[bcavender]

I created a 2" long, 1.5" diameter concave roller centered on the X axis as my first shot at a simple 4th axis test:



I select the model and a 0.1" ball nose tool ... OK.


I select model stock ... OK



Then create a box region around the model to give the tool room to run. (No clipping planes defined.)



I set the X axis as the rotational axis:



When I try to generate tool paths, I get the error:



I did notice that setting the 4th axis direction also resets the region back to the size of the model ... I
had to set the region again before trying to gen the tool paths ... even doing that I still am doing something wrong and generating the same error.

Any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong here?

-------------------------------
If I don't select the stock or set the region, paths are generated, but the simulator doesn't have any stock to start milling from.



Appreciate any help!

(Rhino 3dm file zipped/attached)

Thanks!

Bruce

[williamsmotower]

Pick far left, center of cylinder and move it to 0,0,0. (On left if your rotary table is on left of machine)

I also always draw a construction line x direction starting at 0,0,0 make it extend past part for ease of clicking. Then draw a z construction line middle of cylinder straight up.

I use these construction lines to "pick" my axis of rotation, and my spindle direction

[williamsmotower]

Side note, when picking toolpaths, and postprocessing... you need to know cylinder dia. If it's 2" you nerd to make sure you have atleast a +1" z height for clearence. Post window use 0,0,1.25" (this will give you .25" safety height)

[bcavender]

I drew in the revolution X and spindle Z lines plus made sure the left center of the roller was at the origin. I made sure the cylinder region was well over sized.



I still get the same tool path error when attempting 4 axis roughing.


Even though I had not set Z Clipping Planes, I thought I would go in and set them well out of the way too, but when trying to pick a z-plane, it created circular X-planes. This is confusing.



I am clearly missing something in the process of setting the stock and setting the tool operational space.

It would really be helpful when there is a toolpath going out of bounds ... some type of error display of where the problem is first encountered even if it was a single XYZ point.

--------
If I select the stock model and go directly to the simulator, the display is not a cylinder before machining, but the finished part without any toolpaths generated:


Scratch, scratch.

I have tried every permutation I can think of, but no luck.

Bruce

[williamsmotower]

Did you specify a 4 axis machine in machine library?

[bcavender]

BINGO!

Evidently when I selected the CNC6000 4axis machine and files to begin with I forgot to hit the little save button and just clicked OK after setting the file specs. Second time I made that mistake. Duh! Toolpaths gen perfectly now.



When my simulation starts, I get the finished geometry rather than an uncut stock ... so the tool and axis move fine, but do not simulate cuts to the stock.

I even tried placing a full, uncut cylinder over the model and selected it as the model stock, but that didn't help.

Is madCAM able to simulate cutting stock in 4&5 axis modes and I am just missing something in my stock or simulation setup?

Thanks for your great assists!!!

Bruce

[williamsmotower]

At this time it only simulates 3 axis stock removal

[bcavender]

Ouch! No 4axis stock removal sim is a disappointment.

My 30 day trial just locked me out tonight anyway when I was going to try a more sophisticated helical pinion gear model I just finished.

Still, in retrospect, the learning curve for madCAM was't bad for only having 30 days part time at it. At least I saw the post processor mod working on the 3axis Okuma and one 4axis part spin in Rhino. If I didn't need the 4th axis, madCAM would likely now do everything I need.

I am shooting to capitalize a decent 3axis machine with a 4th rotary early next year.

Thanks for all your good help here! I do appreciate it greatly!

Bruce

[JOM]

Bruce,

If you need more time, just send an email to madCAM and make a request for a new trial key.

/Joakim

[bcavender]

Joakim,
Thank you. I will do that.
Bruce

[bcavender]

Note on 4th axis (and 5th) stock removal simulation:

Joakim mentioned to me that this simulation feature is a current focus of development and is in the optimization stage with release not far in the future.

This is a good video showing progress:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj5UBRWfMBo

Best regards,
Bruce