Right Angle Head

[Rick McAllister]

Hello All,

I'm looking for tips on right angle head work on large horizontal mills. IE: head definition for backplot/ verification and code output in the proper axis for drill cycles and mill work in full fourth ( axis. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Slixmix]

Sub it out

[Rick McAllister]

Think your shop would like the work?

 

[Tri-Tech]

Hi Rick,

 

We did use Right angle heads many times for vertical Machines. Now we use our programable 5-axis head attachment. web page

 

For the Right angle head,

You have to think and program form the top (XY plane).

You Set your tool center line for your Z offset, and the tool tip/center to X and Y zero.

 

You make your own tool paths with Mastercam.

 

Do you know how to chain your own toolpaths?

 

Ernie

[Slixmix]

Rick, we need to get together for one of these

[Rick McAllister]

Ernie,

I'm not sure what you mean by "chain your own tool path". We will be working from solid models. Will we need geometry other than this?

 

Nick,

How about Shooters tomarrow at 3:30?

[Tri-Tech]

Depending on the geometry of the part,

 

To program a Right angle head, we usually create a normal toolpath then Backplot and save the toolpath as geometry (lines/arcs) , then we add geometry to create the lead In and Out moves that are needed to move the head in and out of the part.

 

After you create the toolpath wireframe then you can do a 3D contour and Chain the pre-made wireframe to make a custom toolpath.

 

If you need to do hole drilling, first see if your machine can do Canned Cycles at right angles? If not, then you will need to make Line segments' so you could Chain them In and back Out as needed.

 

If this sound like a lot of work?

 

Better Sub it out.

 

Ernie

Tri-Tech Precision, Inc

 

[ 10-18-2002, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: Tri-Tech ]

[cadcam]

Rick McAllister take some of what Ernie said but say program it in front view for say.

 

Then actually post out NCI.

Then use EDITCNI in the C-hook dir to swap tool planes from front to top to change the "Y" for the "Z".

 

then post the NCI for the new Gcode.

 

Now for drilling this will need to be done in an incremental. Most machines to not support can cycles in a different plain.

 

this is a quick run down.

 

[ 10-18-2002, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: cadcam ]

[Rick McAllister]

Thanks Jay and Ernie,

 

Our dealer says we will need a custom post to do what we need to. Luckily, a colleague has the expertise to do this inhouse. We're going to see if we can get it going.

Thanks for the tips and tricks.

 

Rick