[Mortek]

well, Steve Mack has had the file for at least 10 min. ..... Where is the toolpath? The file size was 5.5 mb. I want a step down on the wall so as to finish like a z level would, but tied to the angle of the floor position. Step down of about .020.

[Steve Mack]

I'll create a step by step PDF. Sound fair enough?


It's really quite easy to control this type of toolpath with powermill. I do it almost on a daily basis.

Now, Powermill doesn't include a cad application, except just a 'sketcher' for creating drive curves and such. I do have full seat of Powershape.

[Steve Mack]

Originally posted by Mortek
well, Steve Mack has had the file for at least 10 min. ..... Where is the toolpath? The file size was 5.5 mb. I want a step down on the wall so as to finish like a z level would, but tied to the angle of the floor position. Step down of about .020.

Ya gotta at least wait till I'm at work

I've been busy getting my Harley ready for the 100th reunion here.

PRIORITIES ya know?

[jonbanquer]

Originally posted by Steve Mack
I'll create a step by step PDF. Sound fair enough?


It's really quite easy to control this type of toolpath with powermill. I do it almost on a daily basis.

Now, Powermill doesn't include a cad application, except just a 'sketcher' for creating drive curves and such. I do have full seat of Powershape.

I think it would be fair to also use PowerShape because
after all if one spends $16,000 on PowerMill what's another
3 or 4 grand for PowerShape ? I guess you could show both
with and without but I would argue that use of PowerShape is fair.

What will be of *equal interest to me* is to see the step by
step in MasterCAM, OneCNC and anyone else wishing to
participate. Perhaps someone should invite the Gibbs people
as well ? I certainly think another system can look good
price / performance wise and not beat PowerMill especially
if the product is in the $8,000 and below range.

To me this is the exactly the kind of thing that cnczone is
all about and why it is special.



jon

[jonbanquer]

Originally posted by Mortek
well, Steve Mack has had the file for at least 10 min. ..... Where is the toolpath? The file size was 5.5 mb. I want a step down on the wall so as to finish like a z level would, but tied to the angle of the floor position. Step down of about .020.

Would it not also be fair to demand this of the OneCNC guys
and the MasterCAM guy as well ??? ;>)

Seriously, thank you very much for presenting this challenge.
I think eveyone reading might learn something about the
other guys system if all the presentations are step by step
as Steve Mackay has offered (and will ) to do.

I wish more people tried to evaluate 3 axis toolpath
surfacing like you are trying to do because to me it only
makes sense. I would strongly suggest if this goes well that
you demand that your Vero VisiCAD/CAM rep or anyone else
show you a step by step. If they won't, then I hope your no
longer interested in either them or their product. ;>)


jon

[Mortek]

I am a onecnc guy, My mill 2000 won't do it using solid surfaces, only by creating a 3d chain by extracting the fillet edge on the floor, then you lose the protection of gouge checking. Hu says he can do it with the custom toolpathing in onecnc expert. My imagination can't verify that, can't picture how. I know the more advanced systems have pencil parrallel, but I wouln't know how it works. I would have to see the step by step as you say.

[hardmill]

Originally posted by Mortek
Hardmill,


And your e-mail address is?

Right below any of my posts.
OR look at my profile.
Looks like were gonna have a good ole fashioned
mill off.:banana: :banana:

Yeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwww!!!
Sorry about that I just got carried away.


PEACE

[Steve Mack]

Originally posted by Mortek
well, Steve Mack has had the file for at least 10 min. ..... Where is the toolpath? The file size was 5.5 mb. I want a step down on the wall so as to finish like a z level would, but tied to the angle of the floor position. Step down of about .020.

Ya gotta at least wait till I'm at work

I've been busy getting my Harley ready for the 100th reunion here.

PRIORITIES ya know?

[Steve Mack]

Mortek. It seems it's not a problem with cutting it the way you want it because that bottom surface isn't flat, but a problem of orientation.

The whole part was tilted. Once you tilt the part properly, the bottom surface is flat. and easily cutable with a z profile.

I'm a mold maker/designer. So the 1st thing I look at on a part is the point of draw. It was easy to spot when you look at it that way.

