machiing ellipsoidal mirror

[NatureNut]

I'm trying to use the solids/flowline toolpath to machine an ellipsoidal mirror (for astronomy) out of aluminum. The problem is that the tool isn't following the ellipsoidal surface - instead it's making a pocket with straight sides! Has anyone ever figured out how to do this? Is solids/flowline not the right way to go? Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

p.s. I've ftp'd the file to the upload site. It's called AzTEC_ellipsoid_positive_A.dwg

[cadcam]

Dude were on the FTP I am searching all over and not finding.

What folder?

[NatureNut]

Hey,

I'm trying to upload the file but the ftp site link doesn't appear to be working! Any ideas?

Thanks!

[John Summers]

I can't find the drawing. What folder is it in?

[Jayson Kramer]

email it to me and i will put in a folder.

[email protected]

[NatureNut]

I'm trying to upload it to the main directory, and for some reason it's taking more than forever. Please keep an eye out for it - thanks a lot for your interest in helping!

[Jayson Kramer]

I will be moving it to another folder as all files go in a folder.

So let it finish and i will take care of it from here.as I am sitting in front of the server now.

[NatureNut]

I'm trying to upload it to the main directory, and for some reason it's taking more than forever. Please keep an eye out for it - thanks a lot for your interest in helping!

[Jack Mitchell]

NatureNut,

 

Welcome to the forum. Were looking forward to seeing a cool project concept.

 

Regards, Jack

[NatureNut]

Just curious - has anyone seen my file on the ftp site yet? I keep trying but it's not uploading. Must have something to do with the firewall here. Thanks.

[Chris Rizzo]

Can't find it yet.

 

When it decides to go through, Try and .zip it for faster transfer.

[Lee.]

Naturenut, if thats your real name. LOL

 

Try creating surfaces from your solid, and then try maching those.

 

ie: Toolpaths/ Surface / Finish / Flowline.

 

All / Surfaces

 

and then go from there.

 

I have had this happen to me, and now only machine to surfaces.

 

HTH

[Chris Rizzo]

I just put the file on the FTP under MC9.

AZTEC_ELLIPSOID_POSITIVE_A.zip

 

Looks like there's a bunch of errors in the surfaces (solid, that is)...

 

I'll see if I can play with it tonite....gotta run and fix a plumbing emergency at mom's house now.

[John Summers]

Do you have the ellipsoid formulas? It may be necssary to work directly from formulas. The finished mirror has 4 quadrants, doesn't it?

[Joel Schreiner]

I have cut a couple ellipsoids using formulas. The f-plot chook works great. I usally use 3d-scalop or project blend. The only thing I do not know is how tight to make the grid for the points used to create the surface. Do the number of points afect the accuracy of the surface?

joel