Projecting onto a sphere.

[whamac]

Question from a newbie...

 

I understand that even Mill Level 1 will allow me to project a toolpath onto a sphere, but I haven't got it figured out.

 

Any clues?

 

Thanks!

[Scott Bond]

Welcome to the forum whamac

 

If you have to do it today with what you have.

Here is a painful way. (level 1 no solids)

 

Use a ball mill, and offset your surface wall by the radii on your ball mill.

Program what you want to project first.

Then back plot saving the nci as geometry.

Then in Create ,---- project your geometry on the surface.

Now program useing contour 3-d with compensation type off, Then Post it.

 

[ 12-14-2002, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: Scott Bond ]

[whamac]

Thanks Scott.

 

I know, this is what I get for working so late on a Saturday!

 

I'm just engraving a shift pattern onto a 2" stainless steel ball, so I only need lettering, and a couple straight lines.

 

I drew up the pattern, and couldn't figure out how to project it, but I knew there was a way.

 

I'll let you know how it works for me.

 

Thanks again,

 

Doug W.

[Fred from Université de Sherbrooke]

Whamac,

Not sure if it work in level-1 but try this:

toolpath--nextmenu--project. You can project a 2D toolpath on a sphere, cylinder...

You have to do you 2D toolpath first then post the NCI so you can use it in the project toolpath.

[whamac]

No, won't work with level 1.

 

Still struggling...

[cadcam]

whamac you can project the lettering on to the surface and from there in level one do a 3d contour down the center of the line projected.

 

this will work and all fesable in L1.

 

Hop this helps.

[whamac]

Thanks!

 

I'll try it again tonight or tomorrow.

 

I'm still trying to learn the basics of this program and of course, now that I've got something new to learn, I'm swamped with other work, and not finding much time to sit down at the computer.

 

(the trouble with being a one-man operation)

[Roger Peterson]

When doing any of these options you will need to change your compensation from tip to center or you will cut increasingly deeper as the surface becomes steeper.

 

post a file if you have problems,

[whamac]

Thanks! I appreciate all the help.