+1 to Tryon... but... quote: Only thing wrong with that is that you need a x and y position on every line, even if they repeat. This is true with it also. For ex: You have a repeated pattern of 5 holes in 'X' and 10 holes in 'Y' and you're drilling in rows by 'X' before you shift in 'Y'. If your code only puts out relative positions, then your lines might be like this: G81X0.Y0. X1. X2. X3. X4. X0.Y-1. X1. X2. X3. X4. X0.Y-2. X1. X2. X3. X4. etc, etc. If you break/change on the third hole of line 2 and you restart from that hole in the code line, the machine never "sees" the 'Y-1.', therefore it will start at the third hole of the first line which is already drilled then suddenly jump 2 lines (after 'X4.') to 'X0.Y-2.' (in which you now have missing holes on the 'Y-1.' line at 'X3.' and 'X4.'. Some machines will still let you get around this if you remain in single block until you get over to your actual hole position. So in single block you read to the cycle, switch to edit, skip to the first hole position of the second line (X0.Y-1.), single block to position, switch to edit, skip to the next 'X2.' of that line, back into run mode, single block to position (to double check if you want), shut off single block and continue running. WHEW!!

Do a search for tapping, taps, threads, etc... This has been covered real extensively. For a brief answer to feed and speed, if you're talking about speeds related to material, then it depends on the material. If you're asking about how feed is calculated relative to speed, then you've got a few things to check into. First, is there a machine parameter setting the tapping feed based on IPR or IPM? Or are you programming a machine in metric? For effective tapping without breaking, search the forum threads... there's a lot of opinions and good advice. A little more specifics and details may get you in the right direction too.

I think he said he's putting an OD thread on a solid bar. Wouldn't you start from top to down on the outside? There is 'threadmilling' under 'circle mill' to define the tool. I've also used ramp contour cuz I get lazy or forget about 'thread mill'.

2 ways I've done this. 1) program a macro to give a conditional at a variable to stop, retract, "M0" or stop, retract, tool change and continue. 2) Just break up the hole into the number of holes you want to drill and just run programmed tool changes. Tool changing is cheaper than a broken drill in the part.

Count me in... I'm with you

quote: They say run-out is less then .0012" ..... I'd say if the runout was at .0012, I'd take them from the shipping dock and straight into the dumpster!

quote: climb and cut deep, remove material ex. 1" cutter atleast 1"deep or more. do not take shallow cuts and wear out the tip of the tool. also use a stepover that is atleast 75% of the cutter dia. cut that stuff The question asked was fairly general... climb or conventional cut. I think making suggestions like this is going off the deep end. A 1" cutter, 1" doc, 75% step is pretty hefty unless you've got some horsepower. And if you don't have HP or rigity, you end up having to slow way down to make the cut (some just won't do it). You're not making any money there. We don't know what kind of material, machine, HP, rpm,... anything. IMO this is jumping the gun. He might be trying this on 10 horse Robodrill for all we know.

I'm thinking a series 103 is not the best choice. I use it in aluminum a lot but thats about it. Try a series 135. Good finish, good hole size, good wear. Sounds more like you're sticking, causing heat

quote: I have tried this before (steel) and that made my thread very sloppy I do not know if it was our machine . Thought on mentioning it Has any body done it successfully ? I've seen this before and turned out the spindle wasn't synchronizing properly for pecking. Single was fine though. Just a beat up machine.

How about a mill chuck? or Corogrip from Sandvik?

I got a couple last nite referring to all of the current updates. It also said that they were having problems with their email system and you might recieve duplicates or otherwise. I'm thinking thats what you got.

Why not just create, copy or define a 1/2 em in the metric library and just shut off the "metric values" box? It works from metric into an inch library, why not the other way?

Yes, then on the tool description, input all of the numbers as metric values (diameters, lengths, pitch, etc.)

Ditto... +1 Jim

We use some those here. No center drill. Also use some series 135 for steels, works great!

Convert to inch and program it. (SF*3.82) / (4mm/25.4) = RPM .7/25.4 = .02756 for feed per rev or .02756 x RPM for Feed

quote: If i use a 7/32 drill the tap works fine. Max minor diameter for a 1/4-20 is .215 (at a class 3) and you're using a 7/32 drill? .875 deep should be no sweat for a 1/4-20. If its blind I'd roll it anyway.

quote: why can't the U.S follow the rest of the world and use the S.I units?then there won't be any confusion anymore Logistics, stubborness, hard headed,.... and its down right unamerican!

Used to work at a shop that did a lot of medical work. Everything (print and model wise) was metric. On models I'd convert to inches and for prints I'd draw in metric, save it to its own level for reference, then convert to inches and program it. Boss asked once how everybody is handling the "metric issue". I said, "what issue?". We program, make chips, inspect, clean, pack and ship. Whats the problem? He shrugged his shoulders said "not a thing" and went about his buisness. On the floor, we'd use converted prints. In inspection we'd have the CMM inspect in metric as well as print out the dimesions for FAI to submit. I have the confidence in what I do that I just 'do'. Thats what I'm paid for. I don't ask the boss if I should program in metric or not. By the way, I have programmed and run machines in metric. Numbers are just numbers to me. I can see some struggling if you're trying to make an adjustment and your checking with an inch gage. I have a lot of digital equipment though too, so I just change the resolution to metric and adjust. Not much thought to it ( no more so than inches ). But on a machine that runs in inches in a shop that manufacters in inches.... convert it!! Otherwise... quote: While you're programming metric, use metric tooling, metric stock, after all that's on the print too. Tell him "I can't run the part the way you're asking because we don't have any metric inspection equipment, metric machine and a metric operator. Kind of like buying a car without wheels, 'I can get in, start the engine... just can't go anywhere'. quote: whats more precise .001mm or .0001in? In all honesty, I debate whether or not a machine ( in an open shop atmosphere ) can actually hold/adjust to .001mm ( which is .000039 for inch guys ). Thermal deviation alone can cause a machine to move that, much less adjust for it. The only time I've seen it done is in complete environmental control... beyond most shops I think. Even if you bored a hole to a tenth (inches now), hold it in your hand awhile and it changes. Imagine trying to hold profiles and contours to .001mm on a machine thats just sitting on 3-6 inches of concrete, concrete lag bolts if you're lucky (some shop owners call that a foundation ) near to an open shipping bay door. Program shows .xx1, machine says it went to .xx1, but did really? Yeah, right! I think not. Frank, go with what you feel. You'll make a better part I think. It's alright to walk through a dark forest but the least he could do is give you flashlight. So far you don't even have a couple matches. Sorry guys, went off on a tangent. JM2C x 200 yen

Just checked it... note says you also need "Patches and Updates through October 2004".

I'd try again. Mine says 'MR0105'. But I also believe you need 0904 installed first before 0105... or am I not remembering right?

Just realized his comp is set to 'right'?

quote: you are doing something wrong, shouldnt be like that. He's picking the right wall as the contour so it will be like that. If the left wall was included in the chained geometry, then it won't( on a contour cut).

Dave, quote: and change to pbld, n, sgabsinc, "G28", "Z0.", e pbld, n, "G28", "X0.", "Y0.", e Don't you mean and change to n, sgabsinc, "G28", "Z0.", e n, "G28", "X0.", "Y0.", e ??

You can change a switch in your post to shut off block skips. Should look something like this under the "common user-defined variable" : bld : 1 #Block delete active Change the '1' to a '0' and it should shut off the block skip function. Assuming your post is V8 or newer and not an updated V6 or 7. Let me know if that doesn't work.