4 axis Porting, 4th axis simultaneous?

[Sleeper Designs]

Hey guys trying to do some 4 axis porting in MC x4. I have all the mulitaxis add-ons but I can't seem to get it to do just a simple movement of the 4th simultaneously as it is machining the port. I have to create a million work coordinates to keep indexing the 4th axis and a million opperations to cut the port. I can't seem to get the 5 axis port to work as just a 4 axis funtion at all. So is it possible to get it to move the 4th axis simultaneously? Also I am using an undercutting tool and the port is basically straight walled and only a 20 degree beend which is why I feel I should be a to just do a surface op with 4th axis rotation to it can reach all the way. I can sent an ACIS file if someone wants to play with it.

 

Thanks in advance,

Seth

FLG AND RUNNERS ONE PIECE ACIS.MCX

FLG AND RUNNERS ONE PIECE ACIS.MCX

[Jayson Kramer]

Post your file here.

[?Mark]

Hey guys trying to do some 4 axis porting in MC x4. I have all the mulitaxis add-ons but I can't seem to get it to do just a simple movement of the 4th simultaneously as it is machining the port. I have to create a million work coordinates to keep indexing the 4th axis and a million opperations to cut the port. I can't seem to get the 5 axis port to work as just a 4 axis funtion at all. So is it possible to get it to move the 4th axis simultaneously? Also I am using an undercutting tool and the port is basically straight walled and only a 20 degree beend which is why I feel I should be a to just do a surface op with 4th axis rotation to it can reach all the way. I can sent an ACIS file if someone wants to play with it.

 

Thanks in advance,

Seth

No problem, use 5 axis flow for undercutting this surface with lollipop. Easy and works great.

Program in wcs top!

[Sleeper Designs]

No problem, use 5 axis flow for undercutting this surface with lollipop. Easy and works great.

Program in wcs top!

 

I have tried this but can't seem to get it to work. It lets the tool cut from everywhere and I can't get it to be contained in the port.

 

I tried posting the file but it says I can't post that kind of file (.SAT) This is my first time posting on this forum so any help is appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[Sleeper Designs]

There we go, uploaded it as an MX file.

 

Tool that will finish the port is a 1/2" lollipop 1/4" shank x 4" shank length.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[Sleeper Designs]

So I have got it cut the port now with both 5 axis port and 5 axis flow but it won't stop at the check surfaces and the shank gets into the top of the port. I have no issue flipping the part and cutting the port half from each side but I can't seem to find where I can set max depth in either of those ops? Any help with this?

 

Thanks again,

Seth

[?Mark]

Couple of ways of doing it. Either divide the drive surfaces as needed where you want them (always works well) or create check surfaces that "slices" thru the drive surfaces which gets iffy as you'll need two of them for overlap.

There is no max depth with 5axis flow.

BTW. I don't like regular 5axis porting at all. Port expert on the other hand is a BEAST, but no 4 axis output yet

 

Can you attach the mcx file here to your post? I'll take a look time permitting...

[Sleeper Designs]

Second file posted is the MXC with both 5 Axis Port and 5 Axis Flow. I will try to divide the drive surfaces.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[mkd]

on op3, choosing outside and face of port opening for check surfaces (instead of what should be drive surfs) keeps shank from interfering when it gets deep. But then it only cuts one side of port.

not done yet..

[mkd]

try making a point 1.5 inches above flange.

choose it for your tool axis control "from point"

 

toolpath looks pretty sweet with these two changes.

 

 

i did a sillouette pattern of flange 1.5" above and used that center point

[Sleeper Designs]

I must be doing something wrong... I created a plane to divide the port and still it lets it get into the wall. Changed the check surfaces, changed the boundary, about every setting I could and it still lets the shank hit. The biggest problem is that is doesn't need to have the tool leaned that much at all to make the cuts. Also if I turn on allow undercuts it won't stop at my check surfaces?

 

Thanks for the help.

Seth

[Sleeper Designs]

MKD can I get you to email me the MC file at [email protected] so I can try it?

 

Thanks,

Seth

[mkd]

PM sent

[?Mark]

If it's still unresolved feel free to email me thru this site...

