In the attached file I have a unified toolpath cutting an angled surface. What I don't like about the toolpath is how the lead in / out looks good on one side but not on the other. On the "bad" side the tool goes through the material to get to the first move of the toolpath. I played around with the start point controls in unified "parameters" > "cut pattern" > "start point parameters" but no matter what I do, one side always has a "bad " lead in / out. I would like the leads on both sides to look like the "good" side. Is there a way for this to be accomplished? MC2023

Thanks in advance for any help!

Unified_Start_Point_Control.mcam

13 hours ago, gcode said:

also try the equal scallop toolpath with .001 stepover.. it yields a much cleaner toolplath

 

A bit off topic but, is this .001 offset benefit something that applies to all containment boundary toolpaths? Or does this only benefit in equal scallop toolpath? 

26 minutes ago, #Rekd™ said:

Almost everything I have learned in Mastercam has been learned from reading topics on this forum and trying to figure things out (learning how). 

@Colin Gilchrist  @crazy^millman have helped me a lot, I owe them many thanks!

Couldn't agree more

I believe G04 (dwell) is the code you're looking for

59 minutes ago, nperry said:

Right now it's set up in 4 operations, all 3 axis. The motion I have is exactly what I want, but for some reason I cannot get it to output for 4 axis positional moves. I change the WCS information and play with the tool axis control parameters and I can't get anything satisfactory. I've tried all of the direction controls and also using lines.

I think Aaron nailed it. I selected all the edges with solid selection, changed to 4-axis (rotary) machining type, and changed direction to x-axis and got a good output. I don't know if it's what you're looking for because it sounds like you're looking for a 4+1 motion, what I did was a 4-axis simultaneous motion.

I can't seem to get a motion that perfectly mimics the 4x 3-axis toolpaths. The closest I got was using machining type 3+2 and locking the tilt range to 90. But doing this causes the tool to ignore a couple edges for some reason... Both of these attempts are at the bottom of the operation list in the attached file. Hope this helps!

I was incorrect in my original post. When 4-axis (rotary) machining type is selected the direction is the rotation axis. When 3-axis machining type is selected the direction is pointed towards the direction you want the tool to approach from.

DEBURRFILE.mcam

A file will always be helpful.

1 hour ago, nperry said:

All I want to do is get that 3 axis motion to output with A180. My present workaround is to program it for a 3 axis operation and then go in and hand code the rotary position.

My thought is this is more of a post issue that you're trying to work around. If you're able to reach all the edges you need to deburr with your tool axis set to 3-axis, then I think that's what you should use. If the only issue is the post isn't outputting an A180 then I'd look into the post instead of trying to switch to a 4-axis rotary toolpath setup.

If there are additional edges you are trying to reach that the 3-axis toolpath setup can't get to, then a file to play with or more information and pictures would be needed. 

Here's a shot in the dark: the direction should be set to point in the direction you want the tool to approach from. So instead of the direction set to the Z-axis (this will read the WCS Z-axis not the tool plane) try setting the direction to line and draw a line along the Z-axis of your A180 tool plane.

14 hours ago, crazy^millman said:

I always regenerate any operation after making any change.

That's the difference. I've developed a bad habit of relying on the automatic "Generate Toolpath" check box so most of the time I don't regenerate the operation after green checking out. I guess I need to work on breaking that habit.

Thanks for all the time you've spent on this Ron, I really appreciate it.

11 minutes ago, crazy^millman said:

I looked at the file and see this. Why?

I changed to 51 and 52 and posted and got this:

