3D wireframe contour toolpath

[Sigurd]

I hope this picture shows what I'm trying to do. I'd like to run a 1/16 ballnose endmill around some 3D wireframe. It appears to be working, but if those surfaces were any more complex, I'd need to drive that with those surfaces and not the wireframe. Is there a way to do this with the surface toolpaths? I'd need it to machine the surfaces, but follow that curve, and take a few multi-passes. Thanks.

3D contour.zip

[Jake L]

Any chance you can upload a file so we can all play with the same thing?

My first thought was unified project with multi pass. I'm sure there's many ways to accomplish this.

[JParis]

Surface Finish Blend would be my first goto....second I would create a flat track surface above the are you are looking to cut Surface Finish Flowline the flat track and then project that tool path down onto the surfaces..

 

[Jake L]

1 minute ago, JParis said:

Surface Finish Blend would be my first goto....second I would create a flat track surface above the are you are looking to cut Surface Finish Flowline the flat track and then project that tool path down onto the surfaces..

 

Both of these are much less complex than my idea. I love this forum

[Sigurd]

1 hour ago, Jake L said:

Any chance you can upload a file so we can all play with the same thing?

My first thought was unified project with multi pass. I'm sure there's many ways to accomplish this.

There's a zip file in my post. 

I don't have multiaxis.

1 hour ago, JParis said:

Surface Finish Blend would be my first goto....second I would create a flat track surface above the are you are looking to cut Surface Finish Flowline the flat track and then project that tool path down onto the surfaces..

 

Will give it a try, thanks.

[Jake L]

4 minutes ago, Sigurd said:

There's a zip file in my post. 

I only see a .jpg in the zip file

[Sigurd]

I can't seem to edit the original post, but here's a new file.

contour test.zip

[Sigurd]

4 hours ago, JParis said:

Surface Finish Blend would be my first goto....second I would create a flat track surface above the are you are looking to cut Surface Finish Flowline the flat track and then project that tool path down onto the surfaces..

 

I'm going to plead ignorance here, but doesn't Blend need two chains? 

By "flat track" are you saying to project the 3D wireframe above the part and then create a flat boundary surface?

[tornero32]

2 hours ago, Sigurd said:

m going to plead ignorance here, but doesn't Blend need two chains?

Not really, but do not change the subject. He already have 3D curve. Transform offset the  3D wire frame by .045" then you have your second Chain.

Blend works fine. I do not have 2021 here I did it on 2024.

[tornero32]

I forgot to mention that you can have stepover or number of passes.