Betts, call your dealer and ask for a demo. I am sure they would be happy to show you what you want to see.

Jay, I sent it to you 2 weeks ago, complete with an authentic Mastercam box and mouse pad

I don't understand the silly secrecy regarding a product that has been openly displayed at IMTS and WESTEC..... The answer to your question is that the CAD portion is better in several ways than V9, but certainly it is not as advanced as Solidworks. It is not parametric. an honest answer from a sales rep. Go figure...

Hey Chris Sorry to hear about the boo-boo. Could you email me the file? Did the boss rip your head off? I don't see why verify wouldn't catch it, but I will have a better idea after I see the file.

I agree with all of the above, with the exception of using scallop. Scallop toolpath on this part might look quite bad, since the tool will be cutting up as well as down the walls. The part is not that hard, once you understand which toolpaths to use and why.

Bug number CNC 00009336

your stepdown needs to be doubled or tripled. The whole idea is to take a much deeper Z cut, but reduce axial load by "nibbling" at the material radially. Also, use trochoidal cuts in full material only. I have taken an .800" deep cut in 4140 steel using a .25v dia endmill using trochoidal cutting.

Crazy, if you can model up that part in Solids, then you really are more of a man than I am. (But I am still better looking)

It would have to be Mastercam Art. The Engraving add-on will only work for parts that are flat (flat panel type carving).

Open pocket with the open pocket method checkbox often leaves islands. You shouldn't have to waste cycle time by reducing your stepover to compensate. When you uncheck the box, the islands are gone. That is a bug. Open pocket method means plunging OUTSIDE the open area.

Open pocket method SHOULD allow you to plunge outside the open side, and feed into the material. Otherwise, you might as well close the open edge and pocket the whole thing. You might not want to ramp or helix into a part due to cutter limitations or part geometry issues. I have also submitted a request to properly support multiple open sides.

Midwest: with open pocket you don't have the option to use different pocketing styles. I sent the exact same problem in as a bug this morning.

Mastercam does have V5 Catia translator. Have you tried http://www.moldplus.com/special%20offer.htm

It is pretty hard to make a comparison based on default settings. If someone were to install Mastercam with the default settings on a new PC, they would not get the best results without tweaking RAM allocations, filter settings, cut tolerances, gouge checking, gap settings, etc. Even experienced users sometimes need help with all the settings to get the best results. I presume the same thing applies to Surfcam. Comparing sofware packages is a lot more complicated than drag racing 2 brand new cars.

There is a good possibility that the computer with MC set up on it was not set up correctly, wrong RAM allocations, etc. I have taught at about 5 different schools and have yet to see one set up correctly for Mastercam. (IT people want to do it themselves instead of asking for help). James, there is no reason that a mesh over the surface needs to be less accurate. Many CAM systems do this with no problems. The other possibility that all the replies have ignored is that maybe Surfcam IS faster on certain toolpaths or types of part geometry.....who knows..

I am not sure if the Z height of the boundary has any bearing on the finished results. I usually use squashed 2D boundaries well above the workpiece. I do have the boundaries at the same Z depth every time.

You can get CADCAMe to translate files for you on a per use basis. Your dealer may or may not also offer such a service.

You can also try offsetting your external boundary to create a tiny version of it in the center of the large boundary. Make sure it is very small. Then, use the two boundaries to create the project blend toolpath. You will notice less "wrinkles" than using a point, and the direction of the toolpath will match your finished part more closely. Essentially, the external bundary will collapse into itself. The tiny boundary in the middle will not be machined, but can be cleaned up easily.

I would love to know myself....

Christian, thanks for the clarification. I am certainly no expert on Cimco HSM, so I appreciate your input. Let me know if I can be of assistance with the terminology used. ak762, you probably won't get a straight answer on your question from anyone due to the fact that there are 2 different companies involved in trying to solicit your money. You can get a trial version of both the Mastercam maintenance release (make sure to install it on a separate computer), and you can also get a trial version of CIMCO HSM. As far as I can see, they are independent of each other (different math). The tutorial files and documentation that comes with HSM will allow you to get a good understanding of the product. They are very clear, well illustrated and logical.

If I were you, I would contact sales at CNC Software directly and explain your concerns. This is not a reseller issue, trust me.. 860-875-5006 good luck

Jimmy, I really like CIMCO HSM. The following issues need to be resolved in it, but otherwise it is excellent. (p.s.) I have not played with it in a couple of months, so these issues may have been fixed already 1.) there are no check surfaces that you can select 2.) no option for "plunge outside containment boundary" 3.) processing speed on scallop toolpath is slow 4.) Overly complicated "top of stock" definition. It is not easy to figure out how to enter the top of the material without taking a lot of air cuts first. 5.) some of the terms used are confusing in English (i.e. "overthickness"...perhaps a bit of time needs to be spent in using more recognizable words for the North American market) With that said, CIMCO HSM provides some effective and efficient toolpaths (and nice brochures too!) I hope that it will continue into X and will use more graphics next to the parameters to help new users figure out the many available settings. Peter

Thanks for all the advice guys, keep 'em coming. Jack, the customer is in Richmond Hill, but I don't think he needs someone on a full time basis, more like 10-20 hrs a week. Shoot me an email if interested in "something on the side". I am always interested in "something on the side", but the wife would probably cut off my Millimeter Peter ......

I have a customer that just bought a brand new Mazak VMC with the high speed controller, but he is getting lousy results with 3D cutting. The machine seems to gouge parts when cutting at over 100 ipm. Mazak has done the ball test and can't figure out what is wrong. Does anyone here have experience doing complex 3D work on a newer mazak mill? I usually see these machines more in job shop 2D environments. thanks

All you need to do is measure all your tools from a datum like the machine table. The difference in Z height between workpieces can be compensated by a positive or negative Z value in your work offset Z field (E1, E2, G54, G55 etc) You have the right idea. It makes no sense to re-measure the tools between different jobs, or even to mass modify the tool length offsets.