How to define 0 deg facemill?

[RMagnusson]

I have a 4" 5 insert facemill that I can't seem to define correctly. MC want a taper angle between zero degrees and ninety, but everytime I enter 0 degrees it tells me to check the taper angle. I am using an Ingersoll Aluminator with .410 square inserts.

 

The answer must be insanely simple, I just can't wrap my brain around it Maybe I've just been at work too long...

[gcode]

quote:

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The answer must be insanely simple

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Define it as an endmill

[Colin Gilchrist]

This is a bug of sorts in Mastercam. If you need to see the face mill with the holder modeled correctly (I'm assuming that you want the insert teeth to stick slightly outside of the holder body), then define the face mill as a custom tool. Create a new Mastercam part file, draw half of the profile in the upper right quadrant (one half of the cutter), save the file in your C:mcamX2milltools folder.

 

Now go into your part file, open the tool manager from the toolpaths menu, right click and create a new tool. Select "undefined" and then pick the custom file option.

 

HTH,

[William Grizwald]

The other option I just got today is to define the tool with a .0001" smaller diameter to the corners. Not the elegant but it does work.

 

--

Bill

[3R!< W3NG3R]

can you surface with custom tools? (undefined)

[gcode]

Yes, you can surface with custom tools.

If I'm doing work where holder clearance is an issue I'll make a custom tool that defines the tool, shank and holder.

The gcode is the same and you can see a deminsionally accurate tool and holder in backplot and verify.

[3R!< W3NG3R]

that will be good to know, thanks.

[Michael Sullivan]

I use 89.9 degrees.....close enough for me

[Zoober]

quote:

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If I'm doing work where holder clearance is an issue I'll make a custom tool that defines the tool, shank and holder.

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+1 Gcode.

I've gone as far as modeling the holder and spindle nose into some VERY close clearance 5 axis stuff to see if I will not bump things.

[RMagnusson]

Awesome, thanks guys.

 

I have been thinking about doing that exact same thing on a few tools (custom modeling to check clearance in verify).

 

Good to know its senior-forum-member-approved

[Colin Gilchrist]

Degmc,

 

It goes back and forth. I've gotten it to work for a short time in V9 (SP1 I think?), and it did work for a time in a version of X. Its stopped working for X2 apparently. I would send in a bug report if I used more face mills (hint, hint), but we don't run them on our parts.

 

RMagnusson,

 

How is work going in Mulilteo? I'm up here at Boeing Everett. I hope those Mazaks are treating you well.

 

Thanks,

[RMagnusson]

Colin,

 

Work is good! And the Mazak is nice as well. Having a new, 40 horse horizontal is the best Christmas present I've ever gotten We do our own products at the moment; patented valve covers for LSx Chevy engines. What kind of work do you do for Boeing?