[jimmy111]

Does anyone know a easy, none time consuming way to do simple one off Face milling on a CNC mill.

Mostly I do drilling and pocketing of castings but I get people coming in all the time for simple milling operations but setup is just too time consuming.

What Id like to do if possible is turn on the spindle and use the MPG for positioning.

Bridgeport VMC Fanuc 21i-MA

[jimmy111]

I figured it out. Bad key....

[christinandavid]

See if its worth getting manual guide i activated. Makes face milling any shaped part a piece of cake. Hell, it makes everything a piece of cake.

Other than that, you could write a macro program in which you define the opposite corners of the area you want to cover, finish Z position, stock, cutting depth and stepover.

DP

[jimmy111]

This machine is almost always used for the same few tasks. I wanted to use it for face milling other parts. I have a macro but it didnt work. Ended up being a control issue with a bad contact on a button. Cleaned it and it works fine now.

I dont think this machine can use Manual guide i.

[fizzissist]

This thread dealt with face milling..
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/genera...ill_usage.html

As to programming, a macro would be ideal, with prompts written into the code so all you need to do is punch in the X,Y values, depth steps, feed and speed if you're not using the same cutter every time or running different material.

Keep in mind the importance of entry and exit paths if you're running carbide insert tools!!