having problem getting a reliable result using mx3 post also curious as to cutter comp options preferred in mastercam's operation manager for the mx3??? This is for prototrak mx3 /age3

What problems are you having?

As far as the comp options, it appears that you have a choice as to where the G40 gets placed but the directions are a little fuzzy.

As to my comp question I was refering to the mastercam options ,computer,wear,reverse wear, control or off. thank you

Mastercam gives you five cutter compensation options:

¨ Computer – calculates the compensated tool positions based on the tool diameter stored in Mastercam's tool library. It does not insert the G41/G42 codes in your NC program, but codes the compensation directly into the position and feed moves. This option does not give the machine tool operator the opportunity to adjust for tool wear at the control.

¨ Control - calculates the toolpath to the geometry with no offset. Mastercam inserts G41 (left compensation in control), G42 (right compensation in control), and G40 (compensation off) codes in the NC program and relies on the control to calculate the compensation positions. The compensated positions are based on the tool's diameter stored in your machine's control, not the diameter stored in Mastercam's tool library.

This option does simulate compensation in the toolpath display. When you view, backplot, or verify the toolpath, it shows the compensation. After selecting compensation in control, select Right or Left for the compensation direction
Note: Both compensation in computer and in control are related to the Stock to leave parameter on the Contour parameters dialog box (Main Menu, Toolpaths, Contour). When you enter a positive value for the stock to leave, Mastercam offsets the cutter in the direction specified by the compensation direction parameter (right or left). If you set it to a negative value, Mastercam offsets the cutter in the opposite direction. If you set compensation Off, Mastercam determines the offset direction by the compensation direction parameter.

¨ Wear – combines compensation in computer and control. Mastercam calculates the compensated positions based on the tool diameter stored in the tool library, and codes them into the position and feed moves in the NC program. It also inserts the G40/G41/G42 codes to turn cutter compensation on and off. In effect, the tool moves are compensated twice.

Wear allows for a wear offset (the difference between the original tool size and the reground tool size) to be applied at the control. The wear offset is a negative number entered into the tool diameter register.

¨ Reverse wear - works exactly like wear compensation except that the sign is reversed. Use reverse wear compensation if your control stores wear values as positive numbers.

¨ Off – applies no cutter compensation. Even with compensation set to Off, you can pick a compensation direction to allow for lead in moves, lead out moves, and stock to leave.



This is from MasterCam help file. HTH

:cheers:

Thank you very much psycho mill, so that doesn't relate to my problems with my post.
I can check that off. The info I just recieved from my operator is the problem is giving an error message of something like (arc not possible).
Now I can barely understand his english as he nor any of the operators has very good english, not that mine isn't a mess.

I'm not too familiar with the MX3 so I'll take a stab here.

A couple of guesses. Does the control use I and J arcs or R? Or can it use either?
Another thing possible is that maybe the code is trying to engage cutter comp on an arc move (G2 or G3)? Most controls can't take up comp on an arc and require a linear move (sometimes in two directions on older controls, or at the very least perpendicular to the cutting axis).

Another possibility is that the amount of comp is exceeding the amount of comp move or the machine is trying to comp more than the arc value of the program (common to inside corners).

control uses i,j I just noticed that it isnt posting a d# d0 is all I'm getting allthough inthe mastercam operation window it shows a 1 in the dia box. hmm
thank you again for reply

Looking at a generic version of the MX3 post, the "D0" is forced in the post so it won't matter what number you use in the tool parameter, you'll always get a D0. Does the machine use a D number for tools? Or maybe the operator isn't putting the comp value in the correct place?