Contour Comp.

[Odell]

I do a lot of contour and surfacing here. I have an issue with 3D contouring that bites me in the A** now and then and I was wandering if someone could help with this. Every great once in a while when I'm using a ball mill to do a 3D contour straight down into a part, MC puts the tool path at the tip of the tool while most of the time it follows the outer edge of the tool which is what I want. 98% of the time (I calculated that) It follows the edge of the tool like it should, but when it follows the tool tip I can't seem to figure out how to fix it so I just keep starting over until it works. Any suggestions?

[Tim Pruett]

I'm assuming that you already know about the place where you select the tool comp to use tip or center. If not, that's what I would try first.

[Odell]

Yea...that aint it. Picture a lazy wavy line and you want to machine to it but not through it using a ball mill. If you select tip the outer edges of your tool will pass through the line. Most always MC will fallow the contour with the edge of the tool. Usually I don't have this problem but when I do I can never get it to go awaywith out starting over from scratch.

[Tim Pruett]

Not really sure how to help then, sorry.

[Odell]

no problem...I just hope someone has a suggestion so I don't have to start this over.

[JDowe]

If it is a 3d contour use xform offset contour in

the Z direction and program the tool to the

center not tip - draw a 3d contour in z and

write a toolpath using tip then backplot

using the front or side view this will

illustrate the problem

[Odell]

I used xform as a work around and it did seem to work o.k. but I am still trying to figure out why this is a problem that just pops up once and awhile. I have used flat end mills to cut arks in Z/X before with no problem and then all at once I cant do it to save my A**.