I want to make a few AR-15 lower receivers for personal use out of 6061 T6 billet. I've got the .igs file and can import it into FeatureCAM fine, set the stock dimensions fine, etc., but when I try to use feature recognition, it tells me that it won't be able to machine the part because my company didn't opt for the mill3D option....we only have turn, turn/mill and mill2.5D. There's GOT to be a way that I can machine this part, but I'm so new to CAM software that I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can anyone here lend me a hand?
I can also send the .igs file to anyone with enough time to help me. This will be machined on an older Toyoda FH45 horizontal with a FANUC11 controller and a 5K RPM spindle. When the FeatureCAM guys were there working on my post, they machined one of their demos to make sure that everything works....their "bottle mold." It looks like I could use whatever programming they used for this part, but I can't seem to figure it out.
For what it's worth, here was my plan:
drill all holes first
6" flycutter to face to a depth of .010 away from the finished face:
.750 3FL carbide e.m. to rough the outline and profile
.500 4FL carbide ball e.m. to rough the contour/profile of the face
.250 4FL carbide ball e.m. with a .004 stepover to finish profile the face
Any help/ideas/suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
-WRM