surface finish

[swanny]

I am trying to machine a concave 1/2" radius sphere. I've pretty much tried every toolpath you can to machine this. My verify finish looks choppy, almost like an orange peel. I have machined it in aluminum and am getting the same finish the verify shows. I thought this was graphics related, but now I am thinking it has to be a setting. I have tried filtering and smoothing settings within the toolpath but am getting the same results. I tried just a 2d swept and got the same thing. So my surface isn't the problem. Here is a picture of the scallop verify.

[duckdogers]

can you attach the mc file so we can look at your settings I generally  do things like that with a scallop toolpath with a small stepover

[Reko]

Hard to beat HS Scallop... try a smaller ball em like a 3/16"

 

Like duck said, post up a file, you'll get a lot of good suggestions.

[Mjölnir]

I am trying to machine a concave 1/2" radius sphere. I've pretty much tried every toolpath you can to machine this. My verify finish looks choppy, almost like an orange peel. I have machined it in aluminum and am getting the same finish the verify shows. I thought this was graphics related, but now I am thinking it has to be a setting. I have tried filtering and smoothing settings within the toolpath but am getting the same results. I tried just a 2d swept and got the same thing. So my surface isn't the problem. Here is a picture of the scallop verify.

 

a 2d swept should work great for that. what tool dia, step over and chip load (feed per tooth) did you use in your 2d swept?

[guitar]

Flowline spiral cut.

[MotorCityMinion]

_{SF Blend, spiral.  Select the outer most dia. and a point in the center. Smooth as silk.}

[crazy^millman]

Morph between 2 curves. Outside curve is od and then make a .005 diameter hole in the center.

[swanny]

I really can't attach the mc file. I am using a 3/16 ball .005 stepover. I put my total tolerance at .0005 and have all my filtering and smoothing maxed out. I will try the sf blend, that's about the only thing I haven't tried yet. Usually if I go with a 2D toolpath using arcs and lines my finish is perfect. I am using X8 at a new shop. Not sure if there is a setting I may have missed.

[AMCNitro]

I really can't attach the mc file. I am using a 3/16 ball .005 stepover. I put my total tolerance at .0005 and have all my filtering and smoothing maxed out. I will try the sf blend, that's about the only thing I haven't tried yet. Usually if I go with a 2D toolpath using arcs and lines my finish is perfect. I am using X8 at a new shop. Not sure if there is a setting I may have missed.

Sometimes using the filtering gives you a worse surface finish than not using it.  Did you try Create arcs in XY, XZ and YZ.  Plus oneway filtering.  Iv had mixed results with Smoothing Settings, try turning it off.  Sometimes you gotta play around with the settings.  Which machine are you running it on?

[swanny]

haas

[swanny]

but it shows the finish in the verify

[BenK]

Can you post a picture of your filter settings? It's really hard to help with limited information and without a file.

[AMCNitro]

What Ben said...

[Reko]

Morph between 2 curves. Outside curve is od and then make a .005 diameter hole in the center.

Lol... this really is your favorite path

[swanny]

Can you post a picture of your filter settings? It's really hard to help with limited information and without a file.

ok well im not quite sure how to add an attachment. whats the easiest way

[Rstewart]

More reply options, my media, or add image if you have it hosted online.

[swanny]

ok there is the scallop settings I was using

[swanny]

Im pretty open to trying what ever you think. I will write toolpath and post a picture of the verfy

[Rstewart]

uncheck the smoothing all together.

 

Try a .0002 total tolerance

 

Slider to the Right 75%

[Thee Rickster ™]

Im pretty open to trying what ever you think. I will write toolpath and post a picture of the verfy

 

Verify always looks worse finish then the actual cut finish

 

Your original pic is zoomed in greatly for a 1/2 sphere and you are seeing the cusp's

 

just try a smaller step over, even .001" and total tolerance to .0001" and zoom in on verify again and see what that looks like

[AMCNitro]

One way filtering, use it

[BenK]

Try these settings as a starting point.

[Bob W.]

What is the nature of the surface?  Is it a high quality surface, STEP,  or junk STL?  Haas generally likes filtered toolpaths with arcs so I would use a flowline without spiral.  By adjusting the filter settings you should be able to get 99% arcs and the machine will run smoothly with good results.

[Bob W.]

Does the machine have the high speed machining option?  No toolpath will give good results if it doesn't.

[Gary]

BenK setting is what I run on all my haas. Now run it with only .005-.01 stock left 1/8 or 3/16 ball .003-.004 step over and not a super high feed rate. It is a haas not a makino, just ask Bob. lol