mastercam and minimill ???

[ouch]

harbor freight mini mill conversion to work with mastercam x4 if so how would I go about that? If it takes a while I don't care I am disabled and have nothing but time. I just need step by step directions. I am new to the software it was sent from work with me to try and do some home prototype for my employer who is nice enough to keep on payroll on a prototype basis. For every pro type that will work for them I get a pretty good chunk of change.

[PriddyShiddy]

are you using mach 3?

[ouch]

thial version til next monts disability chck comes in. Whan Ime really wondering abouot is the setting of mastercam ware it seys machine type and such I am not sure how to set that and the other settings for the machine

[txcncman]

You MasterCam reseller should be able to help you with most of the basics. It should have come part of a package deal when you bought the software that you would get a certain amount of support.

[ouch]

It was an extra my company had purchased and had not used so I don't know if they can help or not they really didn't have plans for it til I became disabled. My only job now is to come up with now products for the company. Assuming I can get it set up for my mill

[txcncman]

Legally, I am not sure there is such a thing as an "extra copy". I do not think you can just pass licenses around willy nilly. If you are still under employment by the original company, even if it is under contract, you will be able to get support from their vendor.

[ouch]

I am what thay are calling on call duty but I am employed by them yes but I do not work in there building I work in my apartmint about 50 miles away

[txcncman]

Must be a really small company. But, it would seem like you would qualify for support from the dealer. At least to get your first machine definition set up and a generic post processor. Have your company put you in touch with the dealer for support. They can probably set you up with some training too.

[ouch]

Yes we are a small company I get special treatment because I am half owner I think I will do as you all advise but I,m just the type who likes to di it himself but in this case that does not seem possible thanks all for the advise

[txcncman]

Well, I feel bad for you for your situation, but the learning curve starting from zero is months, if not years. For example, can you run a manual mill and read blueprints and make parts? If the answer is no or "No, not yet.", then you would need to start there. If you can run a manual mill and read blueprints and make parts, can you write a CNC G-code program by hand with a notebook and a pencil and a calculator? If you can't, then that would be where you need to start. Starting with CAD/CAM is really not the way to do it. Most people back into CNC programming by being an operator first and have someone else writing the CNC programs for them. Maybe that is where you should start. Do you have the mill fully set up ready to run, with needed work holding and tooling? If you don't, then how are you going to practice and test the programs? Have you witnessed first hand a CNC mill in operation? Can you visualize the set up and the cutting that needs to be done to produce a part? Can you visualize the tool changes? Do you know how to calculate cutting speeds and feed rates? Do you have an idea of what good depths of cut are for both axle and radial DOC? Have you read much of the online help available in MasterCam? Do you know how to access the online help? Do you know how to transfer G-code programs for a computer to a CNC machine?

I could probably continue these questions for another 20 minutes. And that would be just to find out where you are. Do you really want to start at the beginning? Have you at least opened MasterCam and tried using the drawing tools to make a shape?

[ouch]

Yes I can run a manual mill I cut my teeth on them. never used a cnc mill thow.
I can read blue print and use a printer to print them out using auto cad which I own a legal copy of but hate. I love hand writing g-code. I ran the companys cutting laser I would often use there 3d program but mostly do it by hand. so Ime not a total newb just kinda. My mill is mostly set up up we have to get the proper power supply yet we orderded the wrong one the firdt time opps LOL

[txcncman]

Ok, then the first place you need to start is making part drawings in MasterCam. Without some entities to select, you cannot set any tool paths. Draw up a couple of parts and then save them. Then do Save As > Save As Type > DXF. Then upload them so we all will have a starting point of talking about selecting tool paths.