Helix in Router

[heeler]

We are looking at getting Mastercam Router.

 

We would like to know what toolpath to use to do holes in aluminum. We want to helix the hole and the do a .005 finish pass while at depth then move off the wall and do a rapid retract. We have tried some and can't seem to get the path to be what we would think we would really like.

 

Thanks in Advance

 

Glenn

[JG]

try contour,change contour type to ramp,add the final pass under multiple passes

 

 

thanks

[heeler]

JG,

 

When I try this, it picks up on the wall. I want to move off the wall some. If I use a Lead out it picks up and reposistions to the start of the contour for the finish. I have keep tool down on the multipass and to lead out only on the last pass. I would think that I should be able to keep the tool down and do the finish and them move off the wall and retract.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

Glenn

[Guest]

try circle mill.

[Jean-Simon]

Hi Glenn, Way to go is Helix bore (toolpath, next menu, circ tlpths, helix bore) is EXACTLY what your asking for. Thats why they call it MASTER...

 

 

Simon

[heeler]

Marc,

 

How do I get it to do a Helix if I use circle mill?

 

Thanks

Glenn

[heeler]

Simon,

 

If I use Helix bore, It will rapid up the wall, or do a helix back out or the hole. I really thought that I should be able to just move off the wall a little and rapid out of the hole to and on to the next one.

 

Thanks

Glenn

[Trevor Bailey]

Try helix mill or the contour with ramp. Either will work. If contour, my favorite, just make sure that you use a lead in/out that will FIT inside your geometry. Also, tell it to keep tool down for final pass. After you get the toolpath, run backplot to make sure that your lead in/out did/does not violate the side walls.

 

Helix mill is pretty self explainitory. Toolpaths-next menu.......

[heeler]

Please keep in mind that we are just trying this, So there might be a setting that I have wrong. So if you know that is works please help me learn what the settings will need to be.

 

Thanks again,

 

Glenn

[PE @ IHS]

The Helix toolpath is designed to work with one specific tool (Felix cutter)

 

If it is a circular shape, try pocket, true spiral method.

[Jean-Simon]

Hi Glenn, check your mail. Hope this is what you need!

 

 

Simon

[Roger Peterson]

This does work, I do it all the time. Circle Mill is the answer. Set roughing to give you your helix. Set multiple passes to 1 roughing pass at whatever stepover you wanted and zero finish passes at zero stepover. This will helix down to full depth, come back to the center(if you have start at center checked) and then make your finish pass at whatever you set your roughing pass stepover to. Works like a charm every time. This is how I mill C-bores.

 

 

HTH

 

I just checked it out real quick and you will need to set your xy clearance to 0 in the roughing dialogue.

 

later,

[heeler]

Simon,

 

I got your file and checked it out. It works real well and does what we want. What it seems like is that if the start of the finish pass is into material then the program will pick up and move to the start, if it is inside then it will just feed over and start(keeping the tool down).

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Roger,

 

When I try this I get an illegal arc move in backplot. So I'm not sure if it will work or not. Any Ideas?

 

Thanks for helping.

 

Glenn

[Roger Peterson]

It sounds like you are using cutter comp set to control and a 180 degree arc sweep. Set your arc sweep to 90, that will give you a lead in line then an arc. Otherwise send me the file and I can look at it and send it back.

 

HTH

[heeler]

Thanks Everyone, We have been getting this to work with setting leadin ect. as I described earlier.

 

Thanks agian for all your help.

 

Glenn