[The Engine Guy]

I do fully agree that the Helical In/Out needs sorting asap, not very good the way it is now, I was just initially concerned with making sure the odd little Z move was done while the cutter was still in free air.

In the absence of any available place to set the Helical angle etc I am assuming that the "odd" Z distance it is moving would be the correct amount of Z movement for the Helical move if it was there

Regards

[BurrMan]

Does it go away if you select to post as lines instead of arcs on the posting tab?

[The Engine Guy]

Does it go away if you select to post as lines instead of arcs on the posting tab?

Hi Burr

As usual you have spotted something we have missed, that does appear to produce a "ramp" in when Helical is selected and my Post does produce 3 axis moves of tiny lines, no arcs are generated so no Is and Js or Rs in the code.

It does make for a lot of code ( 392 lines for a 15mm depth thread ) but does seem to work, not much time at the moment to run a few variations but I`ll have a go later.

The only arc generated on my test is the lead out which seems to be computed as a circular lead out regardless of whether a Helical or a Circular lead out is selected but that isn`t a problem

Need to get some time to run it in some material for a look at the thread quality but the code backplots OK in Predator so as long as the moves are small enough then it should be an acceptable thread

Regards

[SBC Cycle]

Does it go away if you select to post as lines instead of arcs on the posting tab?

Doh! I feel really dumb not checking that out. Rob's right, it has the correct Z lead (1/4 turn), it's just in the wrong spot.

I cut a test piece yesterday in Acetal before I did the real thing and it cut beautifully and it was right the first time. With a cutter that big, I've noticed you get a cutter trail effect if you don't lead in with a nice Helical move.

Tomorrow I will do a couple more test cuts and then I. 'll slice them up and take some pictures of the thread. This time I'll try posting lines instead of arcs.

Thanks for the fresh set of eyes friends! To be continued...

[BurrMan]

I would think that for threads though that you really want arcs. The little jogs "appeared" to disappear when switching to lines, though the error could still be there, just less noticable. I dont know enough about it, but it seems to leave 2 things, either BobCad isnt creating that ramp arc connection correctly, or the numbers for the thread are not proper.

BTW: the thread feature has a "gometry" selection in it? I did my setup with no geometry. Has anybody tried creating the thread as geometry also, then run arcs?

[The Engine Guy]

I would think that for threads though that you really want arcs. The little jogs "appeared" to disappear when switching to lines, though the error could still be there, just less noticable. I dont know enough about it, but it seems to leave 2 things, either BobCad isnt creating that ramp arc connection correctly, or the numbers for the thread are not proper.

BTW: the thread feature has a "gometry" selection in it? I did my setup with no geometry. Has anybody tried creating the thread as geometry also, then run arcs?

That was the very first way I tried to do it but when I treid to select geometry it reverted back to the "select geometry" screen instead of showing in the small "geometry selected pane" so I assumed from that no geometry had been selected, when I looked at the tree it seemed I was right as there was no available geometry selection in the tree

I don`t believe the "geometry" selection needs to be in the "wizard" at all as all the settings on the "Parameters" section pretty much make it redundant and plus that it doesn`t appear in the "Feature Tree" so couldn`t be re-selected as normal with any geometry, the only thing in the tree is a "Start point" which I have to admit I haven`t bothered to set much as the feature seems to work fine "as is" for the example we were using, might want to move a start point over if using a small tool in a very big hole as it may have a long way to move from the center to the cutting point, other than that I would probably leave it alone

Regards

[The Engine Guy]

Having had a bit more of a play it does seem that a Start Point is indeed all that is required, obviously there has to be some way to put the thread in the right place and that does the trick

So what I said before about moving the start point for small tools in big holes is all wrong Just forget it

I didn`t draw any geometry other than points that I then used for the selection of the thread coordinate position centre, that`s all I have on that one for now.

Just have to wait and see what the other guys get for their thread quality using the "lines" instead of "arcs" and maybe some input from BC on this one

Regards

[SBC Cycle]

Sorry, got busy and forgot to try both ways and cut it in half for a look. I'll try to do that today.

Moving on, when you use the pocket feature with a spiral entry there is a slight error. The tool spirals down to depth, then moves up to Z0. then back down to depth, then XY cutting.

Only with an island. Regular pockets are fine. I finished the rough draft of the spiral arc script. It works ok until it hits that funky move. Then it screws up.

I'll post a sample file when I get in. And I'll post the spiral arc entry post processor for anyone to play with.

