toolpath for hole pattern

[puzzlemaker]

I'm having a small problem programming toolpath the way I would like it. I have the clearance set at.75 above 1" mdf. I am using a 3/8" upcutting spiral to do the whole operation. I would like it to drill a 3/8" hole right through the 1",and come up to .8750 and do a 3/4"by .125 deep hole.then come up another .8750 and move to next hole.It keeps wanting to come up to the .75 clearance then back down to do .125 recess.This is ok, but I'm just trying to speed up cutting time.By the way I was able to save to library, and get from library,not quite right but getting there.Thanks to those who helped.

[cadcam]

Do you the box that says :Use clreance only at start and end of operation: on or off.

[Jack Mitchell]

Puzzlemaker,

 

Typically we use an initial clearance of 2" for avoiding clamps, etc!

 

The norm also suggests "Z" zero as the highest point on the workpiece.

 

All "z" depths would be considered as negative values; when it is not required to return to intital level of 2" which is most often the case, we use the standard clearance value of .1" to retract and rapid between holes.

 

It's just I sense a little confusion in this area.

 

Regards, Jack

[Brendan P]

Puzzlemaker,

As Jack said,Typically Z0 is the top of your part.

It sounds to me that you just want to drill a 3/8" hole thru,then a .750 dia. counterbore .125 deep.

If this is so,then i would use:

1st. operation- drill

I would set my parameters

"Z" clearance to .100 abs.

"Z" retract to -.125 abs.

top of stock Z0 abs.

Z depth -1.0" abs.

Then I would use a circle toolpath for the c.bore.

 

(toolpathsnext menucirc tlpthscircle mill)

"Z" clearance to (uncheck box)

"Z" retract to (uncheck box)

Feedplane -.125 abs.

top of stock Z0 abs.

Z depth -.125" abs.

 

The posted code would would look like this:

 

 

N1(TOOL 1 OFFSET 1)

( 3/8 FLAT ENDMILL )

(DRILL)

S1426M3

G54G90G0X0.Y0.

G43Z.1H1M8

G98G81Z-1.R-.125F6.33

G80

(CIRCLE MILL)

Z-.125

G1X.1875

G3X-.1875R.1875

X.1875R.1875

G1X0.

G0Z1.M9

G0G28G91Z0.

H00

G28X0Y0

M19

M30

%

I think this is what you are looking for.

[skeetboy25]

don't know if this applies to your problem, but some operations have a "keep tool down" option that delivers what it appears you are looking for.

[cadcam]

I say that Jack & bucket Head are on the right track.

After going back over the reading as I posted real fast with not doing my home work as these gentlemen have.

[puzzlemaker]

Thanks Bucket, or should that be Mr. Bucket lol. I tried all those settings and no matter what I set the clearance to, the bit comes out to that point then comes back down to do the counterbore.If it is possible I would like the bit to stay at the .8750 point to do counterbore before coming to the top.Also I don't have circ.toolpth,so I used contour and my machine only uses 4 gcodes G00,G01,G02,and G03. Codes look like this

G00 X1.3766 Y2.2864 F200

G01 Z-.8750

G01 Z-.8750

G01 Z.8750

G01 Z.8750

G00 X.1982 Y.0924 W-.8750

G02 X-.3965 Y-.1849 I-.1983 J-.0924

G02 X.3965 Y.1849 I.1983 J.0924

G01 Z.8750

This is for the single hole,obviously.

Maybe it is the way my post is set up??

 

I couldn't find the "Keep tool down " feature.

I only have router basic

[cadcam]

puzzlemaker can you share the file or email it to me and I will bring it up in router and have a look at the setting some time on monday?

[puzzlemaker]

Thanks cadcam, I have a file all ready to go, where do I send it?

[McRae]

Either post it to the FTP or use the email address on CADCAM's profile.

[puzzlemaker]

Well I've tried all the different ideas that were suggested but it still wants to come back up to the top before doing the counterbore.the codes look like this.

G00 X3.4033 Y12.6541

G00 Z-.875

G01 Z-.875

G00 Z.875

G00 X.875 (this is the line I don't need)

G00 X.1875 Z-.875( then this line doesn't need Z)

G02 X-.375 Y0. I-.1875 J0.

G02 X.375 Y0. I.1875 J0.

G00 Z.875

This is with a clearance of .750 , cutting into 1" mdf,with a 3/8" bit.If I change the clearance to .100 then it still comes up to that point.

[Brendan P]

Just curious,

did you ever post it on Jay's FTP?

I would like to look at your file.

Then again,you have "router",I dont know

if mill will be able to open it.

 

[ 05-04-2003, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: BUCKET HEAD ]

[BernieT]

Pusslemaker, consider creating geometry for the path you want the center of the cutter to take. A line down to depth, another shorter line back up to ctrbore depth, an arc out to another arc to cut the ctrbore. Now do a 'Contour' toolpath set to 3D. That should do what you want here.

 

Let us know where you are with this.

[puzzlemaker]

Yes I did post to Jay's ftp , and he is working on it. Do you want to see the drawings and codes? I haven't generated codes because it won't do what I want it to.I can do codes but they won't be correct.Do I have 3D capabilities with Router basic?