[kappullen]

We needed a flexible, quick to set up machine for prototyping
repair, and short run production work.

Is this machine it?

By the time you discribe every tool, chuck jaw,
live center etc, you lost an hour minimum.

My boss's boss bought one, and the safety zones drive me crazy.

Can't I just take a bit of responsibilty, and not crash it without all the alarms.

Can you get to the point where anyone in the shop can step up, and run
a quicky job on it?

Am I to be the dedicated button pusher on it?

I've got a prototrak slx in my garage that programs like a dream, just touch the tool off, and go, without that tool setting arm, and all those screens and menu's.

They did provide me with about four hours training, (once they spent two days, by two techs, straightening out parameters) bless them.

Anyone have any short cuts for the mazatrol?

Thanks,

Kap

[Integrexman]

I know what you mean about the Safety Shield on the new Matrix control they can be a hassle and you can still crash the machine. I think Mazatrol is great It is easy to make program changes and the part shape and toolpath check are a great help. You can do 99% of what you need to do in Mazatrol Lathe. There are a few tricks that are not in the programing manual. You also have EIA programing if needed.

If I were you I would save your tooldata with your programs when you finish a job. The next time you do the job you can load the program and tooldata so you won't have to define any tools just set them with the tooleye.

[WayneHill]

You do not need to describe every chuck jaw. Use a generic jaw and change the diameter of the stock size being held. I never bothered with describing the live centers. Set the stock diameter to a large value and let the lathe position above the stock setting and Z start value before going down to the X roughing start diameter.

Leave dedicated tooling in place and only change out tools like tap drills and taps.