Radius'd Edges

[Putzalutz]

Hey all, I am new to the forums, as well M/C. I was thinking ahead about a job that we need to do on a piece of square Alum. (2.25" x 1.125" x 1" thick). I want to put a .25 radius all the way around the top edge, but have no radius tool to do it. How can I mill this?

 

I know, I know, maybe a dumb question, but hey...

[Matthew]

a 1/4" radius cutter is not that expensive, but if you wanted to do it without it would depend on what level of mastercam you have. I have level 1, and to do what you are asking I would use a 2d swept toolpath using a ball nose or bull nose end mill.

[chris m]

Buy a corner-rounding cutter, you'll get a better result than you will with a swept toolpath and it'll be a hell of a lot faster

 

BTW, 2.25 x 1.125 ain't square

[Putzalutz]

Actually, Chris, it is, I just didn't include the other half, because it has a 2.25 radius on it (making it originally square)... =]

[Thad]

quote:

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Buy a corner-rounding cutter, you'll get a better result than you will with a swept toolpath and it'll be a hell of a lot faster

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We typically run a 2D swept at around 150 IPM. I doubt your radius cutter will do it in that kind of time. Not to mention, when the next job comes in, I can cut *any* radius size you want without having to go out and buy another tool to do it.

 

And that's on a Fadal!

 

Thad

[Putzalutz]

Ok, picturing again the 'not' square piece, how can I chain the boundries? (Not square piece is 2.25" x 1.125" x 1" thick)...?

[Thad]

Use Main Menu-Toolpaths-Next Menu-Wireframe-Swept 2D.

 

The across curve will be the radius, and the along curve will be the curves that are tangent (all the way around the part) to the TOP of the radius.

 

BTW, CNC Software, that's where a lead in/out would be nice!

 

Thad

[Matthew]

quote:

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Swept 2D

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quote:

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lead in/out

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I second this!

[kkominiarek]

has lead-in/out been added to (x2 mr2 sp1) 2d swept surface?

 

i'm doing an undercut op and 2d swept seems to work better than surface-contour.

 

lead-in/out sure would be nice.

[Thad]

quote:

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has lead-in/out been added to (x2 mr2 sp1) 2d swept

surface

?

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I'll assume you mean swept toolpath and say no. I highly doubt it will be. The wireframe toolpaths were used prior to machining surfaces. We're lucky that they've been kept in the software. I'd still like to see it though.

 

Thad

[kkominiarek]

yes keep 2d wireframe toolpaths till surface-contour (or other)can handle undercuts.