12 hours ago, Tinger said:

Does Mastercam allow parametric designs?

In V8 it did. MoldPlus abandoned the project though and it never made it out of Beta. 

9 hours ago, ikertx0 said:

I have asked the price of Vericut and they told me that it costs 30k. It seems excessive to me, at least for a freelancer.
I had the idea that the price would be around 10k

Depending on the options, I've seen it range from $20k to over $40k..

As far as being a freelancer, I know a number of high end contract guys that have made that investment.

Have you tried Sugino?

https://www.sugino.com/site/roller-burnishing-tool-e/

On 3/23/2024 at 7:04 AM, duytam.pham2024 said:

When I install Mastercam 2018 on Windows 10 version 22H2, and Windows 11 version 23H2. I usually meet bsod.

How can I fix it fastest?

Did you get the installer from the Mastercam website?

Perfect, I'll take a look.

YOu may just end up having to set your Z to another place on the part... that's really weird though. Any chance you can output the parameters and DM them to me? What is the control and about how old is the machine ?

Have you tried

G91

G43.4H?

G90Z...

Sometimes you have to do something weird with the work offset to get it to work.... but I'm thinking ther may be one or two other parameters... lemme check.

What is #1301.7 ?

0 = Stroke Pre-Check Off

1 = Stroke Pre-Check On 

I like to have these off when I run 5-Axis machines. From time to time I'll get a false overtravel if certain conditions are present. 

Appeasing the OCD and what the machine actually cares about are more often than not completely seperate issues.

For example I will typically have an S code, then have the M03/M04. In my NC Format, one situation will have the M03/M04, then the S code. I twitch when I see it... but I leave it there on purpose just as a reminder that it REALLY does not matter one single bit. The control executes the block just fine with zero issues. My OCD with code borders on the absurd.

I've got my NC Format set to be able to use both Auto-Link or Mastercam's Linking... just on the off chance I want it.

Being in feed mode (as opposed to rapid mode) while in 5-Axis is essential for smooth positioning. Some CAM systems struggle with this. Fortunately CAMplete can correct that issue if it presents itself. 

On 4/24/2024 at 4:38 PM, Kyle F said:

I've never had an issue with the mastercam 5 axis link. Generally I'll prove the program out with forced tool changes between each multiaxis path and then once I have them all dialed in I'll go back in and add the multiaxis link. Then go re-prove it out again lol

I typically do not use those 5-Axis linking strategies, or if I do, I use them sparingly. Transition from operation to operation can be tricky. You can get wild unpredictable motion. Much of the motion is dictated by machine parameters (wind/unwind/rotary axis rollover, etc...)

In a multi-pallet production environment where unattended operation is the main goal, safe and predictable is your friend.

The OP @Tommy Thompson last visited this topic on Tuesday...

The only real drawback to utilizing the multi-face approach is that you'll have more tool changes. So 4 tool changes over 4 parts as opposed to amortizing 1 tool change for 4 (or however many) parts. 

My personal primary preference is flexibility. There is more to "cycle time" considerations than from program start to program finish.

Like if the machine is running 24-7, NEVER idle, then yeah, you want that cycle time to be as short as possible. If your fully loaded machine runs for 2 shifts then sits idle for one shift, then really you gain nothing by shaving every millisecond off the cycle time because that time savings was killed by the idle 3rd shift. 

"There's no perfect solutions, only compromises." Thomas Sowell

What the pre-position does for you is create a safe and known transition from path to path. 

If you want sexy, YouTube worthy machine porn, there's a path in Mastercam (5-Axis Linking) or CAMplete's Auto-Link function (it requires an NC Format that supportsthe function. It has to be turned on also... by default it's off.

If you want to know how to turn it on, let me know. 

Even though we use CAMplete, maximizing the use of the available options on the machine took a little work. 

Currently I'm working on utilizing the tolerance control feature (G10.8). That's gonna take a bit.

If there's anything you need for the Matsuura just ask. 

Glad to help wherever I can.

It's a lot to take in, but getting a dialed in post helps. 

I was having a discussion with someone last week and they contended that knowledge of "g-code" isn't useful anymore because of CAD/CAM. 

I only partially agree with that statement. Does someone need to know how to write a program from scratch? Meh... not really. What someone that works with or writes programs MUST know is Program formatting. When to turn things on and when to turn them off. When to use this function, and when to use that function. While a dialed post can solve some of those issues, when a company gets a new machine or the machine has options that are unfamiliar, being able to troubleshoot code formatting is a critical skill. 

