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IndustryArena Forum > CAM Software > Surfcam > Surfcam surface finishes
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    0

    Surfcam surface finishes

    does anyone have any issues with surfcam and surface finishes. am currently useing 5.1 , 5.2 has major issues. the issues are just 3D related, looks like ripples? in the part, i can see them in the toolpath, can not get rid of them

    thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    637
    Try setting your Surface and Curve (for 2D) Tolerance to a smaller number. I use .0002. It will increase you file size and may slow down your machine but most modern machines today can handle it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    0
    am running at .0005 right now on fadal, step over at .003 to .006. machining aluminum right now, useing 2 flute carbide, will try lowering tolerance to see

    thanks

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    637
    .0005 is too high from what I’ve experienced. You’ll see a big difference. Some people use .0001. Also if you use “Scallop” instead of “Increment” you may see an improvement depending on the situation. The increment step over would depend on the size of the ball of course. I don’t understand why Surfcam still has .001 as a default tolerance considering the processing power of today’s computers and machine controllers.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    0
    ya really dont get the .001 thing too, wont even let you change in options. do you use the arc filter feature, i have before, in earlier versions with no luck. will definetly lower the tolerance

    thanks again

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    637
    Surfcam has a lot of room for improvement. I use the arc filter on occasion it works pretty good. I only use it for X,Y plane. It has bit me a few time too. I once tried to run multiple Filtered programs as one program and it tried to run through the part between programs. For some reason it ignored the rapid plane. After that I only run one at a time. Not sure if that has been fixed.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    0
    do you know of any other filtering programs, the fadal uses a finishing option that i run with it, works ok, can definetly see a difference.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    0
    just got done with first part at .0002, it does look better, but will have to see how it does on a more radical surface, this one has a nice gentle slope to it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    23
    Quote Originally Posted by jmill View Post
    does anyone have any issues with surfcam and surface finishes. am currently useing 5.1 , 5.2 has major issues. the issues are just 3D related, looks like ripples? in the part, i can see them in the toolpath, can not get rid of them

    thanks
    if you look under any of the surfacing tool paths you will see a surface tolerance, you need to adjust it to like .0001 or .0005 , should give you alot better finish, oops didn't read all the posts sorry

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    154
    I will use the "arc filtering" feature when I post if my cut allows me. I also believe you can set your tolerance .00001 if you really want it smooth and can work with a ton of code.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    0
    Are you using 3d Offset?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    0
    Quote Originally Posted by dynacam View Post
    Are you using 3d Offset?
    i have used 3D offset but for this i was useing planer

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    70
    You can also use arc filter as FILTER ONLY which will make you a new toolpath you can preview in surfcam before posting. In the old days arc filter bit alot of people in the butt doing it via posting because they didn't know what the result would look like.

    Best results with arc filter are when your filter tolerance is just above your surface tolerance. IE, surf tol = .0001, are filter tolerance = .0002..... Your mileage may very, good luck.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    73

    surface tolerance settin6

    assumin6 you have a setup tool library. the surface tolerance is set within each tool. yes it defaults out to 0.001 but if you 6o in and set your ballnose it will no lon6er default out to 0.001.

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