The more I get into using OnecncXP, the more I love the power of the NC manager.

I don't know about how you other wannabe programmers out there do stuff, but no matter what CADCAM system I am using, I habitually find myself going back and redoing sections of programs, due to my own oversight in setup parameters, or modification of the machining processes after the first run through on the mill. Its just part of life, I guess.

Anyways, the NC manager makes it so easy to control what area of your program that you want to work in. No need to destroy your whole program or try to pick your way through to the right place to insert your modified toolpath code. Just pick the part of the whole operation that you want to tweak, and edit your tools or whatever and repost. Bam, brand new post, all seamlessly integrated and ready to send.

Its not hard to learn to use, its just a matter of learning to think with the new software tools in mind. :)

HU,
Pretty slick set up, I agree.

Have you used the Rest Robot yet?
I,ve been machining a mold with a wierd pocket in it and the rest robot has been a god send.

Just as you said about the Nc Manager, with the Rest Robot, you can try different approachs to machine things and see the results.
Change tools or direction of tool paths, then reorder things.

Almost too easy.:p

Ward,
I haven't used the Rest Robot yet. I am anxious to do it, but it seems like I never try something until its time to actually cut a part!

But the concept of the Rest Robot makes me wonder, how did you ever know, when using Mill2000 (or any other gouge free software) , that you had actually machined the entire model right down to the surface?

Example: I machined some fancy molds for forming pulp trays for apples. The customer sent me the models, so I never actually knew what the smallest radii were. It was a nurbs (Not Understood Really Bizarre Skin) surface so that gives you an idea, that we have no idea what the surface is :D

Anyway, it didn't really matter in this case whether I did machine right to the surface in small radii. But, in using Mill 2000, there was really no way to know in what area the cutter I was using had left excess stock, because the software will not permit the tool to gouge. It always looked good in the simulation, but you cannot measure a simulation.

HU,
I know what you mean.

I always just used a small cutter and a small step over to make "sure" that it was really close to the model.

But this always added extra (read: wasted) time to machine.

With the rest robot and the nc manager you can use larger tools and then see the results. And if needed you can drop in a smaller tool to clean up areas that need work.
And best of all it only goes after the parts of the model that need to be reworked. (read: no wasted cutting) Cool.

Got to love that.