Re: Direction of finish pass
It sounds like you've got your material cantitevered out into empty space. This, as you've noticed, is not conducive to smooth cutting. I'd suggest supporting the far end and clamping it down (or if it's on the fourth axis, providing a tailstock with a center point which fits into a hole on the end) to eliminate vibration. It shouldn't matter much which way it cuts first.
Re: Direction of finish pass
Yes you are correct it is way out there in relation to the thickness and flex of the material and usually i have it well supported with material and this time is also the same but the problem now arises with the fact that the thing I am cutting is so thin that even supported all around it that the part its self is flexing . I am basically cutting a life size spider , thus the legs are thin . And even supported they flex .
If I could have it cut towards the vice then the material always has support from the cutting along the leg from the cutter tip to the vice.
5 axis machines do not have support for the end of the work piece thus they must also work towards the vice ..... and this is 5 axis software so one would assume it could be done in madcam, or at least I would hope so.
Thanks
Gregore
Re: Direction of finish pass
The direction is controlled by the active coordinate system. madCAM has 3 different kinds of coordinate systems. For 3-axis, it's the Rhino world coordinates. In 4-axis mode, it's a revolved coordinate system created from the the axis of revolution. The 5-axis coordinate system is created from a drive surface where the X and Y is the same as the parametric directions U an V of the drive surface.
1) For changing the direction in 4-axis, just reverse the direction of the selected axis of revolution. Make sure that the axis of revolution is pointing towards the vice.
2) In simultaneous 5-axis, you can reverse the U or V direction of the drive surface in Rhino.
Regards,
Joakim
Re: Direction of finish pass
Thanks joakim
I think I understand what you are referring to in the drive surface but I am unsure how that would effect which direction it starts from and moves towards ... but I will play with it and see .
Fourth axis explanation I do not understand at all and same with 3 axis
Re: Direction of finish pass
So I did some experiments with drive surfaces even though it seems like I can change the direction of the u&v it seems to make no difference in the start position for the planar finish passes , they still start on the left and move to the right
The model is too complicated to change its surfaces
Any other suggestions? Or examples of how to do it as I might still be doing it wrong
Re: Direction of finish pass
Joakim , I have tried a few different things and nothing works can you be more specific about how to get this to work?
Thanks
Gregore
Re: Direction of finish pass
I have made a video about this at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPS7fYY8tt0
Please let me know if you still are having trouble. If you like, you are also welcome to send your part to madCAM and I will have a look.
/ Joakim
Re: Direction of finish pass
Thanks
That’s got it working now, this is going to come in so handy being able to do it with a drive surface ..... I will be able to cut much finer stuff with this