Ack..I just realised you're using V8.1... This option is only in V9 :/

I know exactly what you want to do. You want to mill a tapered bore, but in a constant helix, so the tool moves in X Y and Z constantly. The way to do it is: Create a ruled surface, with the top contour the major bore diameter, and the lower contour the minor bore diamter. Then use a Flowline toolpath and choose a spiral pattern. I used this the other day to machine 6 tapered bores in a stripper plate for an injection mould. The toolmaker couldn't believe the finish (there were no marks where the cutter had "stepped" down) If you want, I'll put the file up on the FTP (I'll have to find it forst

I set up the option in our Okuma post processor to switch line numbers on and off when posting, by setting a misc. real. Works a treat. You just have to remember to set it for each toolpath

I've had errors like that before, and I 've sometimes been able to eliminate them by switching off the "Roll Cutter Around All/Sharp Corners" Give that a try and see if it helps

Can anyone help me with these files? I'd really appreciate it

Actually, if you could put them on the FTP, that would be great. If thats too much of a hassle, a CD would be great. I'd return a CD together with postage costs. The machine will probably be a Y axis, but I'd be keen to check out any examples. The more the better! Thanks for the replies

I'm after any Mill Turn toolpath examples I can get my hands on. I'm wanting to learn this facet of Mastercam, because we're looking at getting a turning centre at work, and I want to be a few jumps ahead for when the machine is ordered, and when it arrives. If anyone has some examples, and has a bit of spare time (I know the feeling...time is a valuable commodity) could you please send some sample files with toolpaths to my email address above please? I'd really appreciate it We're currently running V8.1.1, but we'll be upgrading to V9 very soon

The 390's ARE undersize. We have two 32mm cutters here, and one measures 31.67mm and the other one is 31.84mm. Its a reall hassle to have to turn the shanks down, but according to Sandvik Coromant, they are tightening the tolerance on the 390's.

"The emergency stop button is never big enough when you need it"

James, Could you put some samples of that up on the FTP? A local shop here who has a couple of twin axis Okuma lathes has just bought Mastercam, and they'd be very interested to see an example of how you program the upper and lower turrets as you explained.. Thanks in advance.. Mike

Indeed...Coromill 200's rock...great all round cutters. I've lost count of the number of times I've used them to rough bore by helically ramping them. Mind you, I used to be a Sandvik Coromant rep, so I'm bound to be biased

heh...I've been down that road several times. Solidview will do it, though if the STL file is huge, and/or very complex, it will choke your system, creating a huge IGES file. Basically, it creates a nurbs surface at every triangulation. Apparently Raindrop Geomagic can do it also, though I think it is in the same fashion as Solidview.

Is there any way to simulate the rotary axis in Verify? ie, having the tool remain vertical, whilst the cylinder defining the material rotates (as in an A axis on a vertical machining centre) I'm pretty sure there isn't, but I need to check :/

Ok...hehe....my fault....true, it didn't work in V8 and V9....and I was booted in Win2k...Which had my original V8 and 9 installs. I rebooted in WinXP, which has V9SP1, and voila...it works...although the STL file is misorientated, with the X axis rotated 90 degrees..though it was modelled correctly.... But its late....so I'll look at it tomorrow.. But thanks for your help guys

wow..that is something I didn't know. Why did they remove it? (even though I never really had success with it in earlier versions)

I'm using an STL file as the initial stock. I've got a model of the casting as an STL file.

In lathe V8.1.1 and V9 SP1, I've tried to load stock into Verify as an STL file, but the File button is greyed out. The only material choice I have is cylinder. I cant for the life of me work out what I'm missing, though I have the feeling it is something obvious. Can anyone help? Thanks

One way would be to get a tool presetter (like a height gauge) They are expensive, but tool length offsets can be set away from the machine, while the machine is cutting. I used to use one of these at one of my last employers, and they were certainly productive. Basically, while the machine is running, you set all the length offsets, write them down, and when ready, load the tools, and load the offsets into the control. Works great. If I was buying a machine, I'd buy a presetter at the same time.

Check his profile. Lists his interest as Mastercam. Seems that didn't last long. Looks like the idiot has an attention span of a gnat. Well, the forum is better off without gits like that

Roger, What was the web site? I somehow dont think it would be legal to actually duplicate the HASP, though I'm certainly not sure about it. I'm curious to see how they "market" their service

Hehe...I know what you mean. I used to be a UG user, and a couple of times I was caught out on a weekend. I couldn't get support, and had to wait until the Monday. Responses on here are really quick, and they're normally always helpful. And you're normally lucky enough to get more than one reply. And Mastercam as a product is getting better and better

This is a great forum. Kudos to all those that help run it, all those that help out users on it, and all those that use it. Its certainly the best resource I've had for Mastercam. I find I check here as much as I check my email. And the amount of users seem to be growing. Cheers

Actually, one difference I've noticed between UG and MC, is that UG appears to be considerably quicker when generating 3 axis toolpaths. Anyone noticed this as well?

The thread OD value in my post is thdx1dia. However, in the threading postblock, if I add thdxclr to it, ie: thdxstart = thdx1dia + thdxclr n, psg00, *thdxstart, thdzclr, e the value output for thdxstart is the OD of the thread. It appears that it isn't getting the thdxclr value from the parameter page. Please excuse my lack of knowledge on posts, as I'm self taught :/ I appreciate your help

I have an Okuma Post for a 7000 series control lathe, that I've been using since V6. I've modified it to run in all versions from 6 through to V8.1.1. It works really well, and provides the program in exactly the format I want. However, in V9, it doesn't output the correct start position for a G71 threading cycle, as it doesn't read the stock clearance from the "Thread Cut Parameters" tab on the the parameters page. It only outputs the Thread OD instead. I need to get the stock clearance variable from the parameter page, and add it to the thread od value to give me the correct start position. I've tried to find it, but I've had no luck. Can anyone tell me what value I should be using? I thought it was thdxclr, but that doesn't work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.