Creating a custom cutter in X

[mike561h]

I have a double angle cutter. 60 degrees included angle. Picture a woodruff cutter with a angle. Running it the CNC mill. Can anyone tell me how to create a custom cutter and save it and run a verify with it.

 

Thanks,

[Tony35]

draw the radius profile of the tool(do not draw a line on zero to connect the profiles leave it open) on a new level or MCX file

 

select a woodruff cutter and on the bottom of the tool definition page you will see 3 options for the custom tool / auto / custom file / custom level /select what you need and you should see the profile in the view area

 

HTH

[mike561h]

The tool looks good. The backplot shows the tool not riding down the geometry. The tool is away from the part. the shading from the backplot does run down the middle of the groove.

[mike561h]

I ran a test and it cuts correctly WEIRD!!!

 

 

Probably BUG in X

[MotorCityMinion]

Help files state that custom tools will not show the correct cutter path . So it may be better to just use a emill or slotmill definition with the correct dia. to define the tool and proof read your g-code.

[Dan@home]

All my custom tool paths look great. I have not seen this.

[gcode]

Draw a half profile of your custom tool to actual size.

It can be on a level in your file or a stand alone mcx file.

Create a new tool.. choose "undefined" as the type. Set the level number or navigate to the

defining mcx file.

The outline of your new tool will apear in the window.

On the parameters page set the diameter.

If the tool has a corner radius be sure to set it

in the corner radius field.

Use the tool as you normally would

It will backplot, verify and post properly.

[mike561h]

I did all that. My tool is drawn correctly.

[Guest]

Have you defined it as an "Undefined" tool or as a certain type.

 

Undefined works best when creating custom tools

[gcode]

Make sure the Z origin of your defining geometry

is at Mastercam's X0 Y0 Z0

[Trevor Bailey]

mike...did the file i sent you help?

[mike561h]

I am still trying to figure it out.

I am going to run 1 the way I have it.

It should work. I will get with you on the file you sent me. I need to have about 3 hours of training on other things also. Email me whne is a good day. My boss okayed it.

[CAM CRAZY]

This was a useful link for me, thanks guys

[compressor sam]

Mike, a good percentage of my milling tools are "custom", if you look at the help files you are instructed to only have arcs or lines, and have it as undefined, you also need to define the dia correctly for it to visually verify.

I use these tools for rough profiling screw compressors, and have found no problems with the profile/shape they produce ( i rough the profile to around .5/.6mm from finished), and have found no problem with the shape produced.

I verify and save the STL file and use this to compare against a designed shape

 

 

[Guest]

Posted 10 April 2009 - 05:16 AM

 

hehe, I wonder if he ever got it figure out

[compressor sam]

doh ! feel sooo much like homer

[Berlec76]

Draw a half profile of your custom tool to actual size.

It can be on a level in your file or a stand alone mcx file.

Create a new tool.. choose "undefined" as the type. Set the level number or navigate to the

defining mcx file.

The outline of your new tool will apear in the window.

On the parameters page set the diameter.

If the tool has a corner radius be sure to set it

in the corner radius field.

Use the tool as you normally would

It will backplot, verify and post properly.

 

 

I also use custom tools to cut inside and outside threads in mould forms (closures, caps, shoulders...)

I have an additional question:

 

The cetters are always shown in backplot but NOT always in verify.

So I can not always compare stl with the actual form of thread.

Whay is that. I draw the profile in the separate mcx file, on x0.y0.z0

 

questions:

do you draw a centerline of the tool?

do you connect the bottom of the cutter with x0.y0.z0?

do you save the file in the same folder with toolpath or in mcamx/mill/tools...?

do you draw a cutter in the samo file on a different layer?