Linking toolpaths

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

 

For this part, I am using thin wall machining techniques. I know that I can select all the pockets and use the depth cut settings so that it will maching every one to my maximum cutter depth, and then again and so on until they are the correct depth. I am stepping down .1 every time. Is there a way to link a pocket and contour so that after all the pockets have been machined to the first depth (.1), the cutter will contour the outside at the same depth. And then just repeat the process again and again until I am at depth? I think it would be like linking the toolpaths together, but not sure. Any body have any ideas??

[Mcam Nut]

Surface rough pocket, set your containment larger than the part.

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

i am not using surface toolpaths for this because it is alot easier to do just using simple contour and pocket toolpaths. I created curves on all the edges and got rid of what i need.

[MLS]

Pick all the chains and 2d toolpath then on depth cuts select finish by depth instead of finish by contour

[Mcam Nut]

The surface rough is easier than a normal pocket in my opinion (1 operation to do the complete part), and it has all the features of standard pocket, but it will finish the outside at the same time

[Mcam Nut]

you can also use solid selection

[MLS]

I might add it is not really necessary to do that in my opinion. I usually melt it down by individual pocket unless the wall thickness is less than .050

 

Rough pocket leaving .100 then 2d contour straight to finish with .070 stepdown on .500 carbide 0 radius.

 

Saves time from hopping around.

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

MLS, we are leaving .1 on the pockets. And finish machining them to .04 thickness using .1 setp down.

 

We have to be careful of how we machine this becuase it cannot warp, and being Al 7050-T7451, that makes it a little more tricky.

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

Oh, and these pockets are only .48 deep, we have to flip the part and do the exact same thing on the to other side. by time we get done, all walls and floors will be .04 thick.

[Mcam Nut]

im sending you a file, take a look at it, and see if this will work. if you only want to mill .48 deep on the profile, just change the max depth

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

thanks mcamnut

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

ill check it out, but my email is all f'ed up

[MLS]

Well...I have cut many parts like this...same material(7050-T7451). Thing is the flanges aren't that tall on your part. If you get adventurous give it a try.

 

I did a part that was 1.5 inches tall and .030 thick. When I cut the outside, everything else was finished and I cut full width .500 E/M .070 stepdown 30000 RPM at 400 IPM(or more). Visually it looked kinda funny because the chip evacuation caused little marks, but the finish felt fine and no warping.

 

You HAVE to use a short LOC solid carbide shank cutter, you HAVE to use a zero-.030 radius to finish down the wall(then clean up only radius with another cutter)...the .030 radius gives you less tool pressure. You HAVE to finish the wall with some material remaining on the floor so the rigidy is not affected.

 

There is a learning curve...heh...don't get me wrong. I claim no responsibility.

[Mcam Nut]

MLS, your right, I have done the same, especally on a part all joined together like this. I guess it kinda depends on the tolerance of the part.

[Namliek_J@TheeCircle™]

MLS,

 

these are just test pieces to determine which type of geometry is easier to cut. i have 5 different models. Once the final say is made, and the designs are accepted, we will make 6 parts that are 28"x16"x3". those will be tested for stregth, and after the final part is determined it will be machined out in a part that is 48"x20"x3"

[MLS]

Sounds pretty cool J.K.

 

If it wasn't proprietary, I'd send you a picture of some expiremental parts we did for an unnamed customer. I really didn't believe it was possible until it ran.

 

Ohh...Shawn...the tolerance for most of our parts is +/- .005 on thickness. Flatness varies, but the parts are usually so flimsy it would take less than 10 lbs to restrain them into tolerance. Generally well within the restraint conditions.