[RODELLSWORTH]

BobCAD1.dwgMY BOSS WANTS THE 3D CUTTER PATH TO GO ACCROSS THE CURVED SURFACE WITH CONSISTANT STEPS IN BOTH X/Y AND Z DIRECTIONS. THE ONLY CHOICE I SEE IN THE 3D MACHINING THAT GIVES YOU CONSISTANT STEPS IS EQUIDISTANT BUT IT LEAVES A CUTTER PATH THAT LOOKS LIKE A ENVELOPE. HE DOESNT LIKE THAT. DOES BOBCAD V24 OFFER WHAT IM LOOKING FOR? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. ROD

[tubeguy]

What version are you running now.

[RODELLSWORTH]

V24

[Kiwi]

Does the corner radius also need to follow the same tool path?

[RODELLSWORTH]

NO, THE SCALLOP JUST NEED TO FRONT TO BACK AND HAVE EVEN SPACINGS AND DEPTH. I CAN SEND THE FILE I HAVE IF YOU NEED IT. THANKS ROD

[Kiwi]

As I'm still using V21, I don't know if what you want can be done with your version of BobCAD.

I'm sure there are many that could write a macro to do what you need.

Attached is a VB program that I've written which will generate some code which you may be able to run and get the finish you require.
Note: This tool path is TOOL CENTRE

[Kiwi]

Looks like I'm trying to re-invent the wheel.
I see in the BobCAD manual V21 has a feature where this tool path can be generated under 3D: More: Surface: Ruled. I would expect your version to have something similar.

[aldepoalo]

BobCAD CAM V24 doesn't offer a scallop based tool path. Your z level finish or planner tool path is an incremental step over. So the scallop will chance as the curve of the surface changes.

You could use equi distance, but that tool path will offset it and change direction.

The V21 did offer a ruled surface which offers a constant step over, but it's single surface only.

Now instead of running the tool across the surface, it you ran it up the surface or down the surface then you would get a constant step over.



upload pics


If you change the direction of cut to go "up" the surface then the scallops on the part would stay consistent.


photo sharing websites

[RODELLSWORTH]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP. I DID GET THE ANSWER I WANTED. BEFORE I WAS HIRED THE COMPANY CONTRACTED THE PART OUT. THEY WANTED MY PARTS TO LOOK THE SAME. I THOUGHT SINCE I AM NEW TO PROGRAMMING THAT I JUST NEEDED TO BE SMARTER.. LOL. I BELIEVE THE SOFTWARE DOES NOT OFFER THAT OPTION. THANKS AGAIN GENTLEMEN. ROD