Surface machining

[Joels]

Hello, I need some help. I uploaded a file in the MX4 file folder on the FTP site called sm03.mcx. I am using X4. I need to program machining out the surfaces in the part. I have tried everything i can think of and it just doesnt work. Can someone please down load the file and let me know how to machine the surfaces in the middle of the part? I am going to load the part in a regular vice and use a ball endmill to machine it.

 

Thank You

[MotorCityMinion]

I took a peek. Just guessing here but it looks like your slot radius exceeds 180. DEG. This can not be machined correctly in the orientation that you have the part at with out using a cutter capable of under cutting.

 

Sine vise and 2d contour it.

[Colin Gilchrist]

I emailed Joel and mentioned that. He said the undercut part could be eliminated and just have straight vertical walls.

 

I recommended a Surface High Speed Rest Roughing toolpath, Semi-finish leaving .01 stock with Flowline - .08 step over, and Finish with Flowline - using a .015 step over.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Hey Joel,

 

Would you mind posting the example I sent you to the FTP site? The example I did used a .500 Lolipop from Harvey Tool to finish the Undercut surface.

 

I created the part as a solid. When it came time to do the undercut area, I used the "Split Surface" command to split the surface into two pieces so I could create separate toolpaths to machine each side. I also used the "Direction" parameter to give me "Lead In/Out" moves to get my tool to the undercut area. If you don't use the "Direction" button, you end up having to cheat in other ways to get the tool into and out of the cut...

[Joels]

Sure i will put the files in the x4 folder. I could not get the program to run here, kept saying cad file not found. I am now trying to straighten the surfaces so i can use a regular ball end mill not a lolipop. I am not having too much luck fixing the surfaces.

[Colin Gilchrist]

The "Rest Roughing" Toolpath requires a CAD file, which is an STL file of your stock. I included that file in the email I sent. You need to go into the Geometry selection dialog box for that Operation, press the remove button (anti-sign) next to CAD file, then press the CAD file button. Now browse to the location of that STL file.

 

Then it will regenerate that operation. I like the Rest Rough style toolpaths because you can eliminate making Air Cuts.

[Joels]

Colin,

thank you for your help. Is there a way to select the surface you want to machine and have the cutter go across it with out the extra work? almost like a facing routine? is that overhang going to cause a lot of problems?

[MotorCityMinion]

Overhang, or extending surfaces, is a common practice for tweaking a tool path. It is also used to keep the cutter from going where you don't want it to be.