Facing toolpath

[Michael Reynolds]

Hi All!

 

I'm trying to do a facing operation on a part that has an open pocket below the face, therefore it has no contiguous chain. Is there a way to do this WITHOUT creating construction lines?

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

Mike R.

[Tony]

Mike, whats a few mouse clicks anyways...

I call up a new level and call it "Dummy lines_ Boundries" It Work's...

[Michael Reynolds]

Thanks for getting back to me, Tony! Ya, I know,

use lines like construction lines in drafting. I was just wondering if there was a way of getting around that.

 

Thanks for your reply!!!

 

Thanks again,

 

Mike R.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

There is a way around creating geometry for facing. Go to job Setup and define stock. Then go to your facing toolpath and click done, the toolpath will use the stock as it's boundary.

 

Is that what you meant???

 

You can actually do quite a bit without actually creating any geometry. You can face, and do all the drilling routines, ummmm I think you can do circle mill as well with no entities.

 

Hope that helps.

[McRae]

Further - How would one elegantly define a facing routine to face a flange but avoid the centre. I had some difficulty doing this (entry/exit was a mess) and ended up using pocket. (Not the proper choice.)

[Michael Reynolds]

James,

 

Thanks! That did the trick! Who'da tought???

But that's a great trick!!

 

Andrew, I've had the same problem when using (trying to use) the facing routine and "moding" bosses. I always end up doing just what you said, using a pocketing routine and call it "facing" in the pull down menu.

 

Again, thanks fer all yer help!!!!!!!!!

 

Mike R.

respectfull mcam instructor/learner

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Freinds,

 

The general rule of thumb for "Facing" is no islands, if you need island support you need to select "Pocket". At the core, the toolpaths are different that is why they are listed different and perform differently.

 

I do agree though that they shoudl be incorporated into the same toolpath if at all possible.

 

JM2C

[TheePres]

Imagine a cross section of honeycomb material with very large openings.. Ive spent many hours drawing drive-lines to face just tops of ribs and avoiding cutting air. If only was a better way.

[McRae]

Suggest the first ZigZag pass than transform tool path X and Y direction Join the ends and chain it.

 

Is this how you do it?