which by the way you have to use the 5 axis option in verify to see it correctly. I had to move all your geometry around and reset the WCS to origin to start and somehow "lost" your solid, so I re-created it on center. To use axis substitution and use a simple contour I have to create all my geometry on Z zero on TOP plane. Then the depths are normal and when you activate the axis sub it will wrap everything around whatever diameter you specify. Now in this example I needed to go an extra step to get it to follow the “curve of the ball”. So to get this straight in my brain I have think about whatever is going to be “wrapped” around my A axis has to be stretched out in a line. Side note here; that line should equal to the circumference of the OD of the part unless you want geometry to overlap. Now to emulate unwrapping a ball I created a curved surface on level 5. Notice that the top of the curve/arc is at Z zero, the surface is also created parallel to the Y axis (the axis being substituted). Then I took your geometry (with a copy shifted over in the Y) and used transform-Project to surface (and I used “use new attributes” and put the created geometry on another level). Now we have your geometry on a curved surface on Z zero, basically except for curvy bits which follow the curve. With new projected geometry we create a simple contour with no lead ins, cutter comp off and most importantly the Linking data Z depths incremental so the tool will follow the contour, I recommend turning off all the other levels and using the window (with 3d select active) selection tool to get you geometry, this will automatically switch your op to 3D. I would highly recommend you create the contour like you were machining flat first then check out the resulting path then go back in and activate the axis rotation. Another note when axis subbing, keep your work coordinate working from center as much as possible both in MC and at the machine. I do a lot of axis subbing but I have never had an opportunity to machine on a sphere, but it looks like fun.
  2. Is this what you had in mind? EXAMPLE2.MCX-7
  3. Aaron, you are correct. I was shaking my head no, but it turns out the key is to use the ctrl-mouse wheel ( per John McCord above) to zoom and it sticks (for me anyway). Before I read your post I was just using the slider at the bottom which apparently does not stick.
  4. Thanks Guys, I had not seen the zoom slider or even thought about zoom as being a work around. Zoom will work I suppose, I was hoping for a font setting that would repeat each time you open it. Maybe there is a setting to keep the zoom where ever you leave it . . . . . . .
  5. I'm trying to find the setting in the new Mastercam Code Expert editor to change the font size to something a bit larger. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
  6. +1 to Brian on the op type. I would add that you should check the "Copy source operations" and the box under that for "Disable posting . . . ".
  7. Try deleting all the G54's or whatever work coordinate is in the posted (G-code) program. Then sub it out of mazatrol and see if behaves they way you want. Otherwise make sure your G54 (or whatever your G-code is calling ) is set to the same coordinates as the WPC in mazatrol.
  8. I would try creating just a geometry point appx. where you are going to start probing and create a toolpath point and describe your probe as a tool and rapid to that point, then add your manual entry.
  9. If you are new to the mazak you may or may not know that Mazak has free phone support for service or application help. Check the website http://www.mazakusa.com/locator.asp and find the office near you to call. Have your machine serial number handy, they will ask for it. To be honest you will likely have to leave a message but they will call you back and most of the time they can get you going in the right direction.
  10. Guys, Thanks for the input. As it turns out the screen resolution is the key. The larger the screen resolution the smaller the font appears on the print out.
  11. Chris, I do use drafting note a lot but I like the fact that MC automaticlly prints the file name and path along the top of the sheet. If i put in a note then I have to type it in or paste it into the note. I have noticed that other computers around the shop print with different size font, I just need to find what is different in those setups than mine.
  12. I feel like this should be simple but I cannot find the setting. Can I change the size of the font used to print the “Screen information” and “Name and date” when I print from MC?
  13. I'm pretty sure you will need to install Inventor View from Autodesk first to get the kernel MC needs.
  14. If you are not using inverse time then go the machine and set setting 34 to the diameter of the surface you are engraving and the machine will compensate.
  15. If you have macro capablity you can add serial number or any variable engraving to the mazak. Take a look at this article about setting up serial # engraving using macro variables and pre-defined sub programs for each number. http://www.cncci.com/resources/tips/serial%20macro.htm There is also a article on that site about setting for letters as well. One more thing, the mazak can also scale and rotate the text if you have those options.
  16. Bump - I'm late to the party on this post, did anybody get a link to the recorded video?
  17. If I understand your description see the attached picture of a Mitee-Bite product. Not sure of the size range you need but it might give you some ideas.
  18. I cannot test this right now, but you could try a M02 instead of M30 and see if the machine will shutdown with setting 2 turned on. If not, does your older machines have setting #1 (power off timer), the timer will start when the last program stops (M02) and shutdown.
  19. I'm seeing a dead link also.
  20. Could be the filenames are different. Select all your operations, right-click and select - edit selected operations - change NC filename - and change or accept the filename and try it again.
  21. cOpenhague, Which post did you start with to get this setup to work? I have the same situation here. I have a Haas horizontal with the 5 axis option so the additional 4th can be placed on the pallet and plugged in when needed. Did you start with the Generic Fanuc 5 axis post that Gcode mentioned or something else? I need to start working on one for myself and am looking for input on the best base post to start from so I don’t get half way through and wish I had started with something else.
  22. If you can stand it, slightly round the corners of your endmill. Sharp HSS with a slight corner round works well also. +1 on the coolant
  23. Speaking of MC9, I was watching American Chopper recently and it looks like Jim Quinn is still using MC9. Anybody else notice this? I figured OCC was getting a free ride from CNC software to be up to date but maybe I’m wrong. I suppose Quinn could just be a MC9 fan and does not want to make the leap to the X style interface.
  24. We typically handle our probing in sub programs. Below is a snip of one that does what your asking on our Haas Horizontal (USE AT YOUR OWN RISK). First off we bring the probe to the center of work at .400 (or 10 mm ) from surface. The P9817 variables are as follows, X is the length you wish the probe to travel overall, it will move half the distance either side of where it is positioned originally. In the example below we had a very short 1.75 oal part surface. The Z value is the expected Z surface. The B value is allowed deviation before alarm. The S is the work coordinate for the new 4th axis value ( G57 A in this case) S1=G54, S2=G55 and so on. As millman pointed out it is important to call a G57 G90 A whatever to re-establish the proper alignment afte this probe. O01000 (PROBE ANGLE) M50 P2 T1 M06 M09 G57 G90 G00 X0. Y0.5 A0. T3 G43 H01 Z15. G65 P9833 (TURNS PROBE OFF) G65 P9832 (TURNS PROBE ON) G65 P9810 X0.9 Z0.4 F100. (PROTECTED MOVE) (Probe ANGLE Surface) G00 G90 G65 P9817 X1.65 Z0. B0.3 S4 (PULL BACK) G65 P9833 (TURNS PROBE OFF) G90 G00 Z12. A0. G28 G91 Y0. Z0. M99
  25. First thing I would do is call Mazak and ask for applications (you'll probably have to leave a message) and ask one of the techs if it is possible to bump the counter in G-code. I'm thinking if you have macros enabled you may be able to increment the variable. If it is possible then I would simply add a Manual entry in MC and put the text in there. If you wanted in all your programs you could add the code to the peof$ section of your post. If your in the southeast you can call them at (678) 985-4800, remember to have your machine serial # handy

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