%
O0000(T)
(DATE=DD-MM-YY - 08-05-23 TIME=HH:MM - 12:24)
(MCAM FILE - C:\USERS\RON\DOCUMENTS\MY MASTERCAM 2023\MASTERCAM\PARTS\FLOWLINE_LEADS_SAMPLE_MC2023.MCAM)
(NC FILE - C:\USERS\RON\DOCUMENTS\MY MASTERCAM 2023\MASTERCAM\MILL\NC\T.NC)
(MATERIAL - ALUMINUM INCH - 2024)
( T1 | 0.5 SPHERICAL / BALL-NOSED ENDMILL | H1 )
N100 G20
N110 G0 G17 G40 G49 G80 G90
( FINISH FILLET ON SIDE OF GIMBAL 1 )
N120 T1 M6
N130 G0 G90 G54 X-2.3 Y0. A0. S1000 M3
N140 G43 H1 Z1.
N150 Z.6
N160 G1 Z.5 F51.
N170 X-2.
N180 X0. F35.
N190 X.009 Y-.0014
N200 X.016 Y-.0052
N210 X.021 Y-.0108
N220 X.024 Y-.0176
N230 X.025 Y-.025
N240 X.024 Y-.0324
N250 X.021 Y-.0392
N260 X.016 Y-.0448
N270 X.009 Y-.0486
N280 X0. Y-.05
N290 X-2.
N300 X-2.009 Y-.0514
N310 X-2.016 Y-.0552
N320 X-2.021 Y-.0608
N330 X-2.024 Y-.0676
N340 X-2.025 Y-.075
N350 X-2.024 Y-.0824
N360 X-2.021 Y-.0892
N370 X-2.016 Y-.0948
N380 X-2.009 Y-.0986
N390 X-2. Y-.1
N400 X0.
N410 X.009 Y-.1014
N420 X.016 Y-.1052
N430 X.021 Y-.1108
N440 X.024 Y-.1176
N450 X.025 Y-.125
N460 X.024 Y-.1324
N470 X.021 Y-.1392
N480 X.016 Y-.1448
N490 X.009 Y-.1486
N500 X0. Y-.15
N510 X-2.
N520 X-2.009 Y-.1514
N530 X-2.016 Y-.1552
N540 X-2.021 Y-.1608
N550 X-2.024 Y-.1676
N560 X-2.025 Y-.175
N570 X-2.024 Y-.1824
N580 X-2.021 Y-.1892
N590 X-2.016 Y-.1948
N600 X-2.009 Y-.1986
N610 X-2. Y-.2
N620 X0.
N630 X.009 Y-.2014
N640 X.016 Y-.2052
N650 X.021 Y-.2108
N660 X.024 Y-.2176
N670 X.025 Y-.225
N680 X.024 Y-.2324
N690 X.021 Y-.2392
N700 X.016 Y-.2448
N710 X.009 Y-.2486
N720 X0. Y-.25
N730 X-2.
N740 X-2.009 Y-.2514
N750 X-2.016 Y-.2552
N760 X-2.021 Y-.2608
N770 X-2.024 Y-.2676
N780 X-2.025 Y-.275
N790 X-2.024 Y-.2824
N800 X-2.021 Y-.2892
N810 X-2.016 Y-.2948
N820 X-2.009 Y-.2986
N830 X-2. Y-.3
N840 X0.
N850 X.009 Y-.3014
N860 X.016 Y-.3052
N870 X.021 Y-.3108
N880 X.024 Y-.3176
N890 X.025 Y-.325
N900 X.024 Y-.3324
N910 X.021 Y-.3392
N920 X.016 Y-.3448
N930 X.009 Y-.3486
N940 X0. Y-.35
N950 X-2.
N960 X-2.009 Y-.3514
N970 X-2.016 Y-.3552
N980 X-2.021 Y-.3608
N990 X-2.024 Y-.3676
N1000 X-2.025 Y-.375
N1010 X-2.024 Y-.3824
N1020 X-2.021 Y-.3892
N1030 X-2.016 Y-.3948
N1040 X-2.009 Y-.3986
N1050 X-2. Y-.4
N1060 X0.
N1070 X.009 Y-.4014
N1080 X.016 Y-.4052
N1090 X.021 Y-.4108
N1100 X.024 Y-.4176
N1110 X.025 Y-.425
N1120 X.024 Y-.4324
N1130 X.021 Y-.4392
N1140 X.016 Y-.4448
N1150 X.009 Y-.4486
N1160 X0. Y-.45
N1170 X-2.
N1180 X-2.009 Y-.4514
N1190 X-2.016 Y-.4552
N1200 X-2.021 Y-.4608
