Master Cam Problem Try Not To Laugh

[Techbuilder]

So I'm very new to this and I'm a college student and I bought a cnc machine to mess around with.
Now I have a 3d part in Solid works and I imported it in to mastercam x3
and when I go to make a contour or a pocket the program decides to take the diameter of the endmill into the part, So if I'm trying to cut a 2" x 4" part and I use a 1/2" end mill my rectangle will come out to be 1"x3".

Do I have to offset the edge or something to prevent this from happening?

I know it's probably very simple but I'm very new to this and I still have a lot to learn.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[Superman]

There are a few things to set to get a "good" path

selecting geometry
-when you select, always "chain" ( select nearest the end of the entity where you want the tool to start, it will show 2 green arrows, --> along the chain to indicate the direction, the other is the side the tool will be--how far depends on the "XY offset value")


parameter settings
-comp type-
"computer" - toolpath is offset from the geometry by the tool radius plus the XY offset amount
"control" - toolpath is on top of the contour, tool radius is put into the tool D register of the control
"wear" - similar to "computer, but D-register is used, set as zero, -ive value cuts into the part, +ive cuts further away
"Off" - no comp used, no D-register is output
"Off" with no lead in/out can be used for engraving letter/numers etc

- lead in/out , is where you allow the tool to plunge and retract without having the tool go down/up against the part, creating gouge or dwell marks


How's that for starters ??

[Techbuilder]

That's awesome thank you very much!

[jolafson]

Also, in the toolpath operations did you check to see if "stock to leave" has a .5 in it? Just a thought, but above is prob. right, it's in your comp method I'd bet.

[Techbuilder]

I still can't get it to work
can someone possibly make a quick master cam file
so I have something to learn off of

here's the simple test I wanted to do

[TXFred]

Here you go. Quick and dirty, but it should be enough to get you started.

Op 1. Face milling.
Op 2. Outer contour
Op 3. Pockets.
Op 4. Remachining of the pockets.

I hope this helps.

Frederic