[pbrey]

Thanks Dan,
I value your input as I have read many of your posts.
I've used WorkNC back in Version 98 and 99 and V17 looks interesting.
PowerMILL seems to be the rave everyone is talking about, but
I'm leaning more towards WorkNC because that's all they do... WorkNC.
Are you running V17? How is the 2 axis for pocketing and holes?
I really don't want to have another package for that.
Also, is .stp included with the V17 basic translator package?
It would be nice to keep the model in a solid instead of .igs.

[Dan B]

Yes, there is a lot of hype about PowerMill these days. For the record, the incident I spoke of was the 3rd time we had taken a look at Powermill, spanning probably 10 years or so, and we keep coming to the conclusion that WorkNC is worth sticking with for what we do. PowerMill has come a long way over the years, and is an impressive software. The way this last incident was handled by the Delcam guys has burned bridges. In other words, there won't be a 4th look at it while I'm CAM manager!

Yes, we are using V17. It is a far superior product than what you have experienced back with version 98 and 99. 2-axis pocketing is superb, and for holes, it has automatic feature recognition. It will automatically drill, ream, tap etc. It's a bit of a pain to set up, but it will be worth it.

V17 has full simultaneous 5-axis capabilities, and something called "Auto-5" which will convert 3-axis toolpaths to 5-axis automatically.

STP is an optional translator that is not included. I'm not sure what the price is on that, as we use IGES from Rhino for our surfaces.

Realistically, the 2 products are both very good. As you probably know, support is very important with CAM software. That in itself makes WorkNC a winner over PowerMill, in my opinion.

Dan

[mchupp]

Hello

Can anyone offer some help to a WorkNC question?

I am stuck using version 15. (small tool shop, little capital)
When creating a concatenated post, I would like the option "Force Rapids to Retract Plane" to be already checked by default.

It currently defaults to unchecked, and is often overlooked.

Where/How can I turn this permanently "on"?

Thanks for any help you can provide

[Dan B]

I don't believe that this is configurable. What you could do is create sequences that have this checked on, and create your toolpaths using the sequence. Even if what you program is drastically different everytime, a few basic sequences should cover most applications, with some changes where required.

I will ask our WorkNC support if he knows how to set this on by default. If I find I am wrong (hopefully I am) I will let you know.

Dan

[Dan B]

Please add this variable to your ENVIRON.CFG file and it will turn this
option on for you;

WNC_MENU_PP_FORCE_RAPIDS=on

Hope this works in V15!! :cheers:

Dan

[I_hate_Fadal]

Please add this variable to your ENVIRON.CFG file and it will turn this
option on for you;

WNC_MENU_PP_FORCE_RAPIDS=on

Hope this works in V15!! :cheers:

Dan

The first shop I worked at had WorkNC, and it was setup so that you could see the stock allowance on the main "menu18" page, to the right of the cutter size. Do you know how to set that up? I think it was added by a code in the configuration section, the section with the crazy code that has the dollar signs and ampersands "$wnc&" haha I hope you know what I'm talking about or else I sound crazy. I was hoping to set that up at the shop I work at now. Thanks for your time.