Hello,
Was hoping someone could help me out with modifiying my post processor to output helical arcs in a separate format than regular arcs. I've looked thru my post and expected to find a section that might be just for helical output but so far no luck. It might be under my nose and just overlooking it. I know most machine controllers will just use the same format as a regular arc (G2, G3 X Y Z IJK) and just put a z value in. My controller (Bridgeport DX32) will "work" in this fashion but causes problems as, according to the manual, am supposed to use a G13 or G12 rather than G3 or G2 (but only for helical).
I've been using it in standard "fanuc" format but at the bottom of the helix it will drop about 10-15 thou and make a loud bang. Very hard on cutters, the part, and probably not great on the machine.
According to a former BP engineer, there was a glitch in the control software that caused this and was never fixed.
I've attached my post processor.
Thanks,
Nate