At then end of the conversation I thingbwe agreed on most points. 

So on the MX (or any multi-pallet Matsuura) in the pallet manager you can assign up to 4 programs to the pallet. It can be 4 or the same programs or 4 different programs. Doesn't matter. 

When talking pallet manager with customers I always go over a number of scenarios. Aluminum and easy to machine/non tool-eating materials tool path transform with multiple parts in the same program is typically fine. More difficult materials or materials that generally wear tools out or break tools, I reccommend separate programs that way when using tool life management you don't have to kill the whole pallet to flag the tool, you can just flag the face. Then the face is flagged and will continue to the next face and pick up the backup tool. 

G68.2 in a nutshell allows the part's coordinate system to follow the part around regardless of the tilt or rotational axes orientation. So X0, Y0, Z0 is X0, Y0, Z0 always no matter what. 

That's the basic explanation.  There's a little more to it under the hood but that's basically what's going on. There's no need to even consider center of rotation, and it's better if you don't program to it. 

Writing the errors is just a matter of how you want to do it; by G10 or by variable number/variable name. 

By variable Number;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5f25nw9rg0nfrbu/WSEC Variable Table - FANUC 30i.pdf?dl=0

By G10

G90G10L23P = P1 – 7=P7 (x, y, z, a, b, c, and possibly a Tilt and a Rotary Axis)

On 4/19/2024 at 10:47 PM, Tommy Thompson said:

We have a number of fanuc controlled vmcs from various machine tool mfgers. Most are oi-mf. The machines are generally great and the controls usually perform well but our shop is struggling to load the new high speed machining tool paths or multiple programs for part arrays onto the fanuc machines.

1)Without engineering know how, adding memory or ftping or getting a control to recognize a cf card in an adapter to a pcmia port (must be the last place on earth for such a thing) is all extremely time consuming and frustrating.

2) The tiny memory on the average fanuc control is hard to understand. I’d like to know why they do not just put a tb of memory on these machines

3) or make them connect easily to a computer.

4)It seems like it takes patient dedication or an cs degree to make them work.

5)Endless nuance about partitioning cf cards, etc.,embedding ethernets.

6)It might be fine for a large firm or some of the wizards out there, but for the average job shop, it’s a failure.

7)If you are an engineer who speaks fanuc and wants to earn some money please let me know.

8)If you want to say it’s a piece of cake, save it bro. 

Lots to unpack there so without further adieu...

1) FANUC Program Transfer Tool (available https://www.fanucamerica.com/products/cnc/cnc-software/programming-simulation-software/program-transfer-tool for under $30 USD) . I use it and reccommend it HIGHLY. CF Cards MUST be 1GB or under for 30i/31i/0i-F series controls. I keep a 128MB (yes you read that right) card for older era machines. I get mine from Amazon. I like these for 1GB's https://www.amazon.com/1GB-Compact-Flash-100X-INDUSTRIAL-Pio/dp/B000ZNWOSS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=I99RBMCIPDWH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vy01M8EQ4MyyBDSDjeq_NuppS6M0tWgWrlcoasmKUzHjiYMoBe4U0bq62scns-U3Z0sxEMsM4q6X_kTLHXLVeZIRbO48o0Ipi--Hbq_FKm_aXz3hHfnB-91bIoKmwAUB53WTZHmRWTDJUWArvdnEuFhSkXyZiuemWcvM7BHOfMdrt8mszRDnM4pnfYkaWH1zERpJt7BhJnTVxO8zVuM1eqnIyDCY6XJQqDZxH8O15pWTx-OlI9AUfeXcdAxgw5UvrmuowILrWHeEtGMuZOhPyXp7I7NocgDEelaG2jZaAnk.d2rRem4np6HQzDANiXqa6evpgkauOin78IjLz0UNivw&dib_tag=se&keywords=1GB+CF+Cards&qid=1713845397&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A673261011&rnid=673240011&s=pc&sprefix=1gb+cf+cards%2Caps%2C126&sr=1-2

It's only frustrating if the company you bought your machine from is not knowledgable. Support matters. Especially today.

2) This is NOT a FANUC issue. This is 100% on the machine tool builder. We spec our machines with 8MB of CNC Memory and 1GB of Data Server Memory. The latest machines have SSD Drives with TB's of storage and they are FANUC so... the problem isn;t with FANUC it's with your builder improperly specing a machine. Assign blame wher it belongs.