N1210 X-2.024 Y-.4676
N1220 X-2.025 Y-.475
N1230 X-2.024 Y-.4824
N1240 X-2.021 Y-.4892
N1250 X-2.016 Y-.4948
N1260 X-2.009 Y-.4986
N1270 X-2. Y-.5
N1280 X0.
N1290 X.009 Y-.5014
N1300 X.016 Y-.5052
N1310 X.021 Y-.5108
N1320 X.024 Y-.5176
N1330 X.025 Y-.525
N1340 X.024 Y-.5324
N1350 X.021 Y-.5392
N1360 X.016 Y-.5448
N1370 X.009 Y-.5486
N1380 X0. Y-.55
N1390 X-2.
N1400 X-2.009 Y-.5514
N1410 X-2.016 Y-.5552
N1420 X-2.021 Y-.5608
N1430 X-2.024 Y-.5676
N1440 X-2.025 Y-.575
N1450 X-2.024 Y-.5824
N1460 X-2.021 Y-.5892
N1470 X-2.016 Y-.5948
N1480 X-2.009 Y-.5986
N1490 X-2. Y-.6
N1500 X0.
N1510 X.009 Y-.6014
N1520 X.016 Y-.6052
N1530 X.021 Y-.6108
N1540 X.024 Y-.6176
N1550 X.025 Y-.625
N1560 X.024 Y-.6324
N1570 X.021 Y-.6392
N1580 X.016 Y-.6448
N1590 X.009 Y-.6486
N1600 X0. Y-.65
N1610 X-2.
N1620 X-2.009 Y-.6514
N1630 X-2.016 Y-.6552
N1640 X-2.021 Y-.6608
N1650 X-2.024 Y-.6676
N1660 X-2.025 Y-.675
N1670 X-2.024 Y-.6824
N1680 X-2.021 Y-.6892
N1690 X-2.016 Y-.6948
N1700 X-2.009 Y-.6986
N1710 X-2. Y-.7
N1720 X0.
N1730 X.009 Y-.7014
N1740 X.016 Y-.7052
N1750 X.021 Y-.7108
N1760 X.024 Y-.7176
N1770 X.025 Y-.725
N1780 X.024 Y-.7324
N1790 X.021 Y-.7392
N1800 X.016 Y-.7448
N1810 X.009 Y-.7486
N1820 X0. Y-.75
N1830 X-2.
N1840 X-2.009 Y-.7514
N1850 X-2.016 Y-.7552
N1860 X-2.021 Y-.7608
N1870 X-2.024 Y-.7676
N1880 X-2.025 Y-.775
N1890 X-2.024 Y-.7824
N1900 X-2.021 Y-.7892
N1910 X-2.016 Y-.7948
N1920 X-2.009 Y-.7986
N1930 X-2. Y-.8
N1940 X0.
N1950 X.009 Y-.8014
N1960 X.016 Y-.8052
N1970 X.021 Y-.8108
N1980 X.024 Y-.8176
N1990 X.025 Y-.825
N2000 X.024 Y-.8324
N2010 X.021 Y-.8392
N2020 X.016 Y-.8448
N2030 X.009 Y-.8486
N2040 X0. Y-.85
N2050 X-2.
N2060 X-2.009 Y-.8514
N2070 X-2.016 Y-.8552
N2080 X-2.021 Y-.8608
N2090 X-2.024 Y-.8676
N2100 X-2.025 Y-.875
N2110 X-2.024 Y-.8824
N2120 X-2.021 Y-.8892
N2130 X-2.016 Y-.8948
N2140 X-2.009 Y-.8986
N2150 X-2. Y-.9
N2160 X0.
N2170 X.009 Y-.9014
N2180 X.016 Y-.9052
N2190 X.021 Y-.9108
N2200 X.024 Y-.9176
N2210 X.025 Y-.925
N2220 X.024 Y-.9324
N2230 X.021 Y-.9392
N2240 X.016 Y-.9448
N2250 X.009 Y-.9486
N2260 X0. Y-.95
N2270 X-2.
N2280 X-2.009 Y-.9514
N2290 X-2.016 Y-.9552
N2300 X-2.021 Y-.9608
N2310 X-2.024 Y-.9676
N2320 X-2.025 Y-.975
N2330 X-2.024 Y-.9824
N2340 X-2.021 Y-.9892
N2350 X-2.016 Y-.9948
N2360 X-2.009 Y-.9986
N2370 X-2. Y-1.
N2380 X0.
N2390 X.3 F52.
N2400 G0 Z.6
N2410 Z1.
N2420 M5
N2430 G91 G28 Z0.
N2440 G28 X0. Y0. A0.
N2450 M30
%

