Surface finish with a surprise ending

[Luke.Hicks430]

Hello Friends,

 

I have a Surface Finish Flowline toolpath that has an ending I don't like.

After the surface has been cut the tool retracts moves feeds in then cuts straight into my part.

I have attached a picture that shows my two drive surfaces and the toolpath.

The part I'm trying to get rid of is the backwards "Z"

 

Anyone have an idea on how to get rid of it?

 

Thank you,

drawing.pdf

[Patriot]

if you turn your lead in/out off it will get rid of that. it is caused by the lead in/out direction you have set. Or just use the vector direction so everytime the tool comes off the part, if goes in the same direction.

 

You could also change your check stock and add the entire area around the part. That may help as well.

 

There are a few other methods or surfacing toolpaths you could try before the last resort-

 

Save toolpath as geometry in backplot, modify lines not wanted, run a contour toolpath on what's left

[Guest]

You might using your direction properly, you can control that move

 

[Colin Gilchrist]

Since you are already using "Direction", add 180 degrees to whatever your XY angle is set to for the retract move.

[Luke.Hicks430]

So I messed around with the cut directions and there is still a rogue ending to my toolpath. 

The best I could do was changing the retract length of the lead out to 0 which changed the "Z" to a straight line.

 

I uploaded a video of the toolpath here

[Guest]

Why don't you share the file instead?

 

It'll make getting an answer easier.....if you can't share the file, delete everything BUT the surface

[Luke.Hicks430]

Okay here is a link to the cropped down file:

http://1drv.ms/1FfOB6L

[Guest]

X6.....i'M OUT  

[Guest]

See the kink in the flowline?

 

 

 

 

You are either going to have to remake the surface causing the issue or just use a Surface Finish Blend path.......basically, your underlying surface, as is, will not be any good for a flowline.

 

A bit deeper of an explanation.....

 

The Flowline tool path is designed to follow the UV vectors of a surface.....every surface/face has underlying UV vectors......when these are twisted the tool path will attempt to follow the twist.....that is what you are seeing in your path.......

[Luke.Hicks430]

Okay,

 

Thank you JParis,

 

I was wondering if that was the issue, there is a definite break in between those surfaces.

I got a contour surface finish to work pretty well for me so I think I will try that out.

 

I'm going to take down the videos and break the links for security.

 

Many thanks,