Vector Length in Surfacing Toolpaths

[McRae]

Does this vector length matter or is it only a representation of tool position. The default 1" creates a mess on the screen.

[Rich Taft from CNC Software]

It matters, because that is what gets output to the NCI file. Your post uses these vectors to calculate the angles. If the vector is too small you will loose some accuracy.

 

You might want to try turning off the toolpath on the backplot menu and just show the tool.

 

[ 12-04-2002, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Rich Taft from CNC Software ]

[McRae]

Suggestions appreciated, defaults resumed.

 

One point of interest is how length of the vector is related to the accuracy of the toolpath? Essentially, a Delta/Magnitude will equal 10Delta/10Magnitude Yes?

 

Dave, does this matter to your Integrex post?

[Allan Brown]

Like Rich said, it affects the data passed to the post via the NCI file. May lose accuracy as the tool vector is decreased below 1 unit - a 'unit vector' is used in the post.

 

I posted out a sample file with a 1" vector, then the same file with a .25" vector. Angular moves were affected by +/-.001 deg in 1/6 or less of the file.

[McRae]

Thanks,

 

Will set at "Unit Vector".

[Kenneth Potter]

I,m Just curious

 

What tool path option are you guys talking about?

 

I used the vector lenght option in the surface parallel tool path & in the lathe. I didnt notice

change in the accuracy .

 

Just curious

 

.

[Christian Raebild]

The tool vector is used in Lathe C axis, 4 axis Mill/Lathe and 5 axis Mill/Lathe toolpaths.

 

In other toolpaths, it is the number of decimals in the NCI file that determines the accuracy, through the contruction plane / tool plane matrices.

 

The number of decimals in the NCI file also affects the accuracy of the tool vectors, of course.

 

I hope this answers your question.

[Jack Mitchell]

Wow!

 

Regards, Jack

[Kenneth Potter]

Oic...

 

Thanks for the information.....thats very useful

[McRae]

Cut Tol - is this the value that controls the density of the vectors? What is this a representation of. A RTFM response with a footnote indicating page numbers would be acceptable.

[ProductDevelopmentGuy]

By the way, in V9.1 you'll be able to control the length of the tool axis vector on the fly for backplot purposes only.

PDG