Change at Point

[Newbeeee™]

Hi all,

After reading a post in the lathe tricks thread about change at point for a feedrate, I thought I'd give it a go on a VMC.

But...it throws an error saying 'Warning - 3D Contour (w/comp, in computer off) does not output change at point informaition. Changes will be ingnored'.

 

What I wanted to do was to cut a long slot in 1x chain. If it makes sense, Y+, Z-, Y-, Z-, Y+, Z- etc.Sort of zigzag.

I wanted to have the Z- (plunges) set at a low feed, and the Y moves all at high feed. So I thought I'd give change at point a go.

I'm using a size cutter (yeh I know it's not good practice but it's small so the stronger the better!) with comp off, and contour 3D chain (centre line of slot created wireframe).

Am I missing something here?

Thanks

[Richard Thomas - Mastercam UK]

Morning

 

Instead of chaining 3D wireframe, select a single line in the middle of the slot. In the Cut Parameters, set the Contour type to Ramp. Set the Ramp motion to Plunge and set your plunge depth (stepdown). Looks like you can use the Toolpth Editor on a path set up like this.

[Newbeeee™]

Morning Technical Support - hope the weather is as warm 'up your way' as it is here

Thanks for the heads up.

The reason I went for 3D, is there is also a very small X move (0.1mm) at every plunge. So the tool is stepping accross slighty while going down, just to produce a slot slightly wider than the tool itself.

However, I didn't even notice you could set ramp to plunge - must get bigger glasses!

Cheers Rich.