[?Mark]

Hey Seth,

Since you have X4 sending you a file will not do much good. I'm running daily X7, but the attached shots were done in X6.

I added a little lead in/out for smooth transition. The "from point" is about 2" from the top. This is not important though (not an exact science, as it'll be different depending on the bend of the tube), you have to start with something and see if it looks good. Move the point as needed to get desired results.

The whole thing takes about 5 minutes.

Here are the screen shots. In this sample I didn't pick the top "c'bore" as check surfaces, but you can. If this gives you trouble you can pick them as drive surfaces. I noticed with this toolpath that it's better to avoid using check surfaces if possible (results in some inconsistent moves), but you can always pick them as drive to avoid gauging them.

HTH

[Sleeper Designs]

Mark and Mason really appreciate the help. I will see what I can do to upgrade to a newer version as it appears that it must be the limitation. I will keep you guys posted!

 

Seth

[?Mark]

Seth,

This toolpath has never really changed since X4. The fields in the op manager might just look a little different. It should work for you.

 

hth

[Sleeper Designs]

Hey Mark,

You are totally correct! I got it working. I had the "from point" screwed up as it is the first time using that function. Anyways next problem is stopping to tool path at a set depth. I created surfaces that cut through the port at set depths and selected them as check surfaces yet it goes right through them? How do I get it to stop at that depth. When trying to cut finish cutting the port from the other side it even ignores the tool length and lets the holder go all down in the part? The operation is exactly what I want just need to stop the depth.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[Sleeper Designs]

Also Mark I see what you posted above about slipping my drive surfaces is creating check surfaces doesn't work. I will do this as I design the parts as well so I will create two sets of surfaces when I draw it.

 

You guys don't know how much you have helped me!

 

Really appreciate it!!

Seth

[?Mark]

I created surfaces that cut through the port at set depths and selected them as check surfaces yet it goes right through them? How do I get it to stop at that depth.

 

Create surfaces from solid and trim them to where you want the toolpath to stop. Save them on separate levels for clarity

Check surfaces get a little iffy with this toolpath

hth

[Sleeper Designs]

Hey Mark,

Redrew it as two sets of surfaces in the curve and have great results! Can't thank you guys enough. This solves issues I have had on several projects I have on the back burner! One last question, is there any way to do a roughing pass with this? Right now I have it running the 4 OPs just leaving material on the drive surfaces. Looks to work fine but it would be nice to do it in like 2 OPS.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[?Mark]

Hey Mark,

Redrew it as two sets of surfaces in the curve and have great results! Can't thank you guys enough. This solves issues I have had on several projects I have on the back burner! One last question, is there any way to do a roughing pass with this? Right now I have it running the 4 OPs just leaving material on the drive surfaces. Looks to work fine but it would be nice to do it in like 2 OPS.

 

Thanks,

Seth

 

Copy/paste toolpath and leave more stock on the first pass

 

Is this an automotive stuff you're working on? Where are you at?

[Sleeper Designs]

Yea that is what I did, that is why I have 4 ops. I start off leaving .45 and then work my way down and then make a finish pass the the lollipop when only .015" material left. Says 10 minutes per port which I am totally fine with.

 

Yea this is for a billet intake manifold I am coming out with, you can see some pictures of stuff I have done in the past at www.SleeperDesigns.net. But I am really excited to impliment these new machining processes and make the head flange and runners 1 piece.

 

I am in Richmond, VA.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[Sleeper Designs]

Alright guys well I am so close to getting this part done I can taste it. But here is the issue. When I use and of the multiaxis functions the g-code output is screwed up. The y-axis, a-axis, and z-axis code is all right but the z-axis goes way off, like 3 inches the wrong way. It verifies perfectly and makes a perfect tool path in Mcam so I am stumped. I believe it is something in the post but I have changed just about everything and no change.

 

Thanks,

Seth

[Sleeper Designs]

Nevermind, I think I got it. Updated to the latest Mpmaster for x4 post and changed around my machine layout to show the table on the 4 axis and seems to be out putting code that looks useable. BTW Advanced Multiaxis does work in 4 axis out put and the port tool is amazing! So many options including roughing steps!

 

I will post some pictures of the part as soon as they upload from my phone.

 

Thanks,

Seth