Helical Spiral

[rdshear]

Is there a surface toolpath that would do a helical spiral at a taper? I have some large work rolls that need the center re-combed on a mill. The large diameter of the center is about 6" tapering down at 60 degrees included to about 2.5". I am using a 2" dia Dapra toroid cutter (.5"dia button insert) to machine it but the transition line between passes is getting frowns. I would like to have the tool stay in the cut with a constant "Z" infeed while spiraling in from the top to the bottom of the taper.

 

Is this possible?

 

Rick

[Hardmill]

Have you tried using flowline ??

 

 

PEACE

[rdshear]

No, I was attempting to make one of the high speed paths work. I haven't played a lot with the surface toolpaths. I just started doing CAM work in April and most of the work here is easily done with 2D toolpaths. So my surface path experience is limited. I'll give 'er a try though.

 

Thanks so much for the help.

 

Rick

[Henk]

Surface finish contour, set the 'spiral limit' > the stepdown

Surface finish Blend

[rdshear]

Thanks Henk, that worked exactly the way I wanted. For some reason the flowline kept crashing (my computer that is) I may have had a setting too small and it lost it's mind??

 

Anyway. Thanks again for all the help. This will definately be one to write in the notes for future reference!

 

Rick

[Henk]

Rick

 

IMO the Blend wil give a smoother toolpath than the Contour-spiral, but you have to set the boundry's correct.

Blend take some more calculation time.