Is there a way to limit the Z axis travel (retraction for clearance) when the tool is moving to another area to cut?
More info:
My machine has a limited Z travel of 7 inches. The tool blank is approximately 5" inches tall when at 0 and 90deg on an A axis. In both MadCAM 4 and MadCAM 5, I'm getting excessive Z travel for clearance on most tool paths. The machine control (EdingCNC, formerly USBCNC), will not accept the post G code files as the machine Z travel limits are exceeded. Thus, I have to manually edit all the Z clearance tool paths in the text file.
I've tried the following:
1. Setting the tool clearance (0.25"). No effect.
2. Setting the top clipping plane to just above the highest tool path. No effect.
3. Setting the Z axis home position to a low value (1") in the post process page. No effect. Not surprised as the excessive Z travel is apparent in the simulator, so I wouldn't expect the post process to change how the simulator appears.
It would be fine if it were only one or two, but with 6 tool paths, there are dozens of excessive Z travel clearance tool paths. The workflow is:
1. Import G code file into EdingCNC controller.
2. Controller identifies line code where Z travel exceeds machine limits.
3. Use Find tool in text editor to find line.
4. Edit Z travel to within machine limits and save file.
5. Reimport G code file into EdingCNC controller. It will then find the next troublesome Z axis tool path.
Repeat steps 1-5 many times until none of the tool paths exceed machine Z travel limits. If this was to repeatedly machine the same part, it would be OK, but I have to repeat this processor for every part as each is custom. So it is quite tedious and time consuming. I'm hoping there is some software setting I missed that can fix it.
Here are some images to illustrate the problem (MadCAM 4, Note how the clipping planes have no effect:
Attachment 322324
MadCAM 5 simulator:
Attachment 322328
In the EdingCNC controller:
Attachment 322330