mask on arc question

[Kannon]

Im running version 9.1 and I was wondering...

In the Mill version I can select "mask on arc" when selecting same size circles to drill or within a tolerance I give it. Now if I wanted to contour those same holes I just drilled, I wanted to go to contour-last but it tells me no entities selected in last chain. Is there anyway to use the mask on arc for selecting contour operations?

I was showing our wire guy the mask on arc function and many times they do holes and have to select each. I was hoping to have the mask on arc more universal. I realize I could probably have different colors for each size, or throw each size on a different layer, just curious on why with such a neat function, that it isnt in almost all of the toolpath menus?

Or is there a way to add it?

[Rob Dusenbury CAD/CAM CONSULTING]

Mask on arc is used for drill and circle paths only. Try window chain instead.

[DavidB]

If you get all the holes you want on the screen select them by window?

[robk]

I use Alt.E to display the arcs that I want (masking them by dias.). Than use the window option to chain them. I know it's not the answer you're looking for, but it's a nice workaround. Not too many clicks either.

[Kannon]

I must be missing something..

When I do contour window chain I go into chaining options and it dosent say anything about dia. size.

[Flycut]

I've noticed that window has masking for arcs when you transform but not when you chain? why?

[robk]

quote:

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I must be missing something..

When I do contour window chain I go into chaining options and it dosent say anything about dia. size.

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You're not missing anything. You need to have the arcs on the screen first...

[Travis_Buchanan]

There are several ways to group enities. I use colors, levels, and groups. For those of you who have never used groups give it a try. You can create a group, name it then, alt-e that group for tool path selection or whatever. I may have a group called 7/16 boring. When I get ready to do drill toolpaths I alt-e, all, group, then select the 7/16" boring. I have never saw anyone else using groups, I just experimented on my own. Also current system group and result is a very handy group tool.

[Kannon]

Thanks guys,

Many different ways, I was just fond of the mask on arc and didnt know if it was an option throughout other toolpaths. It amazes me with a few suggestions how it alters the way you do things.

Thanks again,

Kannon

[billystein]

sounds like a job for a custom drill cycle, I have one that uses the l9401 feature on fadal. I think it could be altered to make a generic mill bore cycle.

[cblythe3d]

I don't know if it will be any help but I butchered some of Micks and Bulliness VBS code to come up with Lholes.vbs. It places 360 or -360 deg arcs on a named by diameter level and in a named group. Subtracts them from the display list by turning that level off and outputs a level list.

 

For toolpaths select entities - group pick the listed group. Then import operations from library and all toolpaths will use group geometry for cutterpath. Just check feeds, speeds and depths

 

Works great for Drilling, circle mill, pocket etc

It is in a recent post and I would be happy to e-mail with libraries if helpfull.

 

C.B.