Ok, I just re-read some of the suggestions and realized most of you are suggesting transform toolpath, I was thinking you meant X-form, rotate. My mistake. I did try that, but evidently did something wrong (imagine that) since rather than rotating my toolpath aroung the axis like I wanted, it added it to the top as if I selected top c-plane. Jim

Hi Matt, I must be missing something, because when I choose x-form and rotate, the only thing that rotates is the original geometry and the only toolpath is the original single line I toolpathed. Also assuming I do get it to toolpath all the lines, I don't think it will add the "A" commands I need with toolpathing it in multiaxis will it? Jim

You lost me. When I choose x-form, rotate and rotate my existing geometry (a simple line), the toolpath doesn't rotate, but the geometry does. How can I get the toolpath to go with it? Also, should I toolpath it in multi-axis? As you can imagine, I'm not used to multi-axis work, even though this is fairly simple, I'm having a lot of trouble just making a simple x-axis cut, then indexing the rotary and repeating it 159 more times.

I've got a job that requires cutting slots in a roll, very similar to cutting teeth in a gear on a manual mill. Because the slots need to be "V" shaped, I'll be using the edge of a flat endmill. I've used the powered rotary once before, but this time I need to cut 160 slots on this roll rather than the one slot I cut last time, and when I tried to simply draw a line and toolpath it, then rotate the line (and toolpath) around the axis, the cutter moved to the top of the part in backplot which would cut a keyseat rather than the vee-shaped slot I need. My questions are , first how do I just cut a slot and get the rotary to index the required 2.25 degrees? Second, how do I get the endmill to stay at 45 degrees relative to the axis of the roll rather than do the cutting on top? I'm using V9 and a Haas VF-6 and any help at all would really be appreciated. Thanks! Jim

Ok, it's in the FTP under "Ice Cream Disc". If I uploaded it wrong, please let me know since it's the first time I've done that and as usual I had to kind of bumble my way through it. But that's basically the part, and hopefully you guys can see the problem. I need the slot to start and end off the part. Thanks in advance! Jim

It's pretty much the same as the one as I use at work, but without a post, but close enough for sorting out problems without having to charge the customer. How do I post it?

I don't have the exact file at home, but I could whip up a sample drawing here since I have a student version of 9 on my home computer. How do I post it so you guys can see what I'm up against?

I've already got the part drawn with the helix in place and I've toolpathed it using 5 axis with a 4th axis output, but really don't see any place to keep it from plunging into the part rather than starting off the part. I tried your tip on using the c-hook,and it looks like it might work, but how do you keep the tool pointing towards the center? I'm kind of in over my head with multi-axis toolpathing, and don't know too many of the commands in the menu. I could likely just redraw the helix, making it longer on the ends, but like I said it has to be timed with a slot in the middle and I'd have to go through all kinds of work just to get the helix to start and end where I need it to. Thanks for taking the time to help, I need all I can get. Jim

This one may be tougher to explain than to fix. I'm doing a fairly simple run of parts soon, but my limited knowledge of 4th axis machining is kind of hampering my progress. First off, my part is a simple cylinder with a helical slot cut into it that's timed with an alignment slot in the middle. The helix needs to go one revolution around the outside of the cylinder, it needs to enter and exit (front to back) completely. I can draw and toolpath the part easily enough, but when using verify (I'm using 9.1 BTW) I notice it's plunging into the part and I can't seem to get it to do a lead in/lead out correctly. Anyone have a simple fix for me? Thanks! Jim

CADCAM, I'm about 30 minutes south of Eureka, Ca. This end of the state isn't exactly a hotbed of CNC shops, and I'm the only programmer/operator at our shop, so I have to rely on this forum, my textbooks and creativity to get me out of tight spots. BTW, Medaq, your solution worked like a charm! I do most of my programming while the machine is running and I'll bet I spent 10 hrs trying to get that toolpath projected. I walked in this morning and while the machine was running it's 20 minute warm-up, I used your method to finish my program! I really want to thank you for the help! Thanks to this forum, my boss still doesn't know what a hack I am!

Thank You! I'll give it a try first thing Monday. I appreciate the info!

I didn't know I could project geometry, where is it in the menu? Also, since there's so many intricate lines and arcs (fish scales) I've been toolpathing it by using contour>window and just turning off the cutter comp since I'm using an engraving/chamfering tool.