 

In order to get my code to look like that I have to select the operation and click the "Regenerate all selected operations" button at the top of the toolpath manager.

Did you do anything else between green checking out of the parameters and posting the operation? Now I'm just curious as to how you get a different output than me if we have the same file.

This is the code I get if I change to F51 and F52:

%
O0000(GTGT)
(DATE=DD-MM-YY - 08-05-23 TIME=HH:MM - 15:40)
(MCAM FILE - C:\USERS\JAKELABRIE\DESKTOP\NEW FOLDER\FLOWLINE_LEADS_SAMPLE_MC2023.MCAM)
(NC FILE - C:\USERS\JAKELABRIE\DESKTOP\GTGT.NC)
(MATERIAL - ALUMINUM INCH - 2024)
( T1 | 0.5 SPHERICAL / BALL-NOSED ENDMILL | H1 )
N100 G20
N110 G0 G17 G40 G49 G80 G90
( FINISH FILLET ON SIDE OF GIMBAL 1 )
N120 T1 M6
N130 G0 G90 G54 X-2.3 Y0. A0. S1000 M3
N140 G43 H1 Z1.
N150 Z.6
N160 G1 Z.5 F51.
N170 X-2. F44.
N180 X0. F35.
N190 X.009 Y-.0014
N200 X.016 Y-.0052
N210 X.021 Y-.0108
N220 X.024 Y-.0176
N230 X.025 Y-.025
N240 X.024 Y-.0324
N250 X.021 Y-.0392
N260 X.016 Y-.0448
N270 X.009 Y-.0486
N280 X0. Y-.05
N290 X-2.
N300 X-2.009 Y-.0514
N310 X-2.016 Y-.0552
N320 X-2.021 Y-.0608
N330 X-2.024 Y-.0676
N340 X-2.025 Y-.075
N350 X-2.024 Y-.0824
N360 X-2.021 Y-.0892
N370 X-2.016 Y-.0948
N380 X-2.009 Y-.0986
N390 X-2. Y-.1
N400 X0.
N410 X.009 Y-.1014
N420 X.016 Y-.1052
N430 X.021 Y-.1108
N440 X.024 Y-.1176
N450 X.025 Y-.125
N460 X.024 Y-.1324
N470 X.021 Y-.1392
N480 X.016 Y-.1448
N490 X.009 Y-.1486
N500 X0. Y-.15
N510 X-2.
N520 X-2.009 Y-.1514
N530 X-2.016 Y-.1552
N540 X-2.021 Y-.1608
N550 X-2.024 Y-.1676
N560 X-2.025 Y-.175
N570 X-2.024 Y-.1824
N580 X-2.021 Y-.1892
N590 X-2.016 Y-.1948
N600 X-2.009 Y-.1986
N610 X-2. Y-.2
N620 X0.
N630 X.009 Y-.2014
N640 X.016 Y-.2052
N650 X.021 Y-.2108
N660 X.024 Y-.2176
N670 X.025 Y-.225
N680 X.024 Y-.2324
N690 X.021 Y-.2392
N700 X.016 Y-.2448
N710 X.009 Y-.2486
N720 X0. Y-.25
N730 X-2.
N740 X-2.009 Y-.2514
N750 X-2.016 Y-.2552
N760 X-2.021 Y-.2608
N770 X-2.024 Y-.2676
N780 X-2.025 Y-.275
N790 X-2.024 Y-.2824
N800 X-2.021 Y-.2892
N810 X-2.016 Y-.2948
N820 X-2.009 Y-.2986
N830 X-2. Y-.3
N840 X0.
N850 X.009 Y-.3014
N860 X.016 Y-.3052
N870 X.021 Y-.3108
N880 X.024 Y-.3176
N890 X.025 Y-.325
N900 X.024 Y-.3324
N910 X.021 Y-.3392
N920 X.016 Y-.3448
N930 X.009 Y-.3486
N940 X0. Y-.35
N950 X-2.
N960 X-2.009 Y-.3514
N970 X-2.016 Y-.3552
N980 X-2.021 Y-.3608
N990 X-2.024 Y-.3676
N1000 X-2.025 Y-.375
N1010 X-2.024 Y-.3824
N1020 X-2.021 Y-.3892
N1030 X-2.016 Y-.3948
N1040 X-2.009 Y-.3986
N1050 X-2. Y-.4
N1060 X0.
N1070 X.009 Y-.4014
N1080 X.016 Y-.4052
N1090 X.021 Y-.4108
N1100 X.024 Y-.4176
