[Stupidav]

It has been way too long since I have had to do anything other than 3 Axis programming, on top of which we have upgraded Surfcam several times.

Currently we are running Surfcam 2014, programming a 5 Axis Dual Rotary Head - Motion Master CNC machine.

I have to have something set wrong, it think. I attached a simple SolidWorks part and can not seem to it to cut a pocket/surface utilizing the 4th (B) Axis. This part has 2 "Floors", one that is parallel to the table - standard 2 Axis Pocket tool path. The other is sloped 15 degrees (the picture is a cutaway view). Initially my thought was to create a construction plane / view then do the 2 Axis Pocket. Everything looked good but when posting or editing the tool path it never moved the "B" Axis and it was 100% X-Y moves no Z moves either. I have also tried 4 and 5 Axis Cut and Multi-Surface cut, and no matter what I select the tool stays parallel to the table. It is almost as if I have the "Multi-Axis" capabilities disabled.
Attachment 303104

Naturally the Vendor wants $5000 or something for support , but we would get another upgrade, that we don't feel we need. Obviously I can pick the surface to get it done, but this would be so much faster if I could use the 4th Axis.

[victorofga]

I just checked yesterday autodesk fusion 360...
if you have annual income under 100 K then you might use free...

if not then for fee per month you can use the full 5 axis capability of..
if their ad is true, then

can happen you dont pay no more on solidworks either..

yesterday I just read on a page, for 100 per month the ultimate..


https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...723F8-htm.html

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...9DA8C-htm.html

[machinster]

You might not actually be creating a toolpath with actual Tool Axis Vectors, though you think that you are...

Try creating a view at the same angle as your pocket.... Set your Cview to that view... Set Coord:World to Coord:View...

NOW... Create a toolpath for your pocket... When you view this toolpath the cutter must be at an angle while its cutting...

THEN... Run inc2apt converter... Look at the apt source code output... There should be 6 values for each tool center point position, like this:

xx.xxxx yy.yyyy zz.zzzz a.aaaaa b.bbbbb c.ccccc

The first 3 sets are xyz locations and the second 3 are tool axis normal vectors or the angle of the tool. If the tool was Straight up and down at zero origin apt source would look like this: 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000, 0.0000 0.0000 1.0000

At xyz zero tool tipped to 20 degrees in x would look like this: 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000, 0.3420 0.0000 0.9397

Also don't forget you MUST use tool gage lengths AND pivot point length with a Motion Master that has the Fagor 8050 controller, we have 2 of these and I have done many nice 5 axis programs....

I hope that helps....

[machinster]

I meant to send this attachment but forgot, just FWIW.....