3D Ramp Milling

[WoinsonL]

Hi guys,

 

I am needing to 3d mill a 6 degree angle on a 3 axis cnc milling machine. I have never done this before and have been told I am better doing it bottom of the anlge to the top. Not sute how to tackle it.

 

Any advice would be grateful. I have attached an example of what the part is hope it helps.

 

 

 

[crazy^millman]

3D toolpath with a ball endmill.

[Mr. M]

I would take a look at using the raster toolpath for that. Might need to extend the surface a little on each end.

[jlw™]

the old parallel will be easier to get good results imo.

[Mick]

Flowline. Tried and true.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

There are at least a dozen ways to skin that cat.  Best way depends on the material, hardness, size, finish requirements, tolerance requirements, machine, and cutters available.

[#Rekd™]

If you could post a file somebody will throw some tool paths on it to show you.

[WoinsonL]

Hi Guys,

 

So sorry for the late reply have been busy with assessments for Worldskills UK. 

 

The material is Mild steel. Its an open tolerance of +/- 0.5 degrees for the ramp

 

Here is the link for the file which I placed on my one drive (I have attempted a ramp but not sure if its correct): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8NaxduLlxIQSW1sNUVuNE9VODQ/view?usp=sharing

 

I have the following available for general cutting:

 

• 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm Rippers (Carbide)
• 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm Endmills (Carbide)
• 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm Slotdrills (HHS)

[Newbeeee™]

Another yes for flowline. Create surface from solid onto another level. Turn off your model level so you just have your surface.

Extend your surface by 3/4 of your cutter dia and flowline rough. Finish using flowline. You can play with your settings to get the start and direction you want.

For mild I'd use a bull nose to rough and ball to finish.

10 or 12mm dia to keep the surface speed up.

[Reko]

I can't open the file... it looks like an emcx learning edition file.

 

Parallel, raster, flowline... all good suggestions.

[#Rekd™]

Since you do not have a 3d model created I am not fully sure what you are trying to do. From the looks of your file you created a wcs parallel to the ramp surface you created, this really is not ramp machining. Assuming you are using a 3 axis mill you would have to tilt your part on this angle. Set your wcs, tool plane and construction plane to top. Then create your tool path for the "ramp" using one of the suggested tool paths listed above by Reko.

 

I would first create a solid model, in your drawing you have no way to add check surfaces. If you can send me a pdf or a photo of the part I can create the solid model for you.

 

This is from your file so everybody can see how you have the planes set currently.

 

 

Assuming you are using a 3 axis mill and the part is laying flat this is how the planes should look, this is a "ramp".

 

[Mjölnir]

wireframe -> ruled, the flat angle, cutting with the side of the tool. one way climb cutting on pre hardened and hardened materials, zigzag on most others.

 

flowline the radii.

[WoinsonL]

I don't have time to make models and things in competition. Like I said I was trying myself whilst I was busy and that's the best I could do. Maybe it's because I need to switch the planes back to normal. Not sure if I have done that

[jlw™]

Is this for competition in Gcode programming or using mastercam? If the first I would recommend use of a subrogram or macro and trigonometry. If it's for mastercam, sorry kid the minimum you will have to create is a surface. You could do 2d contour with angle on the depth cuts page but that's not going to be ramp milling.

[#Rekd™]

I have never been in a competition but I would first learn to do things properly then work on my speed. Doing things in a rush usually leads to mistakes.

[WoinsonL]

Basically I have to program and machine a part to drawing with in 4 hours. Program a steel part in 2:30hrs and machine in 4hrs. Program a 3 sided part in 3hrs and machine in 4hrs. It's normally the 3 sided part where you have the ramps on them

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

If it's on a three sided part are they intending that you just contour the ramp it from the side?  If you try to surface it from the top with a flat endmill (no corner radius) you won't get good finish.