I need a little help setting up Mastercam X4 with Mach3

[8ABagel]

Since this is my first post, I thought I would introduce myself. I am a high school phyisics teacher who runs a robotics club (tahomarobotics.org). Unfortunately, I have no formal training in CNC. I am self taught and have taught my students enough so that they can do a fair amount of 2.5D milling. We have been using Mastercam X4 with a small TechnoDavinci 3 axis router for about 6 months.

We recently purchased a large mill from Industrial Hobbies and are excited to use it for our larger parts. I have a few questions regarding the set up within Mastercam.

First, I went to the ArtSoft website and downloaded the Mastercam post processor file and put it in the mcamx\mill\posts directory.

However, I am a little confused on which machine to choose in mastercam which will use the post. It appears that I need a .MMD file and a .control file as well to put in the mcamx\cnc_machines directory. I'm assuming these files would make use of the post that I downloaded for Mach3.

My question is, do I need to write these files myself or are there files that I can download?

I hope that I have articulated my issue clearly. Please excuse my ignorance. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Darren

[budgieW]

Darren,

X4 posts have 3 files *.mmd, *.control and *.pst.

[8ABagel]

Ok, thank you. I was able to convert the .pst file into both the needed .control and .mmd files using mastercam.

[Srinivas]

Hi 8ABagel,

Hope you doing well Mastercam X4, if you have any doubts still you can contact:
camscad@hotmail.com

Rao

[bundysax]

Originally Posted by 8ABagel Ok, thank you. I was able to convert the .pst file into both the needed .control and .mmd files using mastercam.

I have also downloaded the three files for the post processor but I dont know exactly where to put the files, that is what files in what folder.

Currently I am using the fanuc post processor and it seems to be working ok but I know its not right.

Thanks for any help.

[Superman]

Generally, the machine and control definition files reside together and are placed in the C;\Mcamx\cnc_machines\ dir, and the post in the C:\Mcamx\"machine type"\posts\ dir ---(machine type meaning mill, lathe or wire). This is the standard layout on instalation.

Placing them is not overly critical, as when you define the machine (this one should reside in the cnc_machines dir ), you actually browse to attach both the contol file and the post, the path to these files is recorded in the full filename, if you later move these files, then the machine definition file needs to be updated with the correct path

[billm01830]

I would like to know how to modify the post for the 3 axis vmc Fanuc(Generic POST) in MC X4. I just want to add some g code lines at the beginning of the program, each tool change, and the ending of the program.
Thanks