X3 TO X4 ??? WHAT IS SO GREAT

[CNC_BOB]

can anyone tell me what is so great with X4 ? I watched the video online and can not picture why I need a sliding WCS? I loaded it on one of our seats and notice that when I open the operations manager, the whole layout is different, It seems to me that those guys just change things around to justify their existence most times but I will strive to adapt and open up my mind confused

[Goldorak]

Originally Posted by CNC_BOB when I open the operations manager, the whole layout is different,

they took the HST style layout for 2d toolpath


x4 is about 5x faster than x3

more stable than X3MU1

verify is improved

dynamic WCS and dynamic xform is very useful when you program 4axis mill

multi chain supported for lathe groove

you can control feed and speed for rough/finish in lathe groove

Dynamic mill is outstanding in almost every simple or complex 2d machining

X+ works with lathe toolpath

active reports give you a detailed process of the job



IMHO i will never return to X3 or other previous Mcam versions

[Matt Berube]

Originally Posted by Goldorak they took the HST style layout for 2d toolpath x4 is about 5x faster than x3 more stable than X3MU1 verify is improved dynamic WCS and dynamic xform is very useful when you program 4axis mill multi chain supported for lathe groove you can control feed and speed for rough/finish in lathe groove Dynamic mill is outstanding in almost every simple or complex 2d machining X+ works with lathe toolpath active reports give you a detailed process of the job IMHO i will never return to X3 or other previous Mcam versions

Yeah, the speed gain comes from the new "multithreading" which takes full advantage of multi-core CPUs on some of the Surface High-Speed toolpaths. If you do complex 3-D machining that "crunches" for a long time this enhancement alone will pay the maintenance bill via reduced programming time.

Another thing about the multithreading is that when you generate or re-generate a (Surface HS) toolpath it takes a few seconds to load into the multithreading manager but then it becomes a background process and you are given control of the screen to continue drawing, creating toolpaths, modifying toolpaths, backplotting, etc. etc...

The new multithreading in Mastercam X4 is Friggin' Awesome !

[Superman]

Plus
-the privelige of having even lighter pockets. LOL
-the knowledge that you don't know enough ( more to learn )
-the fact that teachers will never be un-employed
-the reality that the light at the end of the tunnel, is in fact only a mirror ( who knows where the blo*dy end is )

- knowledge that the boss' dream of "dropping in a model, push the program button, and say 'hey presto, alla kasam' ", has just taken a step closer to being real

[Shotout]

Originally Posted by Superman Plus <SNIP> - knowledge that the boss' dream of "dropping in a model, push the program button, and say 'hey presto, alla kasam' ", has just taken a step closer to being real

I was thinking the last myself until the job I just got through QA today. It is a part that should be a 5 axis job being done in 4 across 3 ops. Long story short it cut, it checked in tolerance but it took all day to run.Today I got the 1st order of 4 pieces ready to go to paint by reprogramming it in hours less machine time(read money in the bank). A lot of created geometry and pocket toolpaths to rough it in, some 3D contour toolpaths, some old fashioned use a tool with a radius to match the fillet when the angle would allow it, cheat where I could and consistently hold tolerance and a couple dozen surface flowline and project toolpaths and now instead of taking 4hrs to run OP1 it takes less than 3 to run a complete part. My software is still the stronger. All the new bells and whistles have there place, but old fashioned sense and creativeness still out performed. I do like a lot of the new features. I will continue to play with the FBM and such but when it comes to getting parts out the door the press the program button is still just a dream. my $.02 anyway.
Scott

[neurosis]

Dont forget the new and exciting bugs to find work arounds for. Thats always motivation to start using a new version of Mastercam!

All joking aside, the dynamic 2d HSS roughing alone makes the upgrade to X4 worth the time. While there are honestly too many bugs in X4 for me to commit to converting all of our older part files over, there are some jobs that I will program in X4 to specifically take advantage of some of the new tool paths and features. They are real time savers!

Here is hoping that the MU comes out soon.

Regards.

[Goldorak]

just don't click the tip compensation on drilling toolpath....it's a direct crash, i can't tell why they release X4 with a bug like this......

[charger19690]

Well despite all I have said about X4 namingly all the "bugs", I think it has alot of potential.

The Active Reports Setup Sheets are my peak of interest. I won't even look at FBM for a couple years yet, I was disappointed with that in X3, but the Dynamic Mill has potential, but don't know when I will have an application to use it.

Personally as with any software, the more you figure out how to use it, the more you will like it. I have been using Mastercam for over 7 years now and still learning some core functions that have been there all the time.

Don't be too quick to judge it because I am not sure there are too many people that know everything about it.

Mike in MN

http://www.cncbasics.com
http://www.cncbasicsforum.com
http://www.mastercamforum.com
http://www.mastercamblog.com

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by charger19690 Well despite all I have said about X4 namingly all the "bugs", I think it has alot of potential. The Active Reports Setup Sheets are my peak of interest. I won't even look at FBM for a couple years yet, I was disappointed with that in X3, but the Dynamic Mill has potential, but don't know when I will have an application to use it. Personally as with any software, the more you figure out how to use it, the more you will like it. I have been using Mastercam for over 7 years now and still learning some core functions that have been there all the time. Don't be too quick to judge it because I am not sure there are too many people that know everything about it. Mike in MN http://www.cncbasics.com http://www.cncbasicsforum.com http://www.mastercamforum.com http://www.mastercamblog.com

LOL, from what I have seen MC really doesn't remove any of the older functions so they keep adding up as new versions come out. The best part about this is from a user stand point where a new function won't do what you want it is possible to use one of the older functions to get the job done. I have not played with X4 yet, but I'm sure it will be up to par after the MU1 Release.