[viroy]

ohhh i totally missed that.
The length of the cue while on the 4-th axis rotary, runs down the Y-axis.

I did program the turn-mill operation in SolidCam with the coord system running Y-axis down the long axis of the rotary.
Made sure both solidworks and solidcam coord systems matched.

Why would it give a C-xis output then?

Also, do you have a better post processor I can use?

[adidoro]

I use Camworks, not Solidcam.

[viroy]

ok finally got access to a station with Solidworks 2020 & camworks 2020
I could only get limited help so learned what I could from youtube.
So far I have nearly gotten it to work using multi-axis milling, however I'm getting these weird squiggly toolpaths at the end of the pocket.
Here are screen pics of the result along with the setup
Attachment 492202Attachment 492204
Attachment 492210Attachment 492208Attachment 492206

[adidoro]

The Z is UP, so the tool need to enter from side in the pocket, i think. How is your setup oriented? In multi-axis you need to set 4 axis in your case at Axis Control tab. In general for simple feature is better to make the setup with the feature UP and do 3 axis milling, or you want to mill with the side of the milling cutter? Multi-axis is full of features and powerful but need a learning curve and many hours of practice.
Edit:
In picture no. 4 "link" you have set retract to clearance, but you need to link those lines of tool-path. Click on that percentage mark % to switch to mm and add some value between tool-paths where gap is <= with your number set follow surfaces.
The picture from that tab when you select that gap change and is self explanatory.

[viroy]

[viroy]

Tried setting it as you show, the 'links between passes' is greyed out, cannot modify anything on that.
Attachment 492234

[viroy]

This is a pool cue... so its a tapered cylinder with 2 spiraling pockets... im only trying to mill one of them right now.
The floor of the pocket is the same height to the center of axis, not tapered, that way I can use a square endmill.

[viroy]

Just playing with settings.... on the axis tab, setting 'contact point' to 'auto' does this...
The pocket is the proper width except for that wild squiggly


Switching to 'at center' does this.... looks good, except thats a 10mm tool, so its milling way outside the pocket

[adidoro]

I modeled something similar and made a test toolpath.

Attachment 492268

My version is solidworks with camworks 2021, so if I share the file you can't open.
If you share yours I can tell you what is wrong, much easier...

[viroy]

Here it is

[adidoro]

Here it is

First of all your 10mm tool can`t enter in a 10mm slot that is swept cut.
Changed to 8mm. If you want to use 10mm tool you need to enlarge the pocket, or use projection curve to generate a single line toolpath.
Now back to 8mm tool here are the settings.

Pattern - Flowline Betwen Curves - you need to select only longitudinal curves parallel to cuts, 1 curve upper and 1 curve lower from botom of pocket.

Gouge Checking - at check against tick other surfaces, click on dots and create feature, select all surfaces, then select avoid feature.

Advanced - is to rotate toolpath to not make another toolpath for second pocket. If use Advanced check Links with Advanced.

If I missed somthing you can ask.

Attachment 492286Attachment 492288Attachment 492290Attachment 492292Attachment 492294Attachment 492296Attachment 492298Attachment 492300

[adidoro]

And here are the results, I can't upload them on previous post because of the 8 images limit per post.
Attachment 492302Attachment 492304

[viroy]

I dont know whats going on, i setup everything as you have shown, but when i generate toolpath, there must be something wrong... no option to simulate appears and its not showing any toolpaths.
its not giving any error i can find, not sure how to tell whats wrong

I am using an 8mm endmill
for the gouge check, other surfaces... other than the cylinder face, should i also be selecting the ends of the cylinder?
also should I select the inside walls of the pockets so the only thing not selected is the floor of the pockets?

[adidoro]

I dont know whats going on, i setup everything as you have shown, but when i generate toolpath, there must be something wrong... no option to simulate appears and its not showing any toolpaths.
its not giving any error i can find, not sure how to tell whats wrong

I am using an 8mm endmill
for the gouge check, other surfaces... other than the cylinder face, should i also be selecting the ends of the cylinder?
also should I select the inside walls of the pockets so the only thing not selected is the floor of the pockets?

I said all surfaces defined as avoid, and then selected as avoid area. I will post some picture. Most important part was the 2 curve selection...

[adidoro]

Here they are...

Attachment 492348Attachment 492350Attachment 492352

Also pay attention in every window posted before at each setting and tick, are many changes from your original file.

Edit: Make sure you select at Pattern - Flowline Betwen Curves the upper and lower curve from same pocket that was selected as feature to machine.

[viroy]

ahh I was setting the pattern upper as the top edge of pocket, and bottom edge for lower
Also fixed the avoid selection to every surface

Here is what I get now... very close
I've triple checked all the settings

Attachment 492354
Attachment 492356

[adidoro]

That is close enough, the following surface at the end will not affect the part but is from LINKS, try setting lower values and the tool will rise and plunge again, as in my toolpath.
Edit: And for the link between passes, third option in LINKS to be both retract to clearance and none for entry/exit.

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...0&d=1682841118

Also pay attention to this: https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...6&d=1682841006 do not check point tool to rotarry axis.

I've triple checked all the settings

Not the number is important, but the attention to all the details.

[viroy]

Thanks so much for all the help!
I will play around with this and let ya know the results ... might change to a 5mm to get more of the inside pocket corners

[viroy]

hmm I cannot seem to get rid of that gouge.
It leaves a shelf inside the pocket along one side, and a big one at one end.
It's the first cut (the blue line way out on its own), its very shallow and the follow up cuts do not remove the rest.

[viroy]

If I change the surface deviation to .2mm, it removes the wall gouge, but still has the pocket shelf.
I'm also assuming it reduces the pocket width? so a 10mm wide pocket goes to 9.6mm?