Closed angled wall machining

[Robstar]

Ive had success using T-slot cutters with corner rads, using surface finish contour for finishing a closed angled wall in the past, but for some reason, the part Im working on now wont let me use a broken tool path to enable the entry/exit features.

 

When using follow surface or ramp, the tool path works great. When using broken, and enable the entry/exit features, the tool path just wont work. I pissed around with all different kinds of containment senarios and same thing. It just either says no cut found, or it gives me something completely weird, like only doing parts or a small part of the wall.

 

I would swarf or curve it but this particular setup prohibits me with machine limits on the walls I want to cut.

 

I got it to sorta work fine with follow surface enabled, but for future reference, Id like to know what Im doing wrong so I dont end up smoking walls in retract moves.

 

On a similar note, I noticed that the waterfall tool path in the high speed surface tool paths wont undercut either or is it just me? That tool path seemed to work great except for the fact I noticed in the verify it didnt cut under.

 

 

ftp://[email protected]/Mastercam_forum/MCX_MR2_or Earler_Files/CLOSED_ANGLED_WALLS.MCX

 

 

Thanx in advance

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

I bet it's because the normal way for "Broken" to work is to move X,Y first and Z second if moving down, and Z first and X,Y second if moving up. Apply those same rules to an undercut surface and you'll gouge. Perhaps you could mirror everything about the X/Y plane, generate it as a non-undercut, post it, and then reverse your Z's. Either that or use follow surface or direct and then edit the between moves.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Robstar,

 

Forget using the "entry/exit" features, use the "Reference points" on the Tool parameters page instead. This gives you an "approach" point (position the tool moves to prior to starting the actual cutting) and a "retract" point (final position the tool moves to after the cutting, but before the actual "Retract" in Z).

 

I always use the reference points to get my tools into and out of those pesky undercuts.

 

HTH,

[Robstar]

Thanx so much Colin.

 

Cheers

Rob

[wfcPain]

In gap settings change to distance 5"

Using follow surface.

Keeps tool in cut.

[Robstar]

Thanx to you as well I'll give it a whirl.

[Robstar]

That works sweet! I really NEVER use the gap settings or change anything as I dont really know what they do.

 

THanx for the tip man!

[wfcPain]

Pay special attention to the retract on other areas of the part.

Check transition and retract motion for gouge may be needed to be checked in the gap settings.

 

Using the containment boudaries off the part

the way you have it works well.

 

I can't verify with this model because i get a waterfall effect when using the solid as a stock.

 

[ 08-02-2007, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: wfcPain ]