Surface Rough Contour - How to Choose Side?

[Bill H]

I'm just starting to use the Surface Rough Contour toolpath and can't figure out how to tell MC on which side of the surface I want to cut.  Can anyone help me out?

[Müřlıń®]

Change the surface normal.

[Bill H]

Sorry, I wasn't clear about what I'm working with.  The surface I'm working with is a loft generated from two closed contours and it looks kind of like a funnel with the narrow end facing up.  I'm trying to machine just the exterior of the funnel, but the toolpath generated by MC machines both the interior and the exterior.  How do I prevent this?  Thanks.

[Bill H]

How do I change surface normal?  

[Müřlıń®]

Bill,  

4 minutes ago, Bill H said:

Sorry, I wasn't clear about what I'm working with.  The surface I'm working with is a loft generated from two closed contours and it looks kind of like a funnel with the narrow end facing up.  I'm trying to machine just the exterior of the funnel, but the toolpath generated by MC machines both the interior and the exterior.  How do I prevent this?  Thanks.

plug off the hole in the top to keep tool from going inside.

[Müřlıń®]

4 minutes ago, Bill H said:

How do I change surface normal?  

I would have to know what version of Mastercam.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Hi Bill,

The best way to control the Surface Finish and Surface Rough Contour paths, is by using a Containment Boundary. This is (typically) a chain above the part. This chain will represent the "centerline" of where the tool spindle is allowed to cut.

After you create and chain the boundary for the path, you have the option of selecting Inside, Center, or Outside, for containment options. For cutting the inside of a funnel, you'll want either 'inside' or 'center'.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Oh, reverse that. You want the 'outside' option...

[Bill H]

Murlin - I'm using MC 2017.  I tried creating another surface to close the top of the funnel, but this made no difference. 

Colin - I tried the containment boundary, but MC ignores it and continues to cut on both side so the funnel surface. 

[Müřlıń®]

Surface normal controls are on the surface ribbon bar.

[Mgrenier]

Like Murlin said,

Create a surface at the top of the funnel and add this surface to your toolpath either as a drive or a check surface.  That should do the trick.

HTH