Build 678

[SBC Cycle]

File attached.

[aldepoalo]

SBC,

I was able to re produce the issue. It looks to me like a start point problem. So what I did was change the start point of the pocket to a different position and the up down went away.

[aldepoalo]

Here is the file.

[BurrMan]

Here is the file.

That file has absolutly NO erroneous z moves in it!!!

[SBC Cycle]

SBC,

I was able to re produce the issue. It looks to me like a start point problem. So what I did was change the start point of the pocket to a different position and the up down went away.

I might have had one selected when I was playing with it and deleted it later. It shouldn't have had one.

Try removing the start point.

EDIT: Ahh, I think I see the problem. It will do the up down if you have not selected a start point, but again only if you have an island.

[aldepoalo]

it's geometry specific, I was able to do a ramp on a pocket with an island with no issue. but your part it had an issue. I moved the start point and it fixed the problem.. I don t have an answer why.

[Big Chips]

a issue i have ran into is when using the chamfer option...the sharp or flat option always defaults to the flat...when saving...even after i have selected sharp....i have to always go back and double check and save multiple times for it to stay selected as sharp

it seems when i upgraded to the pro license i have developed issues that were not there when i was just a standard user...

[SBC Cycle]

it's geometry specific, I was able to do a ramp on a pocket with an island with no issue. but your part it had an issue. I moved the start point and it fixed the problem.. I don t have an answer why.

Can I see the file you have that doesn't have the issue? I think I see what might be the problem but I've made over a dozen drawings of various pockets with islands and only one of them doesn't do the up/down. Not enough to check my theory.

[aldepoalo]

Attached is your sample with a different start point that post code with out the up down after the lead in.

X-0.5532 Y-0.6522 Z-0.2403
X-0.5573 Y-0.6435 Z-0.2411
X-0.5607 Y-0.6335 Z-0.242
X-0.5631 Y-0.622 Z-0.2431
X-0.5641 Y-0.6103 Z-0.2441
X-0.5632 Y-0.5965 Z-0.2453
X-0.5605 Y-0.5838 Z-0.2464
X-0.5566 Y-0.5729 Z-0.2475
X-0.5493 Y-0.5594 Z-0.2488
X-0.541 Y-0.5485 Z-0.25
X-0.2728 Y-0.7879 F89.2592
G17 G03 X-0.2728 Y-1.2121 I0.2121 J-0.2121
G01 X0.7879 Y-2.2728
G03 X1.2121 Y-2.2728 I0.2121 J0.2121
G01 X2.2728 Y-1.2121
G03 X2.2728 Y-0.7879 I-0.2121 J0.2121
G01 X1.2121 Y0.2728
G03 X0.7879 Y0.2728 I-0.2121 J-0.2121
G01 X-0.2728 Y-0.7879
X-0.5465 Y-0.7422

[aldepoalo]

Attached is my sample part with an island using the ramp.

%
O100 (PROGRAM NUMBER)

(BEGIN PREDATOR NC HEADER)
(MCH_FILE=4AXVMILL.MCH)
(COORD_SYS 1=X0 Y0 Z0)
(MTOOL T1 S1 D0.25 C0. A0. H2.5)
(SBOX X-2. Y-1. Z-1. L4.6536 W2.2973 H1.)
(END PREDATOR NC HEADER)

(PROGRAM NAME - BOBCAD2.NC)
(POST -  HAAS VF)
(DATE - THU. 07/26/2012)
(TIME - 03:23PM)

N01 G00 G17 G40 G49 G80 G20 G90

(FIRST CUT - FIRST TOOL)
(JOB 1  POCKET)
(FEATURE POCKET)

