how do i transfer tool pathes from mastercam x to mach3

[paulmcgee]

have had no experience with cnc at all, just finished converting an old eliot mill to cnc, using mach 3 as the controler and mastercamx as cad cam soft ware, can draw and put in to tool paths but i cannot seem to work out to transfer this to mach3, please help

[Superman]

a post processor is required to convert the operations ( toolpaths on the screen ) to NC code

--> select the operations you want "post processed"
--> select "G1" ( at top of operations manager )
--> choose the filename you want, or overwrite etc, and OK
( it should open in an editor for quick checks/mods etc ), "save as" to place that file into a "ready to machine" directory for your control to read-----after time, you will understand to keep the "post to" directory seperate from the directory that the control reads/saves to

take the NC file you have just created, and place it "active" in the control, set tools, & run it.

[paulmcgee]

yes done that thanks, i posted a simple toolpath to bore a hole 20mm diameter x 5mm deep with a 8mm flat end mill, it done the job alright with no problems but it tuck 5 hours, is this normal,

[Superman]

May I ask what is your machining background ??

Usually CNC is the next step after using manual metal removal machines ,
this give you experience in the use of cutters, drills. etc

5 hours----then investigate the speeds and feeds needed for that cutter, on that machine

my guess, it should be taking about 30 seconds....max....in alum

[paulmcgee]

no training at all, im a 47 year old car dealer, always had motor bikes and my hoddy is renovating and building old bikes, used a lathe for this for years now, and me eliot miller for about three, my lack of training hassent stopped me making my own bike parts such as tanks, frames, exhausts, twin leading brake plates, build more engines than enough, so im not daft, ive spent two weeks in converting me eliot and learning master cam ten and mach three and im posting prgrames in that time with no help from any one but you, and yes i would of expected it to do that particular job in the time you say, but ive never even seen a cnc machine in operation so i dont no what to expect, its an old machine, but with a slow spindle speed of about 1700 max, but even if it takes a long time at least i can bore holes in the right place which is important to me, but im obviously doing something wrong,