pocketing lead-in/lead-out

[doyleg]

All of a sudden my pocketing operation will not start its finishing pass at the midpoint of a chain. It is starting at the end and gouging the part. Anyone else have this happen? And how can I fix it?

[spade117]

Do you have the box checked that supports that feature?

[doyleg]

There is no box for that feature. The pocketing op is supposed to do it automatically. I have never had this happen before and I've been using MC for 5+ years.

[ToolMan184]

Look in your lead in and lead out options. There is a check box at the top to start in middle.

[spade117]

You don't have *start finish pass at closest entity* checked do you?

[doyleg]

no it's not.

Toolman, in the pocketing op there isn't an option for midpoint. It does it automatically. At least it's supposed too.

[doyleg]

I've even tried rechaining the pocket from a dif start point to no avail

[Midwest]

Works fine here.

 

How about some screen shots or put on the FTP???

 

 

[doyleg]

I would but don't know how. I know you guys have shown how before but I have never got around to trying it.

About the prob, I also made sure that it wasn't a polyline. It is an arc. But I've done dozens, if not hundreds of these types of pockets before with no prob.

[doyleg]

I just tried on another part and it works fine. I haven't a clue as to why it won't work on this part. Chain is good also.

[Guest]

Can you share your file up on the FTP?

[doyleg]

Well it has something to do with the "optimize cutter comp in control". It works good without it checked but starts in the corner and gouges part with it. Go figure. Like I said, I have never seen this happen before.

[doyleg]

Midwest and John, I'll try. I need to find out how first. I'll do a search and hope to have it up in a little while.

[doyleg]

It is under MCX2_Files/pocketing leadin leadout. I have already changed the comp to computer. Try it with "control" comp and "optimize" checked on and you will see what I mean. You will have to change the amount of lead-in/lead-out to at least .300 or it will also gouge part with initial plunge.

[Guest]

OK, so what are you trying to get? I have it starting at the center of the larger wall.

[doyleg]

I was trying to use control comp and optimize. It would start in the corner for finishing pass and gouge the wall going in and coming off. It wouldn't start in the middle of that leg with those parameters set.

[Guest]

remove the optimize and it works.

 

I steer all of our customers away from control because IMHO, you are destroying the ability of the "CAM" system. That's an argument for a different time however.

 

Here's what I did, I broke the large radius at it midpoint and shifted the start point to that point.

 

This is a function of the geometry shape I believe.

[doyleg]

Thanks John. I'm so busy now I forgot to look outside the box and change the geometry. Haven't been at the computer programming in over 2 weeks. (promotion ) Last shop foreman had things so screwed up you didn't know where anything was except for the CNC dept. Don't have the title yet but I am in charge of all aspects of shop now. Should have title soon.