Recommended toolpath - Pic Attached

[MIKO ELLO]

What toolpath would you recommend for cutting these outer radius shown. I have tried Scallop but, it takes way  too long. I have a feedrate of 60 IPM but, my machine only goes 25 IPM and varies the speed up and down.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

[crazy^millman]

Flowline would be my 1st choice. Operation for each radius if you have morph between 2 curves that would also be a solid choice.

 

25imp what kind of machine are you running this on? I had an old HBM from WWII I could get 80 imp out of back in the early 90's so you have peaked my interest on why your machine is so slow.

[MIKO ELLO]

I have a Hardinge VMC 600 II w/ a Fanuc oi-mb. I wish that I had some type of look ahead or HS machining option.

[taperlength]

If it has look ahead, using a G8 P1 will turn it on.

[crazy^millman]

Filter filter and filter some more to reduce the code. Use what you got to make it run smoother. That control should have a PCI slot for a card if ti does run it from the card will be much faster if it does not fit in the machine and you are running DNC.

[MIKO ELLO]

The G8P1 still runs the same speed.

 

I have the filter filtered as much as possible already and it still runs slow.

 

I do have a DNC since there is no PCI slot.

 

I will see how far I can push the filtering

[MIKO ELLO]

Is there a way to keep the toolpath from jumping around? 

 

This is the Flowline toolpath

 

 

[Rstewart]

Is there a way to keep the toolpath from jumping around? 

 

This is the Flowline toolpath

 

 

Increase your "gap distance" 

 

You'll have to do some more tinkering to get rid of those funny moves at the bottom of the part.

[crazy^millman]

Is there a way to keep the toolpath from jumping around? 

 

This is the Flowline toolpath

 

Look at your flowlines when changing the direction and make sure they all flow the same direction if not then need to match the same direction within the toolpath. Old school trick is the kick up the gap settings to 10000% and that will keep the tool down. Use follow surface and zig-zag with those setting. Need to go into the filter settings and make sure you have them turned all the way up for get arcs. A sample file so someone can show you on your part would be helpful.

[AMCNitro]

Is there a way to keep the toolpath from jumping around? 

 

This is the Flowline toolpath

You can also try to do one surface at a time.  I know its not ideal, but it works.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

You could create curves on edges and use a Wireframe Swept 3D toolpath.  It's a bit more work for you but will generate the smoothest code.

[AMCNitro]

You could create curves on edges and use a Wireframe Swept 3D toolpath.  It's a bit more work for you but will generate the smoothest code.

Wireframe  toolpath are so underused!  I've been using MC since V4(no not X4, V4, DOS based), and I still use it a lot.

[jaydenn]

For radii like this, I've always found blend to be the best option

You choose the "spiral" cut method and you get super clean n' easy tool motion.

 

 

The way it's done is by projecting the top and bottom edge of the rad to your working plane(for simplicity sake...),offset the contours accordingly, choose the 2 profiles to blend, and choose the entire model as drive.

 

What makes this method superior to others, is that you can increase or decrease how far the tool "rolls" by simply offsetting the contour.

 

Tool goes too deep over the edge??? Just offset the contour and regen.

You want to go an extra .05" overlap on the top face??? just offset the contour and regen.

 

Best of luck.

Jay

[duckdogers]

In situations like that I try to create one surface(usually a swept) if possable then use flowline toolpath

[MIKO ELLO]

Jay,

 

I did something similar last night but, haven't run it yet. I used the HS Hybrid path and put in an offset a couple thou less before it completely rolled off the edge of the part. I will give your method a try if this does not work out.

[Duece06]

Jay,

That looks much  better than what you had before. You should look at some of the "wire frame" toolpaths. 2D sweep is another great one in the right application