Arc tangent two entities

[Justin Beebe at Folsom Tool]

This should be an easy one. I have two parrallel lines of the same length, spaced 1 inch apart. I want create arcs tangent to both end points of the parallel lines so as to form a slot with 1 inch diameter arcs at both ends. I cant figure out how to pic the end points of the lines and have mastercam automaitcally calculate the diameter of the arcs, create them tangent to the lines, and trim them all in one shot. I remember being able to do this in version 9. I guess the easiest way to describe what I am trying to do would be similar to the Solidworks Tangent Arc function. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[?Mark]

arc/tangent/1 entity/input diameter/pick 1 entity/pick end point of the same entity/ done

[Justin Beebe at Folsom Tool]

Mark,

 

Thanks for the reply. What I am looking for is a way to do this without the need to input the diameter. I thought there was a way to just pick the endpoints of the lines and have mastercam determine the diameter automatically and trim the arc so it would only be a half circle. Maybe I am getting mastercam and solidworks mixed up.

[gcode]

Use Create/Circle Edge Point

choose the 2 point option and snap to the endpoints of your lines

There is your circle

Hit Trim and the number key "3"

then click line1/line2/ and arc

You're done.

This works fast and easy.. I don't know of a way to do it without trimming"

[Coyote]

You can do it by selecting "create arc endpoints", then clicking on the "tangent" button on the ribbon bar. You then select the first point, then the second point, and finally select one of the lines. The sequence of which points you select makes a difference as to whether the arc is concave or convex.

[edmBosto]

Great 1st post Coyote.

quote:

---

I don't know of a way to do it without trimming"

---

Both ways work great guys. Coyotes way trims it as it's being made.

[Thad]

Nice work, Coyote! Welcome to the forum.

 

quote:

---

The sequence of which points you select makes a difference as to whether the arc is concave or convex.

---

I can't get the arc to go the right way. I *think* I've tried all the different click sequences.

 

Thad

[edmBosto]

I finially got the arc to go the wrong as Thad did.

It makes a difference what side of the line you click on (left vs right)

[cadcam]

this is the order and the thought. for starters it builds the Arc in a counter clock wise direction.

 

Now review picture.

 

[PERRY C]

What seems to make a diffirence for me is after you select the endpoints and when you go to select the line is if your close to the endpoint it makes it convex, If your away from the endpoint closer to the midpoint it's concave.

[Justin Beebe at Folsom Tool]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. That was exactly what I was looking for. It works great.

[cadcam]

Justin did the picture help?

[edmBosto]

The picture made it clearer for me. Thank you for taking the time to being so specific.

[Justin Beebe at Folsom Tool]

Cadcam,

 

 

Yes the picture really helped. Thanks for the great explaination.

[shazam/TPP]

great tip and welcome coyote!

[connormac]

Welcome to the form coyote!