(TOOL #1 0.25 ENDMILL ROUGH)
N02 T1 M06
1/4 FLAT ENDMILL - STANDARD
N03 G90 G54 X1.9272 Y-0.4137 S7761 M03
N04 G43 H1 D1 Z0.1 M08
N05 G01 Z0. F89.2592
N06 X1.9347 Y-0.4202 Z-0.0009
N07 X1.9413 Y-0.4285 Z-0.0018
N08 X1.9464 Y-0.4381 Z-0.0027
N09 X1.9493 Y-0.4475 Z-0.0036
N10 X1.9506 Y-0.4578 Z-0.0045
N11 X1.95 Y-0.4681 Z-0.0054
N12 X1.9481 Y-0.4767 Z-0.0062
N13 X1.9441 Y-0.4862 Z-0.0071
N14 X1.9392 Y-0.4938 Z-0.0079
N15 X1.9331 Y-0.5008 Z-0.0087
N16 X1.9279 Y-0.5052 Z-0.0093
N17 X1.9209 Y-0.5096 Z-0.01
N18 X1.9119 Y-0.5136 Z-0.0109
N19 X1.9026 Y-0.5158 Z-0.0117
N20 X1.8929 Y-0.5165 Z-0.0126
N21 X1.8839 Y-0.5156 Z-0.0134
N22 X1.8731 Y-0.5126 Z-0.0144
N23 X1.8641 Y-0.5081 Z-0.0152
N24 X1.8559 Y-0.5021 Z-0.0161
N25 X1.8499 Y-0.4958 Z-0.0169
N26 X1.844 Y-0.487 Z-0.0178
N27 X1.8398 Y-0.4775 Z-0.0187
N28 X1.8378 Y-0.4695 Z-0.0194
N29 X1.837 Y-0.4602 Z-0.0203
N30 X1.8374 Y-0.4522 Z-0.021
N31 X1.8387 Y-0.4458 Z-0.0215
N32 X1.8428 Y-0.4346 Z-0.0226
N33 X1.8486 Y-0.4252 Z-0.0236
N34 X1.8569 Y-0.4165 Z-0.0246
N35 X1.865 Y-0.4107 Z-0.0255
N36 X1.8756 Y-0.4058 Z-0.0265
N37 X1.8855 Y-0.4034 Z-0.0274
N38 X1.898 Y-0.403 Z-0.0285
N39 X1.909 Y-0.4049 Z-0.0295
N40 X1.9185 Y-0.4085 Z-0.0304
N41 X1.9269 Y-0.4135 Z-0.0312
N42 X1.9337 Y-0.4192 Z-0.032
N43 X1.9405 Y-0.4273 Z-0.0329
N44 X1.9453 Y-0.4356 Z-0.0338
N45 X1.9482 Y-0.4433 Z-0.0345
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N56 X1.8956 Y-0.5165 Z-0.0436
N57 X1.8872 Y-0.5161 Z-0.0443
N58 X1.8783 Y-0.5144 Z-0.0451
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N61 X1.8495 Y-0.4953 Z-0.0482
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N65 X1.837 Y-0.4587 Z-0.0516
N66 X1.8378 Y-0.4501 Z-0.0524
N67 X1.8409 Y-0.4389 Z-0.0534
N68 X1.8457 Y-0.4293 Z-0.0544
N69 X1.8524 Y-0.4208 Z-0.0553
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N72 X1.8826 Y-0.4039 Z-0.0584
N73 X1.8952 Y-0.4028 Z-0.0595
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N91 X1.8725 Y-0.5124 Z-0.0769
N92 X1.8656 Y-0.509 Z-0.0776
N93 X1.8597 Y-0.5052 Z-0.0782
N94 X1.8542 Y-0.5005 Z-0.0788
N95 X1.8489 Y-0.4946 Z-0.0795
N96 X1.8453 Y-0.4894 Z-0.0801
N97 X1.8419 Y-0.4828 Z-0.0807
N98 X1.838 Y-0.4703 Z-0.0819
N99 X1.837 Y-0.4629 Z-0.0825
N100 X1.8371 Y-0.4556 Z-0.0832
N101 X1.8382 Y-0.4481 Z-0.0838
N102 X1.8402 Y-0.4409 Z-0.0845
N103 X1.8427 Y-0.4348 Z-0.0851
N104 X1.8463 Y-0.4284 Z-0.0857
N105 X1.8546 Y-0.4185 Z-0.0868
N106 X1.8653 Y-0.4105 Z-0.088
N107 X1.8713 Y-0.4075 Z-0.0886
N108 X1.8786 Y-0.4049 Z-0.0893
N109 X1.8856 Y-0.4034 Z-0.0899
N110 X1.8922 Y-0.4028 Z-0.0905
N111 X1.8986 Y-0.403 Z-0.091
N112 X1.9057 Y-0.4041 Z-0.0917
N113 X1.9133 Y-0.4063 Z-0.0924
N114 X1.9193 Y-0.4088 Z-0.0929
N115 X1.9286 Y-0.4147 Z-0.0939
N116 X1.9356 Y-0.4211 Z-0.0947
N117 X1.9432 Y-0.4316 Z-0.0959
N118 X1.9479 Y-0.4422 Z-0.0969
N119 X1.9501 Y-0.4519 Z-0.0978
N120 X1.9506 Y-0.4614 Z-0.0986
N121 X1.9496 Y-0.4708 Z-0.0994
N122 X1.9471 Y-0.4795 Z-0.1002
N123 X1.9417 Y-0.4903 Z-0.1013
N124 X1.9348 Y-0.4991 Z-0.1022
N125 X1.927 Y-0.5059 Z-0.1032
N126 X1.9168 Y-0.5117 Z-0.1042
N127 X1.9071 Y-0.5149 Z-0.1051
N128 X1.8959 Y-0.5165 Z-0.1061
N129 X1.8864 Y-0.516 Z-0.1069
N130 X1.8778 Y-0.5142 Z-0.1077
N131 X1.8666 Y-0.5096 Z-0.1087
N132 X1.8571 Y-0.503 Z-0.1097
N133 X1.8491 Y-0.4948 Z-0.1107
N134 X1.8436 Y-0.4863 Z-0.1116
N135 X1.8404 Y-0.4791 Z-0.1123
N136 X1.8383 Y-0.4718 Z-0.113
N137 X1.837 Y-0.4586 Z-0.1141
N138 X1.8375 Y-0.4521 Z-0.1147
N139 X1.8388 Y-0.4452 Z-0.1153
N140 X1.8427 Y-0.4347 Z-0.1163
N141 X1.8498 Y-0.4237 Z-0.1175
N142 X1.8579 Y-0.4156 Z-0.1185
N143 X1.8663 Y-0.4099 Z-0.1194
N144 X1.8764 Y-0.4056 Z-0.1203
N145 X1.8835 Y-0.4038 Z-0.121
N146 X1.8907 Y-0.4029 Z-0.1216
N147 X1.9035 Y-0.4037 Z-0.1227
N148 X1.9159 Y-0.4073 Z-0.1239
N149 X1.9272 Y-0.4137 Z-0.125
N150 G17 G02 X1.7658 Y-0.575 I-0.5897 J0.4287 F178.5184
N151 G01 X1.8756
N152 G02 X2.099 Y-0.4787 I0.3744 J-0.5616
N153 X1.9272 Y-0.4137 I0.151 J0.6579
N154 G01 X1.987 Y-0.3039
N155 G02 X1.8876 Y-0.2346 I0.263 J0.483
N156 X0.9639 Y-0.4595 I-0.55 J0.2496
N157 X0.9604 Y-0.7 I-0.9639 J-0.1062
N158 G01 X1.9156
N159 G02 X2.2464 Y-0.5866 I0.3344 J-0.4366
N160 G03 X2.2464 Y-0.3708 I-0.0007 J0.1079
N161 G02 X1.987 Y-0.3039 I0.0036 J0.55
N162 X1.8876 Y-0.2346 I0.263 J0.483
N163 G01 X1.97 Y-0.1406
N164 G02 X1.825 Y0.1791 I0.28 J0.3197
N165 G01 Y0.2197
N166 X1.7707
N167 G03 X1.6125 Y0.3199 I-0.1582 J-0.0748
N168 G01 X1.0627
N169 G03 X0.9045 Y0.2197 I0. J-0.175
N170 X1.7707 Y0.2197 I0.4331 J-0.2046
N171 G01 X1.825
N172 Y0.8128
N173 G03 X1.7864 Y0.8784 I-0.075 J0.
N174 G02 X1.6423 Y1.0093 I0.2062 J0.3716
N175 G03 X1.2128 Y1.0093 I-0.2148 J-0.1476
N176 G02 X0.8625 Y0.825 I-0.3503 J0.2407
N177 G01 X-1.75
N178 G03 X-1.825 Y0.75 I0. J-0.075
N179 G01 Y0.399
N180 X-1.7
N181 Y0.7
N182 X-0.8297
N183 Y0.575
N184 G02 X-0.62 Y0.3365 I-0.4295 J-0.5891
N185 X0.6674 Y0.302 I0.62 J-0.9022
N186 X0.6784 Y0.3265 I0.6702 J-0.287
N187 X1.0627 Y0.5699 I0.3843 J-0.1816
N188 G01 X1.575
N189 Y0.7196
N190 G02 X1.4362 Y0.8677 I0.4176 J0.5304
N191 G03 X1.4188 Y0.8677 I-0.0087 J-0.006
N192 G02 X0.8625 Y0.575 I-0.5563 J0.3823
N193 G01 X-0.8297
N194 Y0.7
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N199 X0.7914 Y0.2731 I0.6019 J-0.051
N200 X1.0627 Y0.4449 I0.2712 J-0.1282
N201 G01 X1.6125
N202 G02 X1.7 Y0.4319 I0. J-0.3
N203 G01 Y0.7843
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N205 G03 X1.3158 Y0.9385 I-0.1117 J-0.0768
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N208 X-1.7
N209 Y0.399
N210 X-1.825
N211 Y-0.75
N212 G03 X-1.75 Y-0.825 I0.075 J0.
N213 G01 X-0.9011
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N215 G02 X-0.8379 Y-0.4589 I0.8276 J0.1692
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N219 X-1.5341
N220 G02 X-1.575 Y-0.567 I0. J0.425
N221 G01 Y-0.575
N222 X-1.0947
N223 G02 X-1.0947 Y-0.5689 I1.0947 J0.0092
N224 G01 X-0.9697 Y-0.5686
N225 G02 X-0.9619 Y-0.4431 I0.9697 J0.0028
N226 X-0.9843 Y-0.4439 I-0.0224 J0.2992
N227 G01 X-1.5341
N228 G02 X-1.7 Y-0.3939 I0. J0.3
N229 G01 Y-0.7
N230 X-0.9604
N231 G02 X-0.9697 Y-0.5686 I0.9604 J0.1342
N232 X-0.9619 Y-0.4431 I0.9697 J0.0028
N233 G01 X-0.8379 Y-0.4589
N234 G02 X-0.7788 Y-0.2386 I0.8379 J-0.1069
N235 G01 X-0.8261 Y-0.2187
N236 G03 X-1.6924 Y-0.2187 I-0.4331 J0.2046
N237 X-1.5341 Y-0.3189 I0.1582 J0.0748
N238 G01 X-0.9843
N239 G03 X-0.8261 Y-0.2187 I0. J0.175
N240 G01 X-0.7788 Y-0.2386
N241 G02 X0.8276 Y-0.735 I0.7788 J-0.3272
N242 G03 X0.9011 Y-0.825 I0.0735 J-0.015
N243 G01 X1.933
N244 G03 X1.9805 Y-0.808 I0. J0.075
N245 G02 X2.2472 Y-0.7116 I0.2695 J-0.3286
N246 G03 X2.2472 Y-0.2458 I-0.0015 J0.2329
N247 G02 X1.97 Y-0.1406 I0.0028 J0.425
N248 X1.825 Y0.1791 I0.28 J0.3197
N249 G01 Y0.2197
N250 Y0.8128
N251 G03 X1.7864 Y0.8784 I-0.075 J0.
N252 G02 X1.6423 Y1.0093 I0.2062 J0.3716
N253 G03 X1.2128 Y1.0093 I-0.2148 J-0.1476
N254 G02 X0.8625 Y0.825 I-0.3503 J0.2407
N255 G01 X-1.75
N256 G03 X-1.825 Y0.75 I0. J-0.075
N257 G01 Y0.399
N258 Y-0.75
N259 G03 X-1.75 Y-0.825 I0.075 J0.
N260 G01 X-0.9011
N261 G03 X-0.8276 Y-0.735 I0. J0.075
N262 G02 X-0.8379 Y-0.4589 I0.8276 J0.1692
N263 X-0.7788 Y-0.2386 I0.8379 J-0.1069
N264 G00 Z0.1
N265 M09
N266 M05
N267 G91 G28 Z0.
N268 G91 G28 Y0.
N269 T1 M06
N270 M02

(END OF FILE)
(END OF PROGRAM)

N271 M30
%

[SBC Cycle]

Attached is my sample part with an island using the ramp.

Hey Al, if I change from Pocket Out to Pocket In on this file I get a gouge. Do you get the same?

The gouge isn't from the spiral, it's related to the funky move. This time, my posted code moves up Z0, but then moves in XY-Z depth to the next move.

[Big Chips]

okay how about this issue i ran into today...when using adaptive rough and selecting "bottom" check box and entering in a value lower (.001) below the top of the the adaptive rough boundary has choose....te program WILL NOT machine the value entered and for that will not even get close to the area (.064) in my case.

take that (.001) out and it will work right...

so i am i getting this right...i can not go deeper than what the software chooses for me ...???