madcam updates

[Sky Blue]

Hi All
I'm using Rhino3 and Madcam3 at work. Are there any updates/patchs for madcam?
One annoying thing is, if you have for example 3 pockets to machine, you draw a box round the first one click boundary and choose machining Z level, then you select the second pocket, click boundary and choose Z level it complains that theres a problem with clipping planes. If you select Z level again it works.

Can't get our boss to part with any money for updates.

Cheers
Sky Blue

[xlr8tr@mac.c]

Have you checked the latest version on the MadCam download page here;

http://www.madcamcnc.com/download_page.asp

It's a shame your boss won't let you update as MadCam 4 is excellent - it has the same familiar feel but much improved functionality, Plus Joakims legendary support of course.

[dgoddard]

I'm using MadCam4 and really like it except for one drawback. For feeds in ipm MadCam will only ouput whole numbers. If my speed/feed calls for say, 3.4 ipm, it will output G-code as 3 ipm. I either run at 3 or have to go in and edit G-code program to change from 3 to 3.4 ipm. Would like to see ability added to MadCam to output x.x feeds. Otherwise, like program.

[dgoddard]

What is status of adding ability to input/output less than whole IPM feeds into MadCam? Having to edit code to input correct feeds.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by dgoddard What is status of adding ability to input/output less than whole IPM feeds into MadCam? Having to edit code to input correct feeds.

dgoddard I remember you bringing this up once before and had forgotton about it. Can you please explain why you need a fractional feedrate? I will try to explain why I ask this question.

If you are running your part say at 50 ipm what difference would 49.5 make? Now if you are running at 5ipm I possibly could understand, but am not sure even at that it would make a difference.

Please understand, I am not questioning your need, nor your request. I am trying to understand why it will make a difference.

Mike

[turmite]

Sky Blue,

Why are you selecting a boundry around a pocket? It has been a long time since I used V3, but if I remember, you can select the first pocket via the edge curves at the bottom of the pocket, select 2d and it will only cut the pocket, right click, select the next pocket's curves and hit enter and you will then have the second set of tool paths. Same for the third.

Would you try this for me and let me know if it works?

I normally create a set of curves from the edge, set the direction take the measurements and then do all the pockets.

Mike

Originally Posted by Sky Blue Hi All I'm using Rhino3 and Madcam3 at work. Are there any updates/patchs for madcam? One annoying thing is, if you have for example 3 pockets to machine, you draw a box round the first one click boundary and choose machining Z level, then you select the second pocket, click boundary and choose Z level it complains that theres a problem with clipping planes. If you select Z level again it works. Can't get our boss to part with any money for updates. Cheers Sky Blue

[turmite]

I'm going to call you Mr. Morgan because I am sure I will screw up your users name!

I just went to your site. Beautiful work. I am just now beginning to make guitars and am truly inspired by the instruments I saw on your site. Any hints, suggestions or top secret secrets would be greatly appreciated!

Mike

Originally Posted by xlr8tr@mac.c Have you checked the latest version on the MadCam download page here; http://www.madcamcnc.com/download_page.asp It's a shame your boss won't let you update as MadCam 4 is excellent - it has the same familiar feel but much improved functionality, Plus Joakims legendary support of course.

[dgoddard]

Originally Posted by turmite dgoddard I remember you bringing this up once before and had forgotton about it. Can you please explain why you need a fractional feedrate? I will try to explain why I ask this question. If you are running your part say at 50 ipm what difference would 49.5 make? Now if you are running at 5ipm I possibly could understand, but am not sure even at that it would make a difference. Please understand, I am not questioning your need, nor your request. I am trying to understand why it will make a difference. Mike

Mike, real simple - you don't mill steel at 50ipm. Depending on endmill size and hardness of material I normally mill between 2 and 6 ipm. If feed calls for 2.7 and MadCam rounds down to 2 the difference is a 25% difference. When running a long job the time difference is noticable. I either have to edit feed rate or adjust rpm. Not efficient. I also do multiple operations with different tools each with a different feed rate. I now have to edit the file to correct each one. Know it is not a big deal for those who machine in metric but for those in inches it is a real pain. This would be a "good" mod for us inch users.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by dgoddard Mike, real simple - you don't mill steel at 50ipm. Depending on endmill size and hardness of material I normally mill between 2 and 6 ipm. If feed calls for 2.7 and MadCam rounds down to 2 the difference is a 25% difference. When running a long job the time difference is noticable. I either have to edit feed rate or adjust rpm. Not efficient. I also do multiple operations with different tools each with a different feed rate. I now have to edit the file to correct each one. Know it is not a big deal for those who machine in metric but for those in inches it is a real pain. This would be a "good" mod for us inch users.

Well, you are right about the 50ipm in steel. Joakim's 5 axis mills it a about 1500 ipm. On the other hand, I read a post on a guitar builder's forum last night where I saw the guy posted his speeds for cutting abalone shell for inlays. 7.5ipm.

"If feed calls for 2.7 and MadCam rounds down to 2 the difference is a 25% difference."

Can you explain what you mean by the above statement? Who is calling for the feedrate? How are you arriving at the called for numbers?

BTW I talked with Joakim today and he said he would take a look at making this available.....I don't know when, or how long it will be, or for that matter, if it can be done with his alogrithems (sp).

Mike

[Dan B]

Hi dgoddard,

For feeds that slow I have to assume one or more of the following:

1) the machine is fragile
2) the endmills are very small
3) your tooling is HSS not carbide
4) the steel is pre-hardened.

If some of these are true, then your feedrates make sense.

We run 1/8 endmills in 4140 (tool steel) at 12 ipm. That's a standard carbide endmill. If you use "extreme" endmills (high helix) you can run some pretty crazy feed rates. We use them occasionally for slotting steel, and with the proper type of path (like a trochoidal path for example) you can cut with a depth of cut equal to the Ø of the cutter at well over 100 ipm. Of course that's more like Ø3/8 endmills, not Ø1/8.

Anyway, have you ever thought of programming in metric? With metric feedrates you have way more versatility. For example, 2 ipm would be approximately 50mm/min. 2.7 ipm would be about 68mm/min. No decimals required. We have always used metric since all our customers (the automotive companies mainly, even the US ones) work in metric. Like the metric system in general, it's way easier than the imperial system.

Just a thought.

Dan

[xlr8tr@mac.c]

Originally Posted by turmite I'm going to call you Mr. Morgan because I am sure I will screw up your users name! I just went to your site. Beautiful work. I am just now beginning to make guitars and am truly inspired by the instruments I saw on your site. Any hints, suggestions or top secret secrets would be greatly appreciated! Mike

Mike,

You have a PM

Neil

[turmite]

Originally Posted by Dan B Like the metric system in general, it's way easier than the imperial system. Dan

Now Dan, that all depends if you started with metric or not! I personally can think if thousand's of an inch much quicker than I can in fractional or metric. Think yes, work no! I am slow regardless!!!

Mike