CONTOUR

[Matt Alley -- Absolute Precision]

HOW HARD WOULD IT BE TO DEVELOP A CONTOUR TOOLPATH THAT WOULD STEP DOWN IN "Z", AND OUT IN "X" AND "Y" AT THE SAME TIME?

[toolall1]

im not shure do you mean 2d.

if so you can use depth of cut and angle to step out. in 3d you can lead in ,arc on off but the tool picks up every time id like to see a 3-d contour arc on arc off after every decrement and stay down.

[within a thou]

you could also use contour ramp to get all 3 axes working simultanously. just make sure you have a lead in lead out selected or the cutter will mark the contoured face when retracting

[Guest]

Matt,

 

Welcome to the Forum

 

I'm not sure this question belongs in this particular group.

 

concepttool made a good suggestion on the contour ramp, which I like to use without cutter comp or lead-in/lead-out. It will spiral down by angle or depth of cut, good for clearing out material on o-rings and such. If you have to remove more material, helix bore is a good tool for this, available under the circle toolpaths options.

 

I think if you explore the available toolpaths you might find a toolpath to do what you need.

 

If none of those work there is always the option of creating a custom macro to accomplish you task.

 

You'll find much of the help and direction you might need in the main forum.

[Matt Alley -- Absolute Precision]

THANKS FOR THE REPLYS.

IF I USE ANGLE DEPTH OF CUTS IT GOES THE WRONG WAY.(INSIDE INSTEAD OF OUTSIDE). IF I COULD PUT IN A NEGATIVE ANGLE IT WOULD PROBABLY WORK FINE. IM ALSO NOT TO FAMILIER WITH HOW TO CREATE MY OWN CUSTOM MACRO.

[Roger Peterson]

Try the swept 2D toolpath, draw the profile of what you want and it will cut it.

 

 

HTH