[Steve Mack]

Here's the angle the part came in at:

[cadcam]

Steve the end of the part is under cut so the part is rotated to make the undercut wall pull straght like you are thinking.

So to water line the part for a straght pull you would need a slide for the undercut wall.

But for me I say like you water line the part and still contour the undercut wall with a dovetail to avod an extrat setup like he has done.

One of the troubles I am finding is a Real bad surface modeling job.

Corners were not done correctly.

Hope this helps.

[Carver]

Take a look at Visual Mill 4.0.
The demo used to require a refundable deposit when you send the hardware lock back.

The quantity of options for cut routines are very good and the program is not real expensive.

Take a look at my site to see what I cut on a daily basis. We are 100% cnc in out production. VM4 is out only toolpath generator.

Good luck,
Phill Pittman
[email protected]
www.masterwerkes.com

[Steve Mack]

Yeah, I didn't delve real far into the part. But I tend to agree about the surfaces being, well... not optimal.

Powershape/Powermill is very forgiving about bad surface models. Hell, it only took a couple of minutes to form that into a solid. Yeah, the solid was an 'open' solid by about .007" But it still formed one. Powershape is very forgiving when it comes to making solids also. Unlike Parasolid, and Acis modelers, it allows completely open/non watertight solids. They work just the same as watertight solids.

Like I said, I didn't delve very far into it, but, there seems to be only one backdrafted surface that isn't totally cutable from the top. I'd end up burning it Or re-designing the part.

[cadcam]

We call them solid sheets. for the thought of a open solid base.
As for burning the under cut it would not be able to pull the part.

If these was going to be a investment casting the you would make a break away core to make this happn.. as a Plastick this would have to be a movible slide or like you said re-designing the part..
But in this case is a typacal Aerospace part made of say forged 7075 alum..

I am go to ajust the fillets a little and make the undercut with the floor flat or waterlined.

Most of this part is simple 2d.

I will be getting back to this soon . I have a Part I need to get some time on and a little work around the house.


(I've been busy getting my Harley ready for the 100th reunion here.) Steve have a GREAT ride.

[Steve Mack]

Originally posted by cadcam
We call them solid sheets. for the thought of a open solid base.
As for burning the under cut it would not be able to pull the part.

Obviously Hence my not worrying about it, since it isn't a mold.

[i]If these was going to be a investment casting the you would make a break away core to make this happn.. as a Plastick this would have to be a movible slide or like you said re-designing the part..
But in this case is a typacal Aerospace part made of say forged 7075 alum..
[/B]

If it's a mold, it would definately be an easy 'lifter' job. I'm doing a nightmare of a part for a certain LARGE appliance company that has lifters running around almost the whole parimeter of the part. It's what I'm working on right now, it's a pita!

[i]I am go to ajust the fillets a little and make the undercut with the floor flat or waterlined.

Most of this part is simple 2d.

I will be getting back to this soon . I have a Part I need to get some time on and a little work around the house.


(I've been busy getting my Harley ready for the 100th reunion here.) Steve have a GREAT ride. [/B]

Thanks!

[cadcam]

Steve it is all good..
Thanks for getting thru my really bad writing this morning.

I have mold back round also if it has not come out a little.

Wax investment got me this in the first place.
I have done Plaxtic,Wax & die cast along with Sheet metal dies and others..

I am kind of an all around guy.
I am like you I am sure that shapes are shapes just how are you going to go at it.

Later

PS if you take any oictures of the ride if you can please share one or two..

[hardmill]

This is all he wants cut(yellow) @ the angle
the part is curently at.

PEACE

[balsaman]

Steve,

Cool avitar.

[Steve Mack]

But, if he still wanted to cut the corner at that angle, it's still not difficult, but more so than I originally anticipated. It still took less than 5 minutes to get his desired results.

[Steve Mack]

Originally posted by balsaman
Steve,

Cool avitar.

Thanks!

Here's a screen shot of my caliper inserts I've made yesterday. I'll shoot a picture of the actual parts if you'd like. Or, if you want the models, I can send ya those too