Projection issues

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Hey guys, I have a problem that I can't solve, maybe somebody can help me out. I am using Mastercam 9.1 and I do a lot of single point engraving on wheels. To do this, I construct the toolpath using lines, then project the lines onto the wheel profile. The resulting projection is then chained as a 3-D toolpath. The problem that I have is that the resulting projection contains a lot of arcs in numbered planes, which will not chain as a toolpath properly. Is there a way to prevent arcs from being the result of a projection?

[camguy]

Modify, X to nurbs, all arcs. This will change the arcs to splines

[Noel]

I usualy program the engraving flat and project the nci on to the part and that seems to work fairly well.

 

 

Noel

[mayday]

+1 Noel, I've been doing it that way since long time

[Zero]

+2 Noel

+1 MayDay

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am aware of several different ways around this issue, but the problem still remains. It would be nice to prevent this, not work around it. My reasoning is this... If you project geometry, you should be able to set preferences for the result.

[Jayson Kramer]

Wccprogrammer, they are not suggesting a work around this is a better way to do the same thing.

Project the 2d program instead of projecting the geo then progamming as a 3d contour.

 

Now can you share a sample file that has your problem to look at the trouble?

 

You can try ajusting the chaing tollorence.

You can try Ignor depths.

 

Sample PLEASE

[Zero]

also, to get rid of arcs in your nci's make sure your filter is off...thats about the best you can do though, unless you have a switch in your post that will convert all arcs to linear moves. Unfortunately you can filter arcs into toolpaths with MC, but you cant filter them out, something that has been brought up in the past. So if you're not filtering these arcs in, then you'll have to try another toolpathing method/style...

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Just personal preference, but I prefer to do a little more work preparing and have a clean toolpath section. By clean, I mean that all of the toolpaths are to be included when posting. By projecting a 2D toolpath, I have to create a special "Do Not Post" group for the 2D code. This can get complicated if you are doing extensive programming with many different toolpaths. As for a sample, I don't know how to attach a file here...

[Zero]

use the cadcam's ftp link at the top of the page, that will give you access to jay's ftp where you can upload a sample.

 

if you are worried about having to not post certain toolpaths you can ghost them. i'd like to take a look at a sample, i'm not sure by what you mean when you say the arcs wont chain properly...I like to use arcs as opposed to splines as a general rule...

[EX-wccprogrammer]

What does your post do with an arc in Cplane 33... Mine kind of freaks

[mayday]

quote:

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What does your post do with an arc in Cplane 33... Mine kind of freaks

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it will if your post dont support 4 axis, is your T plane set to 33 also?

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Sorry, tried the FTP... My computer does not load.

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Lines are projected in the top plane on a curved surface... The result contains arcs in multiple planes, MC makes arcs wherever it can, regardless of the plane.

[mayday]

quote:

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The result contains arcs in multiple planes,

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I guess Im lost at your problem. think of a sphere. how many C planes can you think of to make on that? toolpath projection takes care of that. let the puter do the work for you. its as easy as putting a sticker on a ball. it just wraps it on from 1 plane. If you cant path it all from 1 plane, then you need 4 axis

[Surface]

quote:

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I have to create a special "Do Not Post" group

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Or you could right click in the operations manager. Under "options" you can choose to turn "posting off" for that operation.

[cadcam]

wccprogrammer, please email me a sample and I will post it on the FTP for all of use to help you.

 

thanks jay

[crazy^millman]

Well I do 5 xa programming and can have upwards f o200 c-planes and my post do just fine. I am thinking that you may have a psot issue here and not the other issue you eplained to being with. Email Jay the file and let us sink our teeth into it. Me well I will have to wait a few days off and didnt bring ym hasp home left it at work but I am sure Jay or soemone else can be os assistance to you.

[Jimmy Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

Millman glad to hear you got some time off.

[BernieT]

wccprogrammer, try 'Screen-nextmenu-Comb views'

 

That is always worth a try when having troubles chaining arcs.

 

HTH

[crazy^millman]

Thnaks Jimmy may have made them mad but I was suppose to have Thursday and Friday off then I worked 17 hours Wedsenday still didnt get it done. I then was going to take Friday and Monday off then I worked 28 hours Thursday thru to Friday and yes that is 45 hous in 2 days of work covering 3 days. Then I go in and see why they have my andozing of the parts and I get well they didnt call back in the last three hours so I dont know. That flew over me not good at all. I am busting my a$$ and get the not worried attutide. I then tell the owner I am going home to get some sleep and he is like will we will see you tuesday mornign right I quickly responded nope problay will not be till Thursday. I also have found that employees in Calforina get double time after 12 so for me that is that works out to about $10 an hour and that is going to have to come to a quick halt. I just wish life were as easy as it should be and hard work was given what it should be I know I complain about it and I feel rightfully so. I know my hard work and dedacation to what I do will pay off just been here done this so many times it gets old to keep seeing it is all.

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Thanks for the feedback, all of you. There were some suggestions to use features that I was unaware of, which was exactly why I posted. I have e-mailed a sample file to cadcam so it can be put on FTP. Just to clarify what the objective is, this is an engraving program for a 3-axis mill. No multi-axis is required. My goal for posting this issue is to illustrate the need for further refinement of MC software. In my opinion, (for what it's worth), the result of a projection should be dependent on the cplane in which the projection is done. For example, if you project something in the top plane, the result should be limited to lines, splines, and arcs in the TOP plane only. If you want a result to contain a variety of planes, the projection should be done in the 3D plane. Any thoughts on this?

[Zero]

quote:

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What does your post do with an arc in Cplane 33... Mine kind of freaks

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Mine posts them as lines because it realizes that it can only do arcs in g17,g18 and g19. Maybe this is a post issue? As soon as jay puts up your file, I'll give it a look-see

 

 

Like I said before, I find that using arcs instead of splines in chaining toolpaths gives better results (espescially when using left or right comp with an offset, if you use splines in this situation your toolpaths will fail to generate more often then not)). So if your post is posting these arcs that lie in wierd planes, and your machine cant handle it, I think it's definately a switch in your post. What post are you using? Is it one from the MC9x CD or a custom post?

[jbel]

You can also turn off posting for any checked operation in the operations manager by pressing 'Alt-P'

[cadcam]

Hi all the file is called WCCPROGRAMMER.MC9 this located in the MC9 folder..

 

Go at I will review mine in a little while..