Surface Finish Flowline

[jcab]

Looking to cut a taper using a flowline toolpath, I cannot get the lines to 'turn into arcs', the surface is split by several line segments and creates a long code and long program. Wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to convert these lines over. Is arc filtering the answer?

 

I can turn the tolerance down to as low as .00015 which shrinks the line segments resulting in a smooth surface and acceptable part, however the program is long size wise and time wise. Any help is appreciated, machining graphite electrodes which cannot have ridges after milling.

[JParis]

You don't have it set to create arcs...Line Arc Filter Settings should be checked..

Though with your tolerance settings I don't think you'll still get arcs...

Try using a 2:1 ration

66.7% Line/Arc Tolerance and 33.3% Cut Tolerance...

 

[jcab]

13 minutes ago, JParis said:

You don't have it set to create arcs...Line Arc Filter Settings should be checked..

Though with your tolerance settings I don't think you'll still get arcs...

Try using a 2:1 ration

66.7% Line/Arc Tolerance and 33.3% Cut Tolerance...

 

I had the line arc filter settings checked, and wasn't able to get an arc made out of it. After changing the tolerances to what you suggested it worked, thank you!

[Brad St.]

multisurf contour toolpath or even just a 2d swept.

[AMCNitro]

Go old school. 

If you need Toll Comp control use 2D contour with taper, and machine the radius separate(either 2D swept or flowline).  IF you don't need Tool Comp, just use 2D swept.

With Flowline, make sure the filters are turned on.  I don't use smoothing tolerance, I just go 50/50 on the Cut Tolerance and Line/Arc Tolerance.  I've been playing with that lately, changing the percentages.  But 50/50 works good.