Projected Curve - Contour Toolpath

[JD]

I've encountered a problem with toolpathing a contour of a curve that have been projected onto a 3D surface. For example: if text the text that the student wants to contour into the 3d surface (top portion of a sphere) and the text is created using Horizontal placement - the resulting NC code generates G17,18,19 codes and the resulting change in plane buried the bit into the material on the mill but not in the simulation (ruining a lenghty 3D toolpath to create the sphere in the first place). However, if the text is created using Top or Bottom of arc - no problem - no G17,18,19 codes and the surface is properly contoured?!?!!? Any explanations as to why this occurs?

[mikee]

What machine and control are you using ?

a couple of machine controls have the g18 and sometimes the g19 backwards in how it sees the code.

there is a switch statement to change the posted output.

mikee

[Reece L Gibson]

What Tplane where you in at the time?

[JD]

Using RedCam mill with Ahha controller. Tplane is OFF.

[Reece L Gibson]

I meant in Mastercam when you did the toolpath

[Allan Brown]

It looks as though only G17 plane arcs are supported by the control. The post on this web site for this Ah-ha! control has been updated to linearize G18 and G19 plane arc moves.