I built a plugin for UGS that allows you to upload your step file and gcode and probe specific edges and features to reorient your model and determine XY origin. It also changes the GCODE axis in case your model is slightly off rotation.

Is this useful for anyone? I feel like UGS is super outdated.

Trying to make a tool generating dxf file with parameters and image only.

Posted on here a little bit ago about difficulty getting a career in the field started, just got off the phone with someone from Aegis worldwide, seemed to be very interested in me and I liked everything he was telling me, seems like the job would be some traveling to go and troubleshoot / repair machines especially CNC’s. From everything I’ve found online place seems great and legit and just wanna make sure I’m not jumping into a sharks mouth here. Any info would be appreciated

For those running CNC machine shops or handling quoting, I'm curious how you typically approach quoting a new job.

Do you usually start from scratch by estimating material costs, machining time, setups, etc., or do you look at similar jobs you've completed in the past to get a more accurate estimate?

Also, how useful is your past job history when quoting something new?

Mazak Nexus 510C with a Matrix Nexus controller.

Been an off and on problem. Been using it most of the day. It just probed a part and was about to switch to an end mill when it turned off and illegal MMS alarm.

I am running single surface touches with my renishaw spindle probe. I am using p9811 to do single surface touches. sometimes when i do z touches, it gives me the alarm listed in the title after the first touch of the 2 touch cycle. I have tried cleaning all of the glass, changing batteries, putting kroil in the base of the probe, it does not feel sticky, and I tried running it with the lights off. It seems to be pretty random, doesnt matter where I touch in z but it seems to be every 10 touches or so and it seems to be getting worse. Has anyone had this and solved the problem?

Boss says we have to do it this way, its how we have always done it.

Hi All, I am trying to mill the highlighted face below without cutting into the sides of the rest of the model, but Fusion 360 CAM is drawing a toolpath through the side walls. I'm using the 2D Offset Roughing function. I selected the face for the "pocket selection". The same thing happened when I turned off the lead-in and lead-out. When I shrink the maximum stepover, it preserves that overall cutting path and just makes more passes, so that's not it. I'm using a 1/16" dia end mill, and managed to complete the entire design except for this feature. Tried Adaptive roughing as well, same thing.

I heard the saw blades dove in quality years ago but had hope for the CNC tools. I broke two in 6 hours at the same settings I use for a Vortex, and it was a 3/8 compression end mill. Are they really that shitty, or is it possible it's a bad batch of carbide or something? I'm blown away by how bad my experience was with their tools.

During tool change, machine stopped. Tool stuck in the holder. Cannot move the Axis to get the head out of the way to clear the error.

Need your help!

I'm still learning, but I've asked my boss if the skirt can be lowered and just looks at me like I'm stupid.

...I have a 3D printer, I read that it is literally a CNC machine.

Which software should I download FreeCAD or fusion360 for this? Where do I even start and how can a printer help me with this? I really want to learn this and come to work in Canada, I heard that citizens with this specialty are welcome in Canada. But first, of course, I need to learn this and get a job in my country.

I also have a computer with 5060 and 32ddr4, is this enough for CNC?

I'm a complete beginner, only a couple of times I made a drawings of home and parts in "Compass3D"

Starting new thing where i'll have to run an LNC m2200 controlled flatbed machine (5'x10', 20 tool ATC, 9kW spindle, vacuum table with 3 centrifugal pumps, fixed auto tool setter), software used is AutoCAD for geometry and VCarve Pro for toolpathing. Mostly for cabinet making, mdf/ply cutting. Will have to get into molding and some carving, but that is for later.

Any specific advice for interoperability between AutoCAD and VCarve in this specific scenario ? Anyone use this combo sound out.

I'm not a complete noob when it comes to this as i ran an old Morbidelli 430s with Autocad/Genio and xilog, but that was a completely different beast altogether. Ancient 20 year old software would do my head in, manual tool measuring with height gauge, broken/disabled pad positioning system, etc.

I'm thinking nesting in vcarve with regards to grain direction (veneered mdf or finished ply), automatic tool assignment to geometry by using layers and machining templates, etc, etc, etc.

I will be developing some sort of system/method for tooling and toolpathing to automate the process as much as i can, but i'm sure there are more experienced people out there with this software combo.

Any suggestions, tips, tricks, relevant videos etc are very welcome. I'm an absolute noob in vcarve, but have tons of exp in autocad.

Thanks.

I just replaced it like a month and a half ago, but we had some repairs so it sat stagnant in the shop all week.

Obviously led to some growth, now it smells like somebody took a shit in the coolant tank.

This would normally mean I'd dump the tank and clean tf out of it, but the coolant I'm running is expensive, and I'm paying out of pocket after just spending $9k on repairs.

Having never ran gray sewage on 6-4, how bad of an idea is it for another week until I can move some parts and replace the coolant?

Hello I’m new here I work for a company where I operate CNC machines using CAD. I went to school to learn machining I got the hang of manual machines but doing the programming was hard for me. I didn’t learn much and now that I’m working I have to. I do small tweaks in the program and the zero set I can do the basics like changing tools, moving it + or - x y z a, and change the speeds. I want to learn more I know I will learn more as I go but I won’t learn what I want from just operating the machine. the company doesn’t care if we know how to do the programing so if we have problems we just ask one of the engineers. I can’t learn how to make my own programs like that and they don’t have any way to teach the programming. Because all of the programmers don’t have a set standard and it gets confusing if they’re not here to help . I don’t want to learn to keep the machine running instead of fixing the problem. Is there any website or anything I can learn with to become a better machinist.