4 Axis Seal Groove

[sharles]

I'm familiar with the 5 axis swarf toolpath and use it a lot on our cast aluminum waterjet parts for headliners. But I'm always provided "edge surfaces" that are normal to the surface I'm cutting.

 

Now I need to figure out how to mill a 5 axis seal groove using a dovetail cutter, and I'm not being provided the "edge surfaces" normal to the seal groove. So what toolpath do I use? I've got the geometry (surfaces) for the seal groove. Can I create a curve down the center of that and then use the surfaces and the curve to generate some kind of a live 4/5 axis program? I'll need to rough it out with an endmill first, too.

 

The seal groove itself isn't very complicated. It just rings the perimeter of a rectangular billet. I tried to attach a picture but it was too large.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

Scott

[Festus]

if you making the groove all around a square part can you use curve toolpath and select surface all edges? i find that works better that using geo and using surfaces to drive it. i always use the edge whenever possible on a curve, seems to be much cleaner?

[sharles]

The part is square but the parting line is NOT flat, hence the need for a live 5 axis program.

 

Thanks

[CJep]

You could create some line/arc geom then project it onto the surface to create an upper & lower chain for the swarf.

[cobra95kev]

Could you post a file with some geo?

[sharles]

Where's the ftp link to upload a file? I used to have it, but can't find it anymore.

 

Thanks

[K2csq7]

5th topic from the top

[sharles]

Thanks, Keith. I'm blind,

 

Ok, I think I got the file on the ftp site. Here's the address

 

ftp://[email protected]/Mastercam_forum/X4_Files/

 

I called it SCOTTS_SEAL_GROOVE.MCX

 

I just need to mill the seal groove around the perimeter first with an endmill and then finish it with a dovetail cutter and the tool has to stay normal to the surface.

 

Thanks for any help!

 

Scott

[CJep]

Scott,

I loaded a McamX5 part file up to the FTP with a curve 5axis toolpath:

 

ftp://mastercam-cadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/X5_files/

[sharles]

I can't read mcx5 yet. Can you make me an mcx4 program or tell me the basics of what I need?

 

Thanks!

 

Scott

[sharles]

Scott,

I loaded a McamX5 part file up to the FTP with a curve 5axis toolpath:

 

ftp://mastercam-cadcam.com/Mastercam_forum/X5_files/

 

Thanks! I found the mcx4 file.

 

I appreciate all the help!!!

 

Scott

[sharles]

I thought I had this program licked, and then it went crazy on me and started jumping all over. I even had my designer make me a new bottom surface so that it would be good and clean. I put a new program in this folder on the ftp site ftp://[email protected]/Mastercam_forum/X4_Files/

 

I called the new file SCOTTS SEAL GROOVE_2.MCX

 

If anyone could figure out what I'm doing wrong, I'd REALLY appreciate it. I feel like a slow learner.

 

Thanks!

 

Scott

[JDowe]

Could not make surface contour work on this geometry

Tried verything I could think of - new curves - new geometry etc

 

It did work by offsetting the drive surface - creating an edge curve

on this surface and then using a swarf toolpath with chaining set to sync by entity

[sharles]

How much did you offset the surface? Do I want to keep the offset at a bare minimum? I use the swarf with edge surfaces typically; is it much different using curves?

 

Thanks for the help!!!

 

Scott

[Guest]

I just offset your drive curve up 1" and chained the rails, the used the surface as the projection surface

[JDowe]

depending on the tolerances required - just offsetting the curves in z does not

scale the radii and will give some variation from the intended part

but offsetting the surfaces scales the curvature in the z direction

if offsetting the curve keep the offset to a minimum

[sharles]

Thanks for everyone's help. I'll take a look at your file, JP.

 

Scott