I have a program that does an x-moxe and a z-move at the same time, and when I try to kick up the feed to a respectable level (80-100ipm) I get jerky, slow movements, as if the controller can't process the info fast enough. If I slow everything down a bit, it smooths out. BTW, I'm using MC 9.1 and a Haas VF6. It also seems to do this same thing when I'm pocketing larger holes. Any tips? Thanks, Jim

LOL! Check your CAPS lock settings! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Actually I meant bolting alignment keys to the rotary itself. The keyways are already cut and holes drilled and tapped in the bottom of the rotary itself. I figure if the nice people at Haas think it's ok, who am I to think otherwise? Yet, I'm still hesitant to do it for some reason.

I have a question concerning offsets as well. The last programmer/operator was adamant about not keying anything like vises or rotarys because he felt it damaged the table. With our vises, it's no big deal to dial it in every time, but it's a giant pain to dial in the rotary every time I use it. I don't leave it in because it won't clear a toolchange with a long tool, but I was wondering if bolting alignment keys to the rotary is accepted practice elsewhere. BTW, it's a Haas VF6 with an HRT 310 roatry. Jim

Transform toolpath worked great. It did exactly what I wanted to do with the part. The funny thing is, I've used it in the past, but didn't think of it in this application. Once again the people on this forum have made my life easier!

Thanks guys! I had some spare time today and was trying to duplicate a part I'd seen our previous programmer/operater make a few years ago. It also had holes drilled and tapped in each of the flats and now I know that's how he did that as well. I can't wait to get to work and try again, I know it'll work now. Thank You! Jim

I was fooling around trying different things on V9 to learn how to use the rotary better and ran into yet another problem. My hypothetical part has 6 individual flats on it, but unlike a regular hex, where the sides touch, these flats do not. I can't seem to toolpath my program to face the flats by simply indexing the rotary 60 degrees. Any tips? Also, why is it when I attempt to use mulitiaxis-4 axis rotary to toolpath it, it only gives me ball mills for tools? I know I can substitute a flat mill, but I also suspect I'm once again trying to use the wrong method of toolpathing.

I just wanted to let you guys know I cut the part today and thanks to you guys it went great. I basically just re-did the whole thing using the Johns' (Paris and Summers) advice. The roll was only 33" but I was using 36" so it would start off the part, but by using the unroll/axis substitution I was able to make a more accurate drawing. One problem I did come across was the tool was centered in the Y axis and wasn't cutting on the edge but rather the center of the tool, so the tool was essentially plunging the whole time, which caused all kinds of chatter and flex. To fix it, I offset the tool .3125" in the Y so it was cutting on the front edge, as it would be on flat plate. Things went MUCH better after that, and I even increased my depth of cut, making a faster job of it. I'm not sure what you guys do, but that was my fix. Thanks again for all your help everyone!

Thanks guys! I had a chance this morning to look at the files everyone sent and it looks like John Paris' solution is what I was trying to do, but ran out of brain before I got it done. But I learned something from all of the samples, so thanks again! Jim

Heh, from my vantage point you guys are all pros! I barely know enough to fool my boss into thinking I have half a clue.

You kinda lost me. How do I "unroll" the geometry, and what is axis substitution? Sorry if I sound a little (Ok, a lot) dense, but I'm not all that swift at multi-axis parts. I only use the rotary about 3 times per year, so my skills are lacking in 3D parts. I'll try to work on it in the morning and see if I can put your info to use, it's a little tough to visualize now, but maybe if I start working on it, I'll be able to see what you mean. Thank you!, Jim

Thanks a bunch guys, I've emailed it to both John Summers and John Paris, hopefully they'll forward it to Kannon or get me out of the rut I'm in. Either way, thanks for all the quick responses! Jim

I just rechecked my mail and it shows I sent it to you at: [email protected] Is that not right, or was the file not attached?

Kannon, I emailed it to you,thanks. John, I'm not familiar with ROLLDIE.DLL, and I'll try anything that will work, but I've never had any trouble cutting helix's before using the same method I'm trying now. But then again, I've never cut them on a long roll. What confuses me is that both the Y and the Z are moving during the cut. The Y is only moving about .008" but as I said the Z is plunging .170" when it should be holding steady. I'm sure I'm overlooking something. Jim

I've got a problem with a simple (I thought) program that has just given me fits. I'm making a spiral roll, which is nothing more than an 8" diameter roll, 33" long with (you guessed it) spirals cut in it. I'm using V9 and a Fanuc post and my Z depth should be constant while the rotary turns and the table travels in the x-axis. But no matter what I try, the tool is dropping .170" during the 33" long roll. Before I beat my head against the wall any longer, I was hoping someone could help me out. I could post it on the FTP, but I'm not sure how. Thanks in advance! Jim

Thanks guys, I'll try your suggestions and if I don't have any luck, I'll try posting it. Jim

I'm using V9.1 and did a fishing lure mold for a buddy, shaped like...well, a fish. Anyway, I did the surface of the thing in segments and when I did a quick test part on some scrap, you could see where each segment was. I've tried a few times to blend these segments together, but without luck. Any tips? Jim

You, Good Sir, are the man! My post is now full of "A" commands! I've been doing short-run parts (about 3 min per part) and trying to sort out that program in between, so you can imagine how my train of thought is! Thanks, I owe you big time! Jim

John, I just emailed it to you, Thanks!

Hi John, I did a quick file search and found one "A" in the post in the very last line of code. The line is G28 Y0. A0. so I know the post at least is posting the A, but I still don't know why it doesn't index the rotary after each cut is complete.

I'll check, but I've used it before on rotary operations with no problem.

Ok, I got side-tracked with some other work the last couple days and just got back tho this job. I got the intitial geometry drawn and toolpathed, then transformed it,just like magic it worked. I ran it in backplot to check the time and everything looked ok, but when I posted it I checked and couldn't find any "A" in the post to index my rotary. According to the post it looks like it's going to simply cut the groove 160 times without indexing it the 2.25 degrees I need. Where did I go wrong? I toolpathed it using a contour, was that the problem? What should I use? I've used this post (a modified Fanuc post) before without problems with the rotary so I'm pretty sure I'm the problem. Any ideas? Jim

First off, let me qualify my remarks by stating I'm no wizard, but I have a TapMatic head and haven't used it in well over a year. I always drill my holes for a 60% thread rather than the traditional 75%, then rigid tap (I always use 200 rpm for tapping) and can't remember the last time I broke a tap, and that includes pipe taps. Is there a reason I should use my tapping head?

The only thing I have a clue about is that A: this forum is chock full of knowledgable and extremely helpful people and B: I think those same people may have kept my boss from finding out what a hack I am yet again!, Jim

Thanks, Peter At this point I'm open to anything. Jim