3D solid fillet toolpath

[Ron]

I have been trying to do a project and have not been able to get the toolpath to do what I want. I have a powercat file uploaded in the just for fun section of the ftp for someone better than I to look at. I am trying to contour the fillets on the powercat with a .125 ballnose bit but I cannot get it to work correctly. The current toolpath I left on there works but it cuts the vertical surface also. I am sure there is a better way to do this than what I have and would appreciate some assistance or advice.

 

ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/Just4Fun/

 

Thanks

[kamman25]

Look under the same folder for powercat solid_joe is this what you are looking for. I used my cut depth limets.

[crazy^millman]

Are you using contaimnent boundaries? Are you using Flowline with check surfaces? Are you using Scallop with Check surfaces and boundaries? Are you using parrelle with boundaries and check surfaces and different angles to cut the surface? Have you tried surface finish countour with boundaries and check surfaces? Just some different ideas and thing you might could try ftp getting has been a pain lately here so maybe someone esle can look at the file just trying to point you in a good direction.

 

HTH

[lynnz]

Ron,

If you are trying to round the upper corners of the part, I would use flowline to do this. It appeared you were using surface finish contour.

You may have to pick out each area separately(fillet), but this method will get you there.

 

lynnz

[lynnz]

Ron,

I put a file with 2 flowline surfaces programmed on the ftp. It's called powercat solid-lz.mc9

 

You will have to create several ops like this to get them all done.

lynnz

[Ron]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Joe, your idea of cut depths was what I was looking for but could not find it.

 

lynnz, do you have to create a seperate op for each section of curve and arc? By the way, Harper is not that far from here! Glad to see another local. Stop by Clearwater if you ever get a chance.

[SLJ]

Ron

You get that thing worked out, send me one, the boss is a big jayhawk fan. I could use some re-inforcement!

[Ron]

I will post it to the ftp site when I am done. With all this help it sure makes the problems easier!

[Ron]

Thanks for all the help. I cut the powercat today. Had to break the program up into two seperate ops to get my fadal to accept it. It was too large and my fadal is too old! Came out looking good though. If anyone wants it, I posted it in the just for fun folder on the ftp site as "powercat".

ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/Just4Fun/

[Lee.]

Ron,

 

How old of a machine is it?

 

I'm running a fanuc 5 drip feeding.

[Tom Szelag]

Don't have mastercam handy right now, but I assume you have a concave down fillet of constant radius? If its around an edge, how bout just making/using a formed cutter and zipping around it? Would save a lot of time and get a great finish.

[Ron]

Lee, it is a '93 fadal 4020 with 10k spindle

 

szelag, I teach at a school therefore I do without alot. The machine was even donated! A radius cutter would be a great option. I also wanted to learn how to do it in solids using a ball nose though. I have other project ideas that will use this method.