Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: DMBGO on October 26, 2017, 08:32:53 PM

Title: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 26, 2017, 08:32:53 PM
Hi all
I need to make a pipe bender die for 1/2 inch tube, to bend the tube to a 2 inch radius. I assumed there would be a wizard in mach3 turn that does this, but cant find one. Basically it is the mirror image, or reverse of the Od ARC3 wizard that I am trying to achieve. I want what appears as a raised section on the wizard diagram, to be the lowered section with the same dimensions.
I was hoping that someone would know of a wizard, or a method of doing this
Thanks
David
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 27, 2017, 05:42:10 PM
Hi Dave,
sounds more like a CAD/CAM job than a wizard.

I assume you want to turn a semi-circular recess to accommodate the 1/2 inch pipe in the OD of a piece of material?

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 27, 2017, 05:47:31 PM
Yes Joe your description of my desired operation is far better than mine. I must have reached the crossover point between what a wizard can do, and when Cam becomes necessary. I will just use a V pulley for the lower part of the die, and make the top bit by drilling a 1/2 inch hole in a piece of rod and bisect it.
Thanks for the reply.
Dave
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 27, 2017, 06:00:52 PM
Hi Dave,
2 inch radius or 2 inch diameter?

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 28, 2017, 05:58:57 AM
It's a 2 inch radius Craig.
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 28, 2017, 05:59:49 AM
Sorry I called you more before. :)
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 28, 2017, 05:35:44 PM
Hi Dave,
would this code work, I don't have a lathe so I can only simulate it.

I used stock 102mm diameter and allowed 1mm facing cut.

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 28, 2017, 05:41:54 PM
Hi Dave,
sorry just noticed I used the grooving tool for the cutoff, this may make a bit more sense.

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 29, 2017, 05:36:55 AM
Thanks for going to the trouble Craig. I'll give it a go in the morning. I'll let you know. Thanks again.
Dave
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 29, 2017, 06:12:59 PM
I had a look at your code Craig, what software did you use to create it? I am unable to get a graphical representation at all using Mach3. I can download a trial version of what you used, which should show what you have done.
Thanks again for the effort.
Dave
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 29, 2017, 06:53:41 PM
Hi Dave,
I posted Gcode, even the original CAM program can no longer recognise it. A Gcode viewer should.

Break it into parts so that one tool creates one path. The order of ops is Facing, OD roughing, then the
all important grooving op that produces the semicircular recess, the the parting op. My guess is that Mach3
cannot follow the tool changes and cannot therefore draw a toolpath.

When I get home i will post the grooving toolpath.

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 29, 2017, 07:00:05 PM
Thanks Craig, all I really need is the grooving tool path ( I think) This area is one that I have meant for years to learn properly, but there always seems to be another way, usually a compromise though. I don't have my tools setup in Mach, so I just manually change tools etc. I perform the various operations separately. Not the fastest way, but.....
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 29, 2017, 07:01:04 PM
Can you suggest a Gcode viewer?
Please
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 29, 2017, 07:30:51 PM
Hi Dave,
I use NCViewer and sometimes Camotics.

Just had a