The rumors are true. Solids will be dropped, along with the Mill portion of Mastercam. The new focus for version X will be the support of CNC stitching and embroidery for the textile industry. No need for WCS there! What is wrong with the section views that you can currently create with Mastercam solids?

When you comp to the edge of the tool, you do not need to use G41 or G42 (unless you want to). I would advise against using G41 or G42 on a lathe unless absolutely necessary. The software compensates for the difference in TNR on various tools. The point that is programmed is the theoretical intersection point of the 2 axes that you touch off when you measure the tool. The radius of the tool is taken care of by Mastercam, provided you defined the tool accurately. If you use G41 or G42, you have to input the corner rad into the offset screen, as well as the direction of compensation. This is too much hassle in most cases, and you are more likely to get comp errors at the control. Fill in your X and Z geometry offsets and away you go.

Nesting can be added to mill and it works very well

Try doing the same thing with a flat endmill. I think you will get an accurate result. Do you have to use a bullnose for the job, or is it only for the final rad at the bottom?

I am very happy with the reduction in calc times as well. Make sure to crank up your RAM allocations for the Maintenance release.

Thanks Jimmy Please email it to me if you find it

Hello folks Has anyone here done any indexing 5 axis parts for stamping dies (not sync 5 axis). I have a potential customer that does this type of work but won't show me any cad files because of confidentiality. I can't figure out what type of a die would require indexing 5 axis toolpaths ( programmable head that locks into place prior to machining.) There is very little drilling involved, mostly pockets and contours. If you have done or seen this type of application, would you be able to share a file or two? Thanks in advance

Chances are that the machine will not feed any more accurately than 2 decimal places, no matter what feedrate you put. Two decimal places is more than accurate enough for tapping.

DNC refers to communicating to a CNC machine, generally through the RS 232. You can either load into memory or drip feed. Either way, you are using DNC to get the file to the machine. This is accomplished by specific software and hardware which takes cnc specific settings (baud rate etc.) into consideration. A floppy drive would not be considered DNC.

Excellent! how much extra for a Mastercam box? Are you and piglet "just friends"?

All you have to do is change the thread direction (Z position) to cut toward the positive direction. Nothing else needs to be done Spindle direction and tooling are unchanged Phil is absolutely right about acceleration problems if your start position is up against a shoulder, in which case the left hand holder and spindle reversal may be a better way to go

I wouldn't trust anything a Mastercam salesman says. What do they know?

Hey Noel You might not remember me, but I worked with you years ago at your current job at BMT. If I were you, I would stay put. High turnover is a bad sign, and you do not want to be job hunting again in 6 months if this doesn't pan out. The days of getting tons of CNC or CAM job offers are pretty much over, especially in the mold industry. As a shop manager, you will triple your stress level, and are no more immune to being fired than if you were running a machine. good luck with any decision you make.

I suffered through 2 Acramatic 2100 controls this past couple of weeks. Fanuc is a far better choice.

David, if you are having issues with your reseller, please try to resolve them privately.

Excellent link, Phil John, I was turning an OD thread 1 3/4-5 UNC. I turned the OD to the correct major diameter, and used the correct threading insert for that lead. The thread gage didn't feel right, so I cut a little deeper. I measured over wires and was within tolerance, but the thread gage was still too tight. By the time the gage fit, my thread was cut too deep and the part was scrap. I didn't realize that I need to compensate for the inclination of the thread by shimming the insert.

Thad, Threading tools are flat and on center from the factory. That means that you can use the same threading bar for a variety of thread sizes by changing the insert. The thread lead is achieved by the rpm and feedrate synchronization. The thread shape is achieved by the form of the insert (i.e. acme, 60 deg, buttress, etc.) All threads also have an inclination angle http://www.iscar.com/ProductLines/Turning/...asp?CountryId=1 The inclination angle varies with each thread size. The seat of the insert needs to be changed from a flat pad to one with an angle to achieve this tilt. Most people keep changing their offsets and cut their threads oversize when the gage doesn't fit, instead if tilting the insert to the correct angle.

Many people don't realize that you need to shim your threading inserts by a specific angle to achieve proper thread form. I learned this the hard way by making a nice big stainless paperweight. Your threading insert needs to be the correct form for the thread you are cutting, but it also needs to tilt for proper thread form. The bigger your thread, the worse the error. Good tooling catalogs will contain info on how much of a tilt you need, and specific shims are available from all cutting tool suppliers. http://www.carbidedepot.com/resources.asp

If they are too lazy to do the math, then tap in ipr instead of ipm. This way, no matter what the rpm is, the feed will equal the pich (i.e. 1/4-20 will have a feed of .05", no matter what the rpm.) But don't take my word for it, I am just a dumb sales monkey

It should be pretty much the same as any other OT control. All OT controls have workshift, so no G50 is required. Canned cycles are 2 line format, all standard stuff.

Have you considered making an electrode instead and burning the thread profile? When I worked on blowmolds, we generally burned the threads in.

Did you try cutting method- one way?

Welcome Paul. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Maybe...just maybe..if someone asks for a post and you don't want to give them one, then don't respont to the thread. I know it is a revolutionary concept, but it might work.

Hi Hector. Chances are the only change you will need to your post will be to output G92 for each tool, and separate the T word from M6. Your reseller can help. Thanks everyone for not jumping all over him.