3) See #1

4) I barely graduated high school... and by barely, I mean if it weren't for woodshop and PE I woudln;t even have had a 2.0 GPA... and I have no trouble connecting machines to networks if they are equipped with either an Embedded Ethernet port or a Data Server. Been doing it since the 90's. You need better machine tool support.

5)I've not been successful partitioning CF Cards lately. Like for the last 10 years lately. Just get a 1GB CF card or smaller with a PCMCIA adapter and it'll work. Embedded Ethernet is a simple setup. EIther use DHCP or set a static IP address, set the router and DNS IP Addresses, plug it in and it works. Just to prove a point to a customer, I went out to Home Depot, bought a Wireless Extender with an ethernet port, set it up, set the control for DHCP, set the router and DNS, restarted the adapter and I was able to ping the CNC form anywher ein the shop. Once I was connected to their network, I coudl upload and download programs at will.

6) You just need better machine tool support

7) I give away my knowledge for free. It's worth plenty, but so many gave to me freely, I'll give freely until I get burned.

8 ) I will say it's easy, because it is. I'm NOTHING special. Believe me. I'm just an average at best guy. Your machine tool dealer has a high degree of incompetence, or they are withholding support from you. Either way, I'm sorry you are going through this trouble. You should not have to suffer because of your machine tool dealer is incompetent or your machine tool builder didn't adequately option their machine.

I hope this helps.

On 4/20/2024 at 4:06 PM, Kyle F said:

...IIRC our matsuuras have 1gig of internal memory on the data server but I've only loaded a handful of small programs so I haven't even had to go that route yet.

Put ALL your pat programs on the DATA_SV. Just use CNC Memory for custom G/M-Codes, Custom MACROs, etc...

8 hours ago, Kyle F said:

At my shop we recently dove head first into automation, got a mx-330 pc10 and mam72-52v. I've been running the MX for a few weeks now lights out and I have to say it's been a breeze.

.....

it's surprising how little you have to raise your workpiece off of the table for access.

...

This is one of the many areas I believe Matsuura is FAR superior to the toilet bowl lovers in machine design.

Matsuura can get closer to the pallet center with the head/spindle. Doing this allows you to run shorter tool assemblies and it requires shorter work holding to get ot he part. All that to say a more rigid machining setup = the best metal removal scenario possible.

8 hours ago, jas6142 said:

The matsuura dealer will be in here Monday .   I see they now offer the mam in a 45v which is about the ideal size, last i knew they only offered the 35v.  ive always been partial to the mam's for the automation.

In the MAM series they offer the MAM72-35V, MAM72-42V, MAM72-52V, MAM72-70V, and MAM72-100H. Then in the CUBLEX series there is a CUBLEX-35 and a CUBLEX-63. There was a CUBLEX-42 but I believe they discontinued it.

350mm, 420mm, 520mm, 700mm, and 1000mm respectively.

The number after the dash is the CM value of MAX pallet Changing swing diameter essentially.

Also, if you've got the inspection stuff squared away, it's easy peasy to generate reports, csv data, etc...

If you can imagine it, you can format it, and generate reports. 

Adding non manufacturing time adds TAKT time. Added TAKT time = higher cost. 

That said, WIP = Inventory. Inventory = Money. Money = Taxation

Parts in inspection = WIP therefore there's a cost no matter where the part is within the factory. If you can integrate and automate processes you can bring down the labor component of part cost. 

"There are no perfect solutions, only compromises." Thomas Sowell

8 minutes ago, jas6142 said:

Support is the biggest concern with dmg without a doubt.

I hear that A LOT.

They like Yamazen use their AE departments as a training ground for the sales department... and it shows. Few of their AE's here in the US are dedicated to that craft for any REAL span of time. That's just the reality. I do know of an AE at Mori that's been with them since the 90's and I'd expect his to be a good 5-Axis guy since he came form Makino but he doesn't go out in the field... so what good is all that experience if you as a customer don't have access to it.

On 4/15/2024 at 11:30 AM, CEMENTHEAD said:

I would not recommend inspecting a part using the same machine that made said part. Been there, done that. 

It can be done effectively... it just has to be approached in the right manner.

The #1 issue with inspecting a part on the machine that produced it isn't that the machine is checking itself, it is that the connection between the coordinate system that manufactured the part and the coordinate system that is inspecting the part isn't broken. You MUST break that connection in order to get an accurate measurement.

On a 5-Axis machine with a FANUC control, that means having G68.2, G54.4, machine parameters set correctly, AND the probing software that supports probing with those functions active. Don;t have ALL those things squared away and there WILL be trouble in paradise.