N1110 X.025 Y-.425
N1120 X.024 Y-.4324
N1130 X.021 Y-.4392
N1140 X.016 Y-.4448
N1150 X.009 Y-.4486
N1160 X0. Y-.45
N1170 X-2.
N1180 X-2.009 Y-.4514
N1190 X-2.016 Y-.4552
N1200 X-2.021 Y-.4608
N1210 X-2.024 Y-.4676
N1220 X-2.025 Y-.475
N1230 X-2.024 Y-.4824
N1240 X-2.021 Y-.4892
N1250 X-2.016 Y-.4948
N1260 X-2.009 Y-.4986
N1270 X-2. Y-.5
N1280 X0.
N1290 X.009 Y-.5014
N1300 X.016 Y-.5052
N1310 X.021 Y-.5108
N1320 X.024 Y-.5176
N1330 X.025 Y-.525
N1340 X.024 Y-.5324
N1350 X.021 Y-.5392
N1360 X.016 Y-.5448
N1370 X.009 Y-.5486
N1380 X0. Y-.55
N1390 X-2.
N1400 X-2.009 Y-.5514
N1410 X-2.016 Y-.5552
N1420 X-2.021 Y-.5608
N1430 X-2.024 Y-.5676
N1440 X-2.025 Y-.575
N1450 X-2.024 Y-.5824
N1460 X-2.021 Y-.5892
N1470 X-2.016 Y-.5948
N1480 X-2.009 Y-.5986
N1490 X-2. Y-.6
N1500 X0.
N1510 X.009 Y-.6014
N1520 X.016 Y-.6052
N1530 X.021 Y-.6108
N1540 X.024 Y-.6176
N1550 X.025 Y-.625
N1560 X.024 Y-.6324
N1570 X.021 Y-.6392
N1580 X.016 Y-.6448
N1590 X.009 Y-.6486
N1600 X0. Y-.65
N1610 X-2.
N1620 X-2.009 Y-.6514
N1630 X-2.016 Y-.6552
N1640 X-2.021 Y-.6608
N1650 X-2.024 Y-.6676
N1660 X-2.025 Y-.675
N1670 X-2.024 Y-.6824
N1680 X-2.021 Y-.6892
N1690 X-2.016 Y-.6948
N1700 X-2.009 Y-.6986
N1710 X-2. Y-.7
N1720 X0.
N1730 X.009 Y-.7014
N1740 X.016 Y-.7052
N1750 X.021 Y-.7108
N1760 X.024 Y-.7176
N1770 X.025 Y-.725
N1780 X.024 Y-.7324
N1790 X.021 Y-.7392
N1800 X.016 Y-.7448
N1810 X.009 Y-.7486
N1820 X0. Y-.75
N1830 X-2.
N1840 X-2.009 Y-.7514
N1850 X-2.016 Y-.7552
N1860 X-2.021 Y-.7608
N1870 X-2.024 Y-.7676
N1880 X-2.025 Y-.775
N1890 X-2.024 Y-.7824
N1900 X-2.021 Y-.7892
N1910 X-2.016 Y-.7948
N1920 X-2.009 Y-.7986
N1930 X-2. Y-.8
N1940 X0.
N1950 X.009 Y-.8014
N1960 X.016 Y-.8052
N1970 X.021 Y-.8108
N1980 X.024 Y-.8176
N1990 X.025 Y-.825
N2000 X.024 Y-.8324
N2010 X.021 Y-.8392
N2020 X.016 Y-.8448
N2030 X.009 Y-.8486
N2040 X0. Y-.85
N2050 X-2.
N2060 X-2.009 Y-.8514
N2070 X-2.016 Y-.8552
N2080 X-2.021 Y-.8608
N2090 X-2.024 Y-.8676
N2100 X-2.025 Y-.875
N2110 X-2.024 Y-.8824
N2120 X-2.021 Y-.8892
N2130 X-2.016 Y-.8948
N2140 X-2.009 Y-.8986
N2150 X-2. Y-.9
N2160 X0.
N2170 X.009 Y-.9014
N2180 X.016 Y-.9052
N2190 X.021 Y-.9108
N2200 X.024 Y-.9176
N2210 X.025 Y-.925
N2220 X.024 Y-.9324
N2230 X.021 Y-.9392
N2240 X.016 Y-.9448
N2250 X.009 Y-.9486
N2260 X0. Y-.95
N2270 X-2.
N2280 X-2.009 Y-.9514
N2290 X-2.016 Y-.9552
N2300 X-2.021 Y-.9608
N2310 X-2.024 Y-.9676
N2320 X-2.025 Y-.975
N2330 X-2.024 Y-.9824
N2340 X-2.021 Y-.9892
N2350 X-2.016 Y-.9948
N2360 X-2.009 Y-.9986
N2370 X-2. Y-1.
N2380 X0.
N2390 X.3 F50.
N2400 G0 Z.6
N2410 Z1.
N2420 M5
N2430 G91 G28 Z0.
N2440 G28 X0. Y0. A0.
N2450 M30
%

