4th axis toolpath question

[BBprecise]

Mornin' all, got a bugger of a problem I can't seem to grasp. I have a 1/2" shaft mounted on a VMC "A" axis with centerlines at Y0. I need to put the corner of an endmill at the centerline of the part and rotate the 4th 90º. I've tried Curve 5axis output as 4 axis movement, 3D Contour with axis substitution but it always wants to put the center of the tool o center of the 4th axis. Is there a way to what I need or am I SOL? The pic is from the left view.

[John Summers]

Program a 90 degree arc on the circumference. It's not clear if there is any axial movement. If there is, you could program a diagonal line in the flat, and use ROLLDIE.

[crazy^millman]

Curve 5 axis would do it, but you would need to tell it 4 axis output and use the lines to control the tool axis. If you tool axis control is center then you lose control of the tool where as if you use line then those lines are going to control where your tool goes. Might even have to think about the toolpath being the center of the path for the chain and use no control, but looking at the picture I have no clue what you are really trying to do.

[Tyler Robertson]

do you have full multi-axis or just curve?

[BBprecise]

I put a zip2go file up on FTP site called junk. The rotary is a full 4th not an indexer. I've messed with swarf, but I can't seem to get it right. Never taken any advanced milling classes so I'm just plowing my way thru.

[Tyler Robertson]

I got the part but I'm not really sure what feature you're cutting and there's no toolpaths in it?

 

In any case you should be able to offset Curve5axis with Radial Offset. if not I could do it with advanced multiaxis most likely, just need to know what feature

[K2csq7]

BB, we need a better picture of what you are trying to accomplish.

Oh, and Good Morning!!!

[JeffreyS]

I have a similar issue with milling a cam on a horizontal full-forth, I have a solid model that is 21.3 in diameter, I use an x-axis substitution and when I chain the geometry and when I watch the backplot the tool bounces off of the edge leaving an uneven machining operation. I know there is a way to smooth this out, yet my reseller or Mastercam has not been able to explain how to achieve a smooth toolpath. I am using the generic 4-axis that came with X7 and our custom post. What check boxes should I use, or should I only use a centerline and compensate both sides?

[John Summers]

Jeffrey, can you put up a part file? If it's a real cam, maybe I can help.

[JeffreyS]

I can, although its not a real cam, I am on my way into the office, and will post ASAP.