radius toolpath problem

[stanfield]

having trouble with creating a toolpath for a 24" dish with a 25' radius. everyway I try it it takes 8+ hours, any way to do it quicker and smoother?

the file is in the MC9 folder unde 25ft radius dish, here is the link

 

thanks in advance

 

ftp://www.ppcadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/MC9_files/25FT RADIUS DISH.MC9

[cadcam]

Just so every one know Stanfield link will not work , you will need to log into the FTP

[Mike Whitten CAD/CAM Contractors]

Stanfield,

 

There aren't any cuts in you file? There is nothing to compare to or check for you. How did you do it?

 

What type of material is it? Surface finish requirements and Tolerance?

 

If possible, I believe that the fastest cycle time will be with a simple parallel cut. If you have a decent machine, you can fly on the feedrate.

 

The only ball mill in the program is a 1/4". This is to small as it requires a much smaller stepover. Can you use a 3/4" or at least 1/2" ?

 

Mike

[Lumpnut]

Try: surface / finish / radial with a 3/4 ball if you have one. Adjust the max angle increment for desired finish.

[stanfield]

sorry about the link and the toolpath. I revised the upload and it now has the toolpath suggests by nunu, total run time 16 hours and change. I was thinking of spiraling a pocket but with multipass, starting on the outside at 0 and ending inside at -.330, possible?

 

the file in in the same folder MC9

file name: 25 FT RADIUS.MC9

 

sorry it won't let me copy the link.

thanks,

mike

[Lumpnut]

What material , machine(max rpm/feed) , cutter size are ya using.

 

I backplotted it at 3 1/2 hrs here.

[BernieT]

stanfield, does the spline represent a true 25' radius? If it can be changed to a 25' rad arc a wireframe toolpath can be used and you will get a nice circular toolpath.

 

Again, mat'l and tool you want to use will be helpful.

[stanfield]

bernie,

it will be 3/4" mdf. I run a techno so my speed usually is around 50-60 ipm, rpm 18,000.

 

the curve is needed to use as a mold for a guitar top. the wireframe sounds good but I am unclear about how to do that.

I think the circular path at about 1/8" per pass will be easier on my machine. how do I change it?

 

thanks,

mike

[Mike Whitten CAD/CAM Contractors]

Stanfield,

 

Why must it be a circular pattern? This is much much slower. Also if using a Parallel cut your feed could be 150-300 ipm depending on the machine.

 

IMO, a circular pattern looks cool but if it is not needed, don't waste all that time.

[BernieT]

stanfield, look at 25 ft radius-bt.zip in the MC9 folder.

I used Surf-Finish-Project-Blend-Spiral. Made a circle at the outside of the surface and a .06 circle at the center for boundries

3/4 ball, 18000 rpm, .05 stepover, 90 ipm, about 2 1/4 hrs run time.

 

HTH

[stanfield]

thank bernie,

 

I think that will work! Thanks to everyone for the help!

 

mike