Just now, crazy^millman said:

I looked at the file and see this. Why?

That's just the number I used in the sample file. That number can be changed to any value and the "ghost number" issue persists. 

If you change that 500 that you're pointing to to say 66. Then regenerate the toolpath. Then go back in and change the 66 to say 45 (or any value) and green check. As long as you don't manually regenerate the toolpath, the gcode will post with a F66 AND a F45 even though 66 is no longer a value in any of the fields. 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean? The 500 wasn't default in the "Plunge rate" field when I selected the operation. And as far as I know, 500 is not a default plunge rate in any of my files or tools. I have always used 100 as my default.

23 minutes ago, crazy^millman said:

Is the post defaulted to output F500. for retract moves with that specific toolpath or rapid moves?

Thanks for the reply. The post in the sample file is the default MPFAN.pst so I don't think so, but I don't know for sure.

It looks like the ghost number is solely based on whatever number was originally in the toolpath. For example, if you start with a plunge rate of F66 and regen the toolpath. Then change the plunge rate to any other number. The original number (in this case F66) will become the ghost number in the gcode. What I mean by "ghost number" is the feed rate that shows up in the gcode but no longer exists in the MC file. In my last post F500 was the "ghost number"

1 minute ago, Colin Gilchrist said:

By Definition, you are manipulating the "Plunge and Retract" motion. Your only option is to use the Plunge and Retract Speeds (turn off "rapid retract", to save yourself the possibility of a Dog-leg Rapid Crash! This makes the final "retract" move a Feed move, at whatever Feedrate you specify in the Retract Feed data entry field.

Thanks for the reply Colin. This is how I will setup this toolpath from now on.

New discovery, I'll probably throw a post on the official forum for this one. If you open the sample file and post the toolpath, the lead in (plunge) move will post with F500 (plunge rate):

Go back to the Mcam file and change the plunge rate to F44. and green check out of the parameters. Even with "Generate Toolpath" checked, changing this feed rate does not cause the toolpath to regenerate. If you post the toolpath again without regenerating, the F44 is used for the z plunge move, but the F500 is still used for the x "plunge" move:

Back in the MC file, regenerate the toolpath and repost and the F500 will disappear:

I'm using a 3D Surface Finish Flowline toolpath. Is there a way to have the lead in/out (direction) use the feed rate instead of the plunge rate? 

A workaround is setting my plunge rate = feed rate. Maybe this is the easiest way to get the desired output?

Please see attached file, MC2023, TIA

Flowline_Leads_Sample_MC2023.mcam

On 3/28/2022 at 7:09 AM, Simon Kausch said:

Is there any documentation about C# Scripting? How do I get startet with this?

On the official Mastercam website under "Communities" there's a "3rd Party Developers" section. This is a good place to start looking around for information.

Is it possible for you to share the file? Even just a sample file with a mock part would be helpful.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "undercut". Can you see the undercut in Mastercam verify?

I'm not sure how step up would benefit here, but I can't clearly see the application either. Here's some reasons step up may be used:

1. you have an existing pocket and want to start at full depth and work your way up angled walls / surfaces

2. you want the tool to use step downs and after milling at each level it will use smaller step ups to rough surfaces closer to finish

I'm sure there's countless reasons to use step ups, those are just off the top of my head.

I could be way off here, but I believe 6684 is the line number in the post file that this error occurred on, I'm not sure what the -1 means. My guess there is a line that is copy / pasted in the variable declarations at the top of the file. Or possibly there was a variable added that has the same name as a pre-existing variable.

I don't do a lot of back chamfering, but I usually do out the math. Create the wire frame circles like you said, and use a 2D contour toolpath. I usually adjust the stock to leave to get what I'm looking for. This seems like a similar approach to what you're currently doing.

If I did back chamfering more often, I think I'd make up a calculator for it in excel. Input the tool dia, chamfer size, offset from shank, the chamfer angle if you want to do more than just 45 degrees, and have the calculator output an x and z shift to machine the chamfer. The calculator output would be input in the stock to leave page.

If there is an easier way to go about this I'd love to hear it, but this is the fastest way I know of.

I believe the reason the home/ref position is not updating is because it is not actually linked to your point geometry. When you select your point Mcam takes the x, y, z position of the selected point, then forgets the point exists. Which means you can move the point and the toolpath will never update. I could be wrong about this.

As for a solution, I think the easiest way around this is "edit common parameters" found here in MC2023: Select all operations you want to change the home/ ref position of > right click on one of the operations > in the drop down hover over "Edit Selected Operations" > Click "Edit Common Parameters..." > halfway down the pop-up window on the right side is a check box for "Home pos" check that box > then use the pop-up window to select the new home position > the ref position box is a little below the "home pos" box and the same procedure applies > green check out of all windows and the home / ref positions will be updated for the selected operations. Hope this helps!

I couldn't agree more, seems like an unnecessary extra click. A way to toggle between the old behavior and the new behavior would be superb.

When I first started programming I was taught to primarily use STL files, but once I found stock models I changed my workflow. STL files have their place and I am seeing myself lean towards them for OptiRough stock. But not having to save and retrieve and keep track of additional files seems to save me a lot of time. Converting a stock model to a mesh is a timesaver as well.

It's almost always wireframe for me. Like you said, as soon as a new model is brought in, it can create a lot of extra work really fast. If I'm trying to get something done quick and dirty, then I'll use the solid.

4 minutes ago, Newbeeee™ said:

Jakey - you're new here. Don't overthink this too much....

I had plenty of enhancement requests that were "looking to be implemented" back in the X5/X7 days, and only a couple made it.

Since then, adding clicks has been the goal - not reducing them!

Aye aye captain

Don't put too much time or thought into enhancement requests because chances are the request will get lost somewhere along the way. Sound about right?

19 minutes ago, Newbeeee™ said:

Yes - I'm suggesting keep the existing way untouched, but in the vacant space of the chain manager, the level of the chain could always be shown.

So for OP's request - the data is there and no more clicks need to happen.

I should have been a bit more clear but wifey shouted "grub's up"

I love the idea. But how would you handle a situation where different wireframe entities in the chain are on separate levels? This seems like really bad practice but it can happen. I suppose just showing the level of the first entity in the chain would work, unless others have a better idea? 

File > Options > Context Menu > Choose Commands from: Selection > select 'Lock in Chain Selection' > click 'Add > >' 

Looks like a pipe thread - Pipe Thread Reference

If you disable (uncheck) "check gap motion for gouge" which is here: Flowline Parameters > Finish Flowline Parameters tab > Gap Settings... > Motion < Gap size, keep tool down > check gap motion for gouge then this small retract goes away.

I'm guessing this has something to do with the tolerances on the gouge check in gap motion vs flowline motion. During gap motion the tool may need slightly more clearance to classify a motion as not a gouge, whereas in the flowline motion the tool wants to be in contact with the part to cut the surface. That's just a guess though.

When I see little motions like that, usually disabling one of the gouge checks fixes it, you just have to manually gouge check which can be dangerous.