Roll die or 5 axis toolpath

[HEAVY METAL]

I would like a opinion on best machining strategy for this part. I was thinking Roll die but not sure if that would work with this type of slot. I do have 5 axis available

Thanks Heavy

[mayday]

either will work, myself ? I rarely use anything but 5 axis for even the simple 2d cuts.

[HEAVY METAL]

Wes

The multiaxis rotary 4 axis is what I've been trying or is there a better 5axis path.

[John Summers]

Rolldie should work fine. You don't even have to model the slot -- just the centerline. And you can do everything in the flat. Ordinary axis substitution performs cutter offset BEFORE axis substitution. Rolldie 'rolls' the data first, then offsets.

[mayday]

most any of them, probably I would use a combo of 5 axis curve to rough and parallel to multiple curves for finish. just gotta play a little until you get path you like. Morph between curves is a fail safe path. just trim the surfaces so you only what needs cutting. I never use the rotary path. Morph does a much better job. Use the spiral setting in any of them to get smooth rotary motion

[mkd]

edit: BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WITH ROLLDIE axis substitution ON THIS PART.

i did a batch of similar parts a few years ago. if you toolpath more than 90° of an arc there is every likelihood verify will be great, but the code will be complete junk from my experience with X4.

so unless they fixed it since, you will need to break arcs/flat patterns into small segments to keep MC from getting all discombobulated on which way to spin.

 

break-up entities and it will be flawless.

Edited June 20, 2013 by mkd

[RayD]

Rolldie if you don't have Multiaxis, if you have multiaxis available use it, Depending on the size of the slot/tool a simple Curve5 Path would work

[HEAVY METAL]

with the 5 axis curve do I use the centerline of my slot as the rail ?

[mkd]

you have the choice of radius value to enter in the field, so centerline or edge will work

[mayday]

a little hint, create a surface shown in red. create an edge curve along each side. use morph between curves and select each edge curve as the 2 chains. use only the center surface as drive. using a ball mill that matches the part fillets you will get a beauty of a toolpath. select roughing and add depth cuts to rough it out. Agian, dont use to many surfs at once, MC gets confused

[Glenn Bouman]

Rolldie does not have Leadin/Leadout options

[Colin Gilchrist]

Rolldie does not have Leadin/Leadout options

 

Yes, I noticed that the lead in/out doesn't work with rolldie. I'll log that as a bug. To get around that, I draw the geometry out flat, and add the lead in/out moves to the geometry, that is the only way I found to get the leads with Rolldie.

[mayday]

why is rolldie still hanging out as a chook? It's always been as all most menu type tool path. old school for sure, I can remember using it way back in the DOS days but with the multi axis paths why bother with it? If your improving it why not put it in the menu

[Colin Gilchrist]

All valid questions Wes. The answers lie far above my pay grade however. So if Rolldie is a useful toolpath to you, please request that we integrate it as an actual toolpath.

 

Thanks,

 

Colin

[mayday]

I dont use it anymore Colin but I will request an increase in your pay scale

[Glenn Bouman]

So if Rolldie is a useful toolpath to you

 

RollDie works great, it is the only method for cutting barrel cams, you do not need to create any surfaces or solids and it can be done in Level1

[HEAVY METAL]

I saved a file to the ftp under the mcx5 folder called curve 5 axis. I'm close but my toolpath bounces around a little when wrapping around curve. I tried the morph tool path but I had trouble getting it to work right.

[HEAVY METAL]

I just attached file below instead of on ftp

CURVE 5 AXIS.MCX-5

[HEAVY METAL]

Ok I got the morph to work except not sure where to adjust the tool retract . Right now the tool is gouging when it retracts back to start . Is there way to keep tool down in groove and go down one side and back up the other side

CURVE 5 AXIS.MCX-5

[mayday]

I'll check it out, are you on a 4 axis or 5 axis machine?

ok I see a 5 axis machine def

[mayday]

take a look a fw things, dont use check and drive together in collision checking, select the next option below to separate them. I usually only use drive. I also set path to zig zag and linking to direct and clearance plane to a cylinder

5 AXIS.MCX-5

[mayday]

forgot this, use margins. a very handy tool to control the tool between the curves

[HEAVY METAL]

Wes

Ok thanks I'll take a look at those things

[mkd]

my mistake on my first post here. the probelm i ran in to was with axis substitution with pocketing and contours, NOT rolldie.
check out level 3 and 9 for how i had to break-up entities (MCx4) as to not confuse MC with rotation direction.

[HEAVY METAL]

Wes

Can I use that same toolpath and output as 4 axis path. That might be where I end up running this .