How would you cut these channels?

[tiredtoolmaker]

Re: X7

      Haas 3 axis

 

I'm at the last operation on this vacuum chuck where I need to cut the channels. Portions of these channels would require more than a 3 axis mill

to machine so I was told not to be concerned about having straight walls where there are negative surfaces.

 

This piece is 18" x 30" so there are many individual surfaces making up the channels so I'm trying to avoid picking each one.

 

There are a lot of channels so I don't like any of the toolpaths I've tried on this piece. The outside channel is for a 1/4" dia O-ring.

The inside grooves that have a 1/16 radius at the bottom are for air evacuation so there is nothing critical about these.

 

Please offer your opinion on machining these features.

[jlw™]

I would rough and 3d the "face" like normal with a 3 axis.  Then I'd nail those grooves with surface fin project.

[gcode]

a lollypop cutter might work

[Mjölnir]

I would rough and 3d the "face" like normal with a 3 axis.  Then I'd nail those grooves with surface fin project.

 

that is exactly how i would do it, too.

[neurosis]

a lollypop cutter might work

 

I was thinking the same thing.  Although it may take a looooong time to finish. 

[mayday]

small world

 

[acutecscott]

surface fin project. made many of these at old shop

[tiredtoolmaker]

Are you saying to create a silhouette boundary of the grooves and use these curves in the surface finish project toolpath?

 

I've always had simple project toolpaths where the tool center travels along the curves without offsetting as in engraving a contoured surface.

[BenK]

A lollipop cutter using parallel to surface would be ideal but I'm guessing you don't have the 5axis add on. Surface finish project is most likely your best bet.

[transparo]

Hi,

 I haven't use MasterCAM in a long time, the company I am currently working for using SurfCAM, on Surfcam I would create a centre line between the radius along the channel for the toolpath to follow use 3D Contour strategy with .005" step down.

 

 

https://postimg.org/image/do7yh7eb9/

[tiredtoolmaker]

I'm drawing a blank on your suggestions. Am I to create a silhouette boundary and project this? Create curves on the groove edges? All I see in surface finish project is where the tool center follows the line

or curve and doesn't offer a way to compensate tool to right or left of curve.

[transparo]

Maybe someone can help me out,  I don't have access to MasterCAM to test out the equivalent creating Line/Arc or spline on Surface. Send me the file and I will create those line/arc geometry in Surfcam and send back to you. 

[BrianP.]

Hi,

 I haven't use MasterCAM in a long time, the company I am currently working for using SurfCAM, on Surfcam I would create a centre line between the radius along the channel for the toolpath to follow use 3D Contour strategy with .005" step down.

 

 

https://postimg.org/image/do7yh7eb9/

 

 

I was thinking 3D contour also. These grooves are only for air to flow through. Nothing fancy needed.

[jaydenn]

I'm drawing a blank on your suggestions. Am I to create a silhouette boundary and project this? Create curves on the groove edges? All I see in surface finish project is where the tool center follows the line

or curve and doesn't offer a way to compensate tool to right or left of curve.

 

You are exactly correct. Surface finish project is really powerful when you need mastercam to do *precisely* what you want, but you need all the geometry created first.

 

However, to my eyes, it looks like the grid is perfectly "perp and parallel" when viewed from the top. It should be real easy to draw and trim up nicely

 

J

[slyym]

I'm drawing a blank on your suggestions. Am I to create a silhouette boundary and project this? Create curves on the groove edges? All I see in surface finish project is where the tool center follows the line

or curve and doesn't offer a way to compensate tool to right or left of curve.

Create the silhouette boundary, make a 2d contour toolpath above the part on that geometry exactly how you want  and then surface project that down. Only post the project op.

[Jayson Kramer]

you should share the file. Can you?

[tiredtoolmaker]

Here's the file...please keep in mind I can't view files later then X7.

CHUCK.Z2G

[slyym]

Here's the file...please keep in mind I can't view files later then X7.

How did you upload that? I made a toolpath for you but when I try to upload it it says its to big! I did a zip-to-go but I cant upload it.

[slyym]

Ok I deleted the solid to get the file size down. Op1 is the 2d contour that is projected by Op2. You don't post op1.

CHUCK.Z2G

[David Colin]

IMHO, to obtain a nicer projected toolpath, it will be needed to create a new compensation surface for projection.

This is easy to make it:

- create a surface from top solid face

- Untrim it

- Offset it to the depth value of channels