What kind of control is on the machine?

What Axis is it on? A, B or C?

Out of curiosity, what editor is everyone using out there? Everywhere I've worked, we've used Easytalk, but with the advent of Windows 9x/NT/2K/XP etc and the use of long filenames, its become somewhat outdated? So what has everyone started using out there, and what success have they had with it? I'm curious

Dave, Did you do anything to the Okuma 4 axis post that you had on the site? I notice its been removed. If its been updated, I wouldn't mind obtaining an updated copy

OSP700 Control I like OSP's..I've used OSP2200L, OSP3000L, OSP5000, OSP5020, OSP500, OSP700 and OSP7000. We have an OSP7000L control on our LB25II lathe, and a U100M control on our MX55VB. You gotta love those LAP cycles, and User Task...I wouldn't be without them

Just to add...In experimenting, it appears to be a graphics problem. The posted code is correct. The tool itself appears to be displayed incorrectly. And to correct it, all I had to do was open the tool in the operation manager. I didn't even need to select the radius. Anyone else struck this?

I come across this error. In lathe V9SP1, I selected the Sandvik tool library. I completed a finish toolpath using a standard turning tool. Compensation was set in computer, and was to the correct side. When the toolpath generated, it compensated to the centre of the tool radius, even though tool was configured with the correct radius, and compensation was on. All I did was open the tool up in the Operations Manager, and reselect the tool radius from the drop down list. I then regenerated, and it was fine. Has anyone else come across this? Also, would it be a handy feature to double click on a MC9 (which was completed in Lathe) and have it open up in lathe rather than mill? Is there some way a chook or application could be written to do this? (Maybe a request for V10

A long time ago, I found that whenever I received and machined a customers part file, I would get the faceting effect, even with a .002mm machining tolerance. I found out that the customer was using the default modelling tolerance in ProE. When he tightened it right up, and then sent us files, the finish came out really smooth. If the faceting is in the model, you wont get rid of it, unless the model tolerance is tightened up :/

Sandvik make Hard Cut drills that will drill out a broken tap. I've seen them used before, and they work great. Call your Sandvik Coromant rep.. I'm sure he'll be glad to help...

Ok, Wear combines both "Computer" and "Control" compensation. If you set your D setting to 0 on the control the cutter should, in theory, cut to the correct size. If you use Cutter Compensation in "Control" it will give you the output you require. I personally use compensation in Computer for low tolerance contours etc, and use Control compensation for high tolerance finish passes. You can give me call if need be

Grant, You're saying that the positioning is 10mm out from what the tool should be, in relation to the contour. As in, its 10mm away, plus the radius of the cutter? (Assuming you're in Mill of course..) Can you explain a bit more?

I'm putting up an inquiry for a customer of mine. They've been considering a 5 axis machine, more precisely one from the Deckel Maho range. Since they're switching to Mastercam, they want to know how well Mastercam interfaces with these machines. Do the post processors avaliable for these machines work well? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

I really have to get one of those propellor hats...they rock

Also, what other CAM system has the post flexibility that Mastercam has? I've used several other systems, and their posts suck compared to Mastercam. I bet your hot shot purchasing guy didn't factor the cost of post processors into the equation, and all the time spent tweaking them to provide the quality output you will be getting at the moment.

I have to support the Easytalk software. I've used it on about 10 different machines, and its worked flawlessly each time. Easy to use, and has the combination of editor and DNC. And I've had it running in Win9x, Win2k and WinXP.

Grant, From how far under the equator are you coming? As in New Zealand? I'm figuring that you've just come back from a trip to the US

I seem to have sorted it. I found a calculation further back in the post, which had thdx1dia = dia * thdx1 I changed this to thdx1dia = (dia * thdx1) + thdxclr And it works fine Regards, Mick

Roger, Thanks for the prompt reply. I checked the output output of thdxclr, by inserting a line prior to the threading line with n, *thdxclr, "(THDXCLR CHECK)", e However when posted, the line looked like this: N23 thdxclr 2000(THDXCLR VALUE) which indicates that the post is getting the correct value, which is 2mm. Its weird though, because should it be actually outputting the text thdxclr as well? Mick

Just to add...the reason I want to use this old post, is that the lap cycle formats etc work perfectly, and I dont want to have to reformat a more current post.

I've got a V8 post that works well for an old Okuma OSP2200 control. The only problem I need to fix, is when threading, and I select a thread from the table (example, an M24 thread), the post outputs the start position of the thread, (ie X24) and doesn't add the X clearnance. I want to be able to add the clearance value to the major diameter, but can't find the value. I thought it was thdxclr, and so put in the equation: (thdx1dia is the major diameter of the thread) thdx1dia = thdx1dia + thdxclr but this just returns the major thread diameter. Does anyone have any idea? Thanks, Mick

I just downloaded and installed the updates below. Prior to applying them, I had a surface roughing toolpath which was using Filtering, so decided to apply the patch and regenerate, to be sure there were no problems. Surprisingly, the gouge free toolpath now had gouges :/ I guess the old rule "if it aint broke, dont fix it" applies here :/ Anyone else had this problem? Mick Appmch9-080202.exe - (08/02/02) - This self-extracting zip file contains the latest improvements available for Surface Machining as of August 2, 2002. This app will only work with V9.0 SP1. This app patch includes fixes in (Surface, Rough, Pocket, Surface), (Surface, Rough, Plunge), (Surface, Finish, Project), and (Surface, Finish, Scallop). The Appmch9.doc file provides more information. Download and execute this file. It will extract several files into your Mcam9Apps and Mcam9Chooks directories. Use the Tpcfg.dll C-Hook to control surface machining functionality. Also: Bfilter-072902.exe - (07/29/02) - This app will only work with Version 9.0SP1. This Filter app addresses the binary filter only (the one used in each operation). It does not address the ASCII filter (Toolpath/NC Utils/Filter). There were several problems reported where a gouge would occur in a Surface, Rough, Pocket or Restmill routine when using the filter. Turning the filter off would eliminate the gouge. All Version 9 SP1 Mastercam Mill, Lathe, and Wire (SP1 or SP2) users whom create toolpaths and use the filter option on the parameters page should upgrade to this App. Download and execute this file. It will extract several files into your Mcam9Apps directory.

hehe...thanks...I figured that

Someone told me today that V9.1 had been released. I think they might be confused with V9 SP1. Does anyone know? Mick

Yes, and it supports LAP cycles, and much more. Actually works pretty well

What kind of lathe? We have a LB25 with a OSP7000L at work. I can check and see if the boss will let the post go