Creating copies of entities around a chain

[chashancock]

I am trying to create points/lines around a closed chain composed of several lines and arcs of various sizes to be uses for 5-axis drilling. My current method is very tedious, I create 1 point and then the line from it at the angle I want, then xform translate point by point around the chain. Some places I get lucky and can use copy from/to with a number of copies, but mostly its one at a time. Is there a way to create copies of the point/line at a set intraval around the entire chain all in one shot? The angle of the line is the same all the way around, leaning out by 10deg.

[Allan]

Create point segment, you can select number of points or a specific distance along an enity.

Then you could drag or trnasfor between points (with copy).

[chashancock]

Create point segment, you can select number of points or a specific distance along an enity.

Then you could drag or trnasfor between points (with copy).

I just tried this....It works ok for creating the point along one entity, but now I have to create the line to with it and then back to copying again......I was hoping for a solution that allows me to select the entire chain, not just one entity in the chain. Any thoughts?

 

p.s. I am on X5.

[ajmer]

what if you create a spline from the chain and then use the spline to make points on

[chashancock]

what if you create a spline from the chain and then use the spline to make points on

Ahh Haa! now we're moving in the right direction! Excellent! Converting to a spline gave me the ability to put x number of points around the entire "chain" in one shot. Love it! Now, how do I get the lines that need to go with the points around in one shot? Xform Translate wants to do a straight line between the from/to locations, it wont follow the spline. Thanks for your help. This hs been driving me nuts. I have several similar but different parts that require 100 - 150 of these points/lines each.

[ajmer]

not sure what you mean, can you post a pic?

[Bruce Caulley]

If you are after lines normal to the chain, try offsetting and then joining the segments. Or use line parallel at point.

 

Bruce

[K2csq7]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what your after can't be done (AFAIK). He is trying to translate along a chain. I tried to get it to work a while back when I had a part with some features that resembled a spiral staircase. (Translate along chain = enhancement request....)

Please correct me if I'm wrong but in my attached pic, he is trying to translate the angled lines and points at a set distance along the chain.(I did it manually in the pic)

[K2csq7]

Chashancock, do you know about "hole axis"?

[chashancock]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what your after can't be done (AFAIK). He is trying to translate along a chain. I tried to get it to work a while back when I had a part with some features that resembled a spiral staircase. (Translate along chain = enhancement request....)

Please correct me if I'm wrong but in my attached pic, he is trying to translate the angled lines and points at a set distance along the chain.(I did it manually in the pic)

Yes, you understand what I am trying to do! Bummer, I was afraid it was not possible. It seems so obvious though, "translate along a chain". Sounds like it should have been around for years.

[chashancock]

Chashancock, do you know about "hole axis"?

I don't think so. I had considered using FBM Drill to automatically give me points and lines....execpt I have no holes. I am running along the edge of of surface to place points.

[K2csq7]

hole axis

 

^^ This is the BEST way to come up with geo for multi ax drilling.

 

BTW it's FREE!!!!

[Allan]

You or anyone doing 5ax work should check out the 5 axis tool kit from moldplus.

 

http://www.moldplus.com/5axiskit.htm

 

Allan

[cam-eleon]

If it's a 2D spline then create a draft surface at 10 deg. Then create an edge curve at the top of the surface. Create equal number of points along the upper and lower spline then 3d lines from each corresponding point. Long way around but maybe it works for now.

[ajmer]

doesn't xform dynamic to exactly what you want

[K2csq7]

ajmer,

Think of a spiral staircase for example, draw the helix then draw the first step (just a simple line) at the bottom. Now try to Xform (any way you want) that first stair a few times up along the helix....there is no way I know of to make that happen.

Or train tracks (keeping it 2D), draw a rail (randomly shaped chain or spline), Xform offset it to make the other rail, then draw 1 of the wood beams that connect the rails. Now try to Xform (any way you want) that "wood beam" along the rails (I don't think its possible). It would work fine if the tracks were just a straight line or a circle but not if your tracks make a right turn then a left turn etc....

[ajmer]

actually Xform dynamic can do that. i made a video but i am having issues uploading. once you have selected the geometry to move try clicking on the head of the arrow, that is dynamic and if you click on the spline it will move along the spline.

sorry for the choppy explanation.

[Hardmill]

You guys really need to try xform-template. Gcode showed it to me a few weeks

back and i use it just about daily. very cool tool

 

 

settings-customize-toolbars-xform-xform template (5th from the right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PEACE

[TheePres]

You can still create your 5-axis drilling toolpath with just the points. Use only points instead of points/lines and use surface as tool axis control. If no surface exists, create a draft surface of your existing spline/geometry.

[K2csq7]

ajmer, I can get the gnome to follow the spline i created (learn something new everyday), but it wont snap to the points i want to drop the geo at???

[Mr. Wizzard]

How the crap do you get it to follow the spline?!!?!?

 

I tried forever yesterday and could not, for the life of me, get the thing to hop onto the spline.

[K2csq7]

Did you click the arrow head? not the leg, the head.

[Mr. Wizzard]

Holy crap! Does this happen to anyone else?

 

Create a simple helix: 1.00" radius, 1.00" pitch, 5.00" tall on origin.

 

Create point segment > select spline > click ^ arrow beside # (for number of points, not points by distance)

 

Click the arrow up a few times and Mastercam closes quicker than a jewelry store when Lindsay Lohan walks up!

[K2csq7]

 

 

Works here went all the way up to 2043...

[Mr. Wizzard]

What the crap? I tried 3 times in a row and it closed Mastercam instantaneously every time. No error, nothing, just gone.

 

If i type a number in, it works fine, but not if i use the arrow.

 

I did just try the x-form template that Hardmill suggested and it seems to work like a charm. However, this is a uniform spline, so I don't think it solves the original problem if the spline is not "uniform".