Milling - Helical Slot

[Kendo]

I haven't been able to get 3D contour to output arcs on this cut, you can see the 3 straight segments it created in the toolpath view

Creating the 2d wireframe was a lot of work, seems like there's gotta be a better way...

but I have to program extra length because the larger slot this "rat tail" intersects is diecast into the raw material and will vary

The tool is a .031" x 20 degree runner cutter from Harvey, so the path I need is centerline w/ no comp

The helical geometry I chained was a true arc, no spline

[crazy^millman]

Flowline Pencil will be your best bet or project toolpath. 3D Contour doesn't take the tangential intersection of the tool as it come int contact with the surface into account and surface toolpaths do.

[JParis]

That's something I would project the centerline up over the part, toolpath is with a 2D contour, then project that contour down

 

[Kendo]

Projecting 2D onto the surface won't give me the extension, I'd have to... create a surface, then extend that, then project onto?

I tried a quick project path and it still gives me straight moves, and no extension

The selected line is what I "projected", but the extra length gets eliminated

[JParis]

1 minute ago, Kendo said:

I'd have to... create a surface, then extend that, then project onto?

Yes or perhaps in this case you can set a depth limit

[Kendo]

Sheesh... whats... going on... here

[#Rekd™]

If you post a Mastercam file it will be easier for someone to help you.

 

[Kendo]

Here's the file, and thanks for taking a look...

I manually generated the helical arc I need, this is what I tried to contour in my OP

Still don't really understand why that didn't work and only output straight lines

SLOT NEWest.mcam

[Grievous]

SLOT-NEWest-new.mcam

[Kendo]

Thanks, but... It's a little confusing

The contour and  finish project tool paths both spit out a ton of straight line moves

And I have no idea what you tried to do differently than what I've talked about above

[JParis]

It's a swept kind of surface, you're not going to get a single line move

 

 

OLD_BEAR_SLOT NEWest.mcam

[Grievous]

You will be able to do that kind of movement on a controller like Sinumerik, but mastercam won't be able to handle that type of movement. If you close that arc you will see that it is inclined in space.

[Kendo]

OK I get that

so...

No way to get G2/G3 helical move from mastercam?

The 3d contour seemed simple enough but nope, all straight lines.. I could adjust for the tangential error mentioned above

I get arc moves when I did a simple 2D contour so I guess It's not my control def settings

 

[Kendo]

Thanks for the additional info...

I have no prob writing helical G2/G3 XYZ IJK for fanuc... that's what Im currently cutting this feature with.

For me, This was just a learning exercise for the mastercam side

kinda disappointing though, as you say... mastercam isn't capable