I'm having trouble projecting a toolpath onto a surface. The part is a fish lure mold (go figure) and I've already created the basic 3D shape of 1/2 of the fish. To add the scales, gills and eyes I need to project the toolpath for that onto my shape, but try as I might, I can't get it work. I'm using V9.1 and have tried using surface>finish>project as well as project onto sphere/cone/cylinder/x-section with absolutely no success. I keep getting various warnings saying that I have conflicting toolpaths, or that the toolpath does not lie in the plane, etc. Any advice at all would be a huge help and greatly appreciated.

Ummmm...what's the FTP? I'm not familiar with some of the terms used here, but I'm trying to soak up as much info as I can, both from this forum and from trying different things in my spare time at work. Thanks for the welcome!

I watched him do part of the geometry. He originally scanned a tracing of the part, then traced it using a create/arc/3 point command to create a smooth curve. The segments are of varying lenghts, wider during the flatter sections and narrower as the arc tightens up. I don't think the segments caused from geometry and are only 1/4 inch long at the widest and smaller as the arc of the part gets smaller. Also, how do I access the filter settings? That seems like it may be the problem, kind of like adjusting the resolution on a digital camera to get a finer picture.

So if I just wanted to machine a filleted edge, for example, I could just pick on that part of the solid and toolpath it without having to cut the whole thing? That would be great for doing rounded edges, I use a 45 degree chamfer tool for doing regular flat chamfers, but there are times when a rounded edge is needed.

I recently ran some parts that our last programmer did and had a bizarre, but minor problem. The parts were headlight trim rings for a '41 Willys coupe that a local hot rod shop is building. The problem is that on the sides, where the curves are very gradual, the curve is actually a series of segmented, straight lines rather than a genuine curve. The sharper radius at the top and bottom look great, and the lines do not show in verify, so I'm sure it has something to do with the way the code is written. The customer was thrilled and is having the parts polished anyway, so the marks will easily come out, but he's having more done in the future and i'd sure like to get rid of the washboard, any ideas?

Part of the problem I'm running into with my particular solid example is that a portion of the part would be done quiker with a flat endmill, while another part needs to be done with a ball. The way I'm trying it now is to turn the solid off, then toolpath a portion of the original geometry, doing it with a flat endmill. Then I wanted to toolpath the convex part of the part (does that make sense?) using a ball and flowline rough/finish to get it done. I'm also confused on the proper use of when the little box that is used as a cursor on the screen. Do I click on it when its a flat, 2D box, or when its a 3D, geometric-view box? Hehehe, I told you guys I was new at this! However, since I've discovered this forum, I'm absolutely amazed at the wealth of help here. Thanks a bunch, everyone!

Thanks, BTW this has GOT to be the freindliest forum I've ever visited. Not only do I get my questions answered quickly, but in a very friendly, non-condescending manner! People like yourself make it much easier to ask questions, and believe me, I've got a ton of them!

So when creating your lettering or numbers to project, do you just enter a positive "Z" value to get it above the curved geometry first?

Thanks, I've already got a multi-leveled solid saved in my files that I was going to toolpath for practice today, but got handed another job today that tied me up all day. Thanks for all the advice, I need all I can get!

Thanks again, guys. Even though I've got a couple years 2D experience, I still don't feel comfortable with solids/surfacing toolpaths. Since that's my weakness, I'm trying to learn during parts runs since I'm also the operator. As far as where I'm at in NorCal, it's about 6hrs north of San Jose, in Scotia, Ca. It's not exactly the hotbed of CNC info, as you might imagine. Jim

Thanks, I'll try that tomorrow at work. Say, Dan I don't suppose that's your GTO in the pic is it? I've got a '68 Mustang fastback spread all over my garage right now. Hope to have it done next spring.

Hi, Guys I just got a great opportunity dropped in my lap, but I need a bit of help. Our programmer recently left, and I was handed the job a few weeks ago. He left me his files and programs, and they run flawlessly, but I'm having trouble with my solids. I can get away with 2D stuff most of the time, but I'm out of my element when it comes to toolpathing solids. When you choose a surface/solid to toolpath, it asks for a drive surface, and check surface. Where do I pick for each? BTW, I'm using MasterCam 9.1, any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!