[cncuser1]

I'm trying to get a handle on cutter radius compensation.

My toolpaths are offset from the surface by the cutter radius, not prob.
It is done my mastercam, and the Gcode G40 ( cancel radius compensation) is included in the program.

Except I don't know why.

I'd like to be able to go to the next step and do wear compensation while standing in front of the machine ( I use mach3) BUT I have the G40's inserted and can't choose wear compensation in toolpaths like "Surface Finish Contour"

Anyone havve any ideas?

[cadcam]

Do you know what G40 is? this is cutter comp off you need G41 or G42 being Left and Right cutter comp. Now when doing d surfacing you do not have cutter comp option there are only a few machines that can handle 3d cutter comp.

Cutter comp is for 2d cutting basicly.

[cncuser1]

G40 is automatically inserted in the program header without my doing anything and can only not have it if I change posts.

So only the 2D toolpaths in MX2 will let me do cutter wear compensation while standing at the milling machine, thanks.

[Matt Berube]

Does your CNC machine support cutter comp ?

We have a retrofit cnc attached to a manual mill and it does not support cutter comp in G-code programs. It also does not support canned drill cycles so the post outputs it long-hand...

[cadcam]

it is not mastercam most CNC's do not support 3D cutter comp it is not as simple to do as it do's not just comp left or right.

[Matt Berube]

aww geez. I didn't realize we were talking about surfacing...

[cncuser1]

aww geez. I didn't realize we were talking about surfacing...

Neither did I....

The mastercam toolpaths "surface rough...." and "surface finish...." don't let me choose wear compensation

[JIMMY]

You can not use wear in surface driven tool paths.