How to create a toolpath for a lollypop

[John+]

Hi All,

 

Need some help? I'm trying to us a lollypop tool (.125 Dia.) to machine a couple thru holes which are two different angle in the same setup. I've tried flowline and contour w/ same resoles. The lollypop will only machine half of the hole; even though there is only the one surface....any ideas?

 

Thanks

J.B.

[MLS]

I am assuming you don't have a 5-axis or 5-axis Mastercam?

 

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is old school... offset the surface half the diameter of the cutter, create flowlines on it and drive the flowline geometry with a contour toolpath.

 

It's been a long time since I did anything like that though...Think I was using MC6

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

If it's an undercut situation, you need to use flowline and turn OFF the gouge-checking to make it go.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Same story with the Surface Finish Contour.

 

You need to turn off the gouge checking to "allow" the toolpath to undercut.

 

Make sure you use the Reference point (retract) at the end of the operation to move the tool into a safe position before the tool retracts.

 

Mastercam will always put a vertical retract in Z at the end of the toolpath, but the reference point will come before this retract move...

 

HTH,

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Oh, and use the "Direction" Checkbox to guide your lead in/out on flowline.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Same for the Surface Finish Contour, you need to use the "direction" button to give you a good lead in/out to the toolpath.

 

I was wrong when I mentioned "Reference Points" earlier. Direction is what you want...

 

Good call James...

[Ployd]

I don't do much with lead in/out since we cut mostly composites. But the other day I was trying to use it with a surface HST and I tried to draw a line off of my containment boundary and select that as my reference for lead in. But it didn't work. Will it show up in backplot? Should I be placing a point and choose that for my lead in position instead?

[Jack Neelands™]

can you post a pic of what your doing so that we can get a better idea....are you working with a 4th axis?

 

If so your planes may not be correct

 

If you are running a 5 axis you may have to use a point over top of the hole to keep the lollypop in position and cut all around the perimeter.

[Brian B 74]

I have used surface finish contour with a lollipop cutter before.

 

Here is the part I cut.

(Link expires 2-5-09)

 

Hope this helps.