I see that here often Rick. All that crunch time is wasted!

That damn bug is kicking my xxxx!! I crunch 5 toolpaths overnight, come in the morning and find they ALL changed to .05" during regeneration!!! The operator needs the program, but no, he has to wait for me to recrunch the paths!!!

This bug just bit me in the xxxx today. 4 hard S7 blocks need welding. I added (relieve .6") to the tool description in the tool manager and sure xxxx, they didn't change in the ops, therefore, the setup sheet printed the original tool description. Needless to say, the cutter diameter is .1875 with a .250" shank and the walls rubbed off. I have known about this bug for some time, but I simply missed it today.

Actually our new state law prohibiting smokers in public buildings and employers caused one other problem here. People disappear! Although, it is damn nice not having the smoke in the office or the taverns.

Our new state law fixed that problem. Hahahha

I verified the same simple part with both the newer simulation verify and the mastercam verify. I had the quality settings to the max on the simulation verify and it still looks like xxxx. Maybe I'm missing a tolerance setting somewhere, but I certainly can't find it. Is there any way to match the simulation verify to the mastercam verify's quality? See the sample jpegs below. Simulation Verify Mastercam Verify

Wow Daniel, you explained that better than my coworker! I only pull trodes and make model mods in Pro/e. I toolpathed with it a few years ago for a couple months and hated it and brought in the Mastercam package since I was very familiar with it. At that time I knew absolutely nothing about Pro/e and struggled. Now that I am more familiar with the package, perhaps I should give it another shot toolpathing.

I haven't really messed with the simulator in X6. I didn't like the quality of the graphic resolution in X5's simulator, but I will certainly look at it when I get the chance. Thanks for the heads up

Must be the ones already supplied with the main package. Hahaha. Honestly, my reseller had an individual whom was outstanding at this kind of stuff. He is no longer there. I think the other guys are working hard to pick up his work. I have no issues with the individual helping me now. I'm grateful he's pointing me in the right direction rather than biting on something he can't chew. I don't understand why it is the resellers sole responsibility when configuring this kind of stuff. Shouldn't CNC help the reseller with this rather than relying on another reseller?

Ah, I understand you now Tyler. See below for a snippet of the resellers Maintenance program ad. It does mention having to pay extra for some 4/5 axis post support, but I would think Mill Level 3 with solids and paying for maintenance would get me some support. Ongoing Support Only those customers on maintenance will receive ongoing support from our highly trained, experienced veteran Applications Engineers. XXXXX’s seventeen years as the leading CAM software provider to manufacturers’ means you continue to get the best service and support in the industry. Post Processors Post Processor support is included with your maintenance. Xxxxx has post processors available for over 5,000 machine tools. New piece of equipment? Call us for a working post processor to quickly and easily integrate it into your operations. As a maintenance customer you get access to our Post Processor Library available from our Post Department. Some machines and 4/5 axis posts will require additional charges.

I have to give credit where credit is due. The X6 Verify with the 64-bit support works awesome! Just loaded a 228,950KB .stl as stock in verify for my finishing ops. It worked great and didn't crash!!

It is a very FAIR comparison. He contacted his reseller and within a 15 minute conversation they had his software crunching and posting good code (not including the vericut). I call the reseller and get nothing but a future quote.

Well, I contacted our reseller. They aren't able to help me. They sent me some documentation regarding posts, but in those docs, it only shows you how to convert a mill post to a router, not vice versa. They are going to get a quote from In-House Solutions to get me what I need. I didn't think I should have to pay for something like this. I just want to use the aggregated head. My coworker toolpaths in Pro/e and he just had to create a 45° plane and add some numbers for that head and was done. He didn't need a separate post, but just a phone call to Pro/e. I was shocked it was that easy for him. Not to mention, his package includes Vericut, which accurately displays the entire head, tool and workpiece. I'll contact CNC directly after I get the quote from my reseller and hopefully they can help.

That's when you really realize the problems we have been accustomed to. I'm training an individual for the trode department. He is more frustrated than me cuz he doesn't know all the work arounds yet!

Sounds like the same issue that plagues hybrid now and then. It's taking forever to actually jump into multi-thread mode.

I honestly don't think the ".050" stock to leave" issue has anything to do with the defaults. I check that box on every toolpath before I crunch it. It somehow is changing to .050" while it is crunching.

5 high speed toolpaths crunching in multi-thread mode for over an hour and now a crash. Wasted time again!

My defaults are set to zero, but I still have .05 in the stock to leave box now and then.

Thank you for explaining that very well Colin!! I will get as much setup as I can and call my reseller on Monday.

Ah, I was wondering about that Tyler. I'll keep playing with it.

I do have some data to sort thru, but just got buried by a quick hot project. I do have the tool backplotting correctly, but I can't get the solid component (angled head) attached to the tool. In the help file, it mentions I must add a router spindle to my machine def. This is where I'm getting lost for the time being. I need to see that angled head attached to the tool during backplot or verify since it will be machining in a large cavity.

I was hoping to tip the part at 45°, but the part is too big. The head will be setup and fixed with the tool pointing to X+. Bruce, that all makes sense to me but I have a question about the tool length. Is it best to have the tool setup in the head and then take the measurement?

bump

We just purchased a 45 degree angled head to attach to our VMC's. We want to use surfacing toolpaths and this head for machining detail in our molds. Where do I start with this contraption? Do I make a new machine definition? Must I use a router post? I don't have the 5 axis license and not sure if I can really use this new toy.

I hope you have the toolist at the top of your posted program so you can double check. I have found errors that way now and then regarding the tools.