I sympathise! Have a couple of macros to cheer you up. This is how I keep the cutter down in a pocket.
 
Macros 'pock_in.mcl'  and 'pock_mm.mcl' are inch and metric macros. After creating the pocket roughing as normal group the cutter path created, and remember how many cut levels there are, up to a maximum of ten. Execute either macro and it will add a ramp-in move at the start then a ram-down move between each cut. Only works on a 'simple' pocket, i.e.. a pocket that has only one start position.
 
Macro 'pocket.mcl' (metric only) does more, create your pocket boundary, group the profile, have a roughing step number and a finishing step number in mind, then run the macro. It creates pocket roughing with stock on walls and floor, PUTS CRC on the final roughing pass, with ramp-down moves between passes, then finishes the floor, then the walls.
 
I've also edited my code-generators RAPID sections to avoid cutting too much fresh air. With Profile Top OFF the cutter will always rapid to 5mm above the start of profile then feed down rather than rapid all the way down. (Example below is for Heidenhain).
 
@RAP
//..........RAPID..........
#EVAL(#V7=#ZPOS)
#EVAL(#V8=#V7+5)
#EVAL(#V9=#FEED/2)
< L X#XPOS Y#YPOS R<#DCOMP> F9998 M><#SPNDL>
< L Z#FMT(#V8,D+4.3) F9998 M><#SPNDL>
< L Z#ZPOS F<#FMT(#V9,T4.0)> M>
 
If you draw your rectangular billets using User Elmts - Rectangle (or follow the same order of lines) run 'fixture.mcl' (inch or metric) or 'vice.mcl' (metric).
 
I've obviously got too much time on my hands!
 
Regards,
 
Bill in the UK.
 

 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 11:44 PM
Subject: [mfg-smartcam] switched to mastercam

my company just wanted something more 'current' with imidiate tech support.they installed it the other day and ive been playin around with it for a few days.i go for training mon.they claimed the pocketing was superior and they are able to keep the tool down(always a prob with sc)but from what ive seen it can stay down but it travels over the same cut sometimes several times.there also seems to be a LOT of keystrokes for things i could do quick in sc.
ill let ya know my final thoughts soon

mark

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