wcs with 5 axis tool paths

[Bronson Jasso]

has anyone used wcs for multiaxis toolpaths? i move the model from airplane geometry to where i am going to machine it, but the engineer i work with wants me to use aircraft geo.

will this have problems with 5 axis tool paths?

[Chris Rizzo]

It'll work with wcs if your just using toolplane positioning. If you're full 5 axis paths, move part to top/top/top.

[CJep]

You can use a custom WCS (World Coordinate System) as Chris stated, once you set the custom WCS use custom toolplanes to get your positioning around the part.

 

Some of the toolpaths respond strangely to the custom WCS, for example I've seen the flowline toolpath not work for the custom orientation but moving the part relative to Mcam's TOP WCS causes the toolpath works fine.

 

Running Top /Top /Top is the safest setup.

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

Bronson, your post will have to be modified for even 3+2 toolpaths to work properly. I have seen people scrap parts over the same thing with the same post, and it is in the locked section of your post so inhouse will have to do it.

[gcode]

unless you have Vericut to check the gcode, using WCS's with full 5 axis toolpaths is risky business.

I have done it on simple parts where I could look at the code and tell it was good, but I wouldn't

think of doing it on a complex part.

[Jayson Kramer]

With Gcode on this.Also if you are using a legacey post from say V9 or older it may not work at all as there has been changes to the post structor to help with this.

[Bronson Jasso]

jeremy knows whats up with the post. i thought that was the deal with the post. i better stop the other programmer from posting tool paths(its his first week here)

thanks for the help.

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

Make sure they know that it will not bite them all the time, but it Will bite you. Ask me how I know..., but then again what do I know.

[CJep]

Ask me how I know..., but then again what do I know

 

Is that a riddle?

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

Is that a riddle?

 

We used to work together, and that was an inside joke. Basically, everything I told them they couldn't/shouldn't do, They now want to do.

[cobra95kev]

We use the advanced multi-axis toolpaths all of the time here with some pretty complicated full 5-axis paths in aircraft coordinates. Of course we have vericut too. There are tricks to making it work but it will work. I can't imagine not using the advanced multi-axis paths as they are really good. We don't use mastercam posts here.

 

Kevin C.

[Bronson Jasso]

I DONT WANT TO DO IT. you know how it is. i do as im told.

[Oscar R.]

I'm with majority, no WCS on full 5-axis. I've made positioning programs with WSC and slightly modified post setting and some hand editing on simple parts. But why risk it on complex parts.

 

Basically, everything I told them they couldn't/shouldn't do, They now want to do.

 

I know the feeling.

[Bronson Jasso]

they pull the strings and i do the dance. i was just needing some extra imput(mine is not enough) on WHY not to do it. i think crashing the machine is good enough reason not do it.

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

We use the advanced multi-axis toolpaths all of the time here with some pretty complicated full 5-axis paths in aircraft coordinates. Of course we have vericut too. There are tricks to making it work but it will work. I can't imagine not using the advanced multi-axis paths as they are really good. We don't use mastercam posts here.

 

Kevin C.

 

I did mean to imply that it would not work, but I know their post will need to be modified for it to work. It currently will output incorrect positions with wcs other than top, and I have seen it mess up 3 + 2 tool paths using toolplanes as well. I was not making blanket statements, just this particular companies post.

[CJep]

Basically, everything I told them they couldn't/shouldn't do, They now want to do.

 

No,.... that never happens

[Bronson Jasso]

im outnumberd without the master

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

Sorry Bronson. I had a feeling this was coming when I left. Hopefully Vericut will catch it. They will be there tomorrow for training.

[Bronson Jasso]

i got the email on the vericut. i still dont want to use wcs if it works of not. was just needing some people to say no

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

You are surrounded by "Yes" men now.

[Mick]

IMHO, Vericut is a necessary tool when it comes to multi axis stuff.

 

You're getting Vericut training? I had Vericut training in Irvine in late September. It was well worth it.

[Bronson Jasso]

i know. everyone lost there backbone. they also redirected files in mastercam to keep tabs on us(not mine though)

[Slepydremr]

We use the advanced multi-axis toolpaths all of the time here with some pretty complicated full 5-axis paths in aircraft coordinates. Of course we have vericut too. There are tricks to making it work but it will work. I can't imagine not using the advanced multi-axis paths as they are really good. We don't use mastercam posts here.

 

Kevin C.

 

Similar situation here.

 

We use WCS for all parts, including 5-axis. One of our customers does revisions so often that needing to move the part to the main origin and getting it perfectly aligned every time just to do a quick compare to see what pilot holes they shifted would be a bit of a headache. This customer also creates parts that have very few if any straight edges that one would use to align from.

[Chris Rizzo]

getting it perfectly aligned every time just to do a quick compare

 

I tell people if they do have to move a customer file, always move a copy. For that reason, then you can do a file > change recognition no problem. The imported rev will line up with original. Then if the part had to be re-moved, with xform > dynamic it's usually a breeze. (and verisurf hole axis).

 

But if your wcs 5 axis works, your lucky and I guess it doesn't matter. But for everyone else, there's my two cents worth of tips.

[Jeremy Herron@DBS Solutions™]

+1000000 Chris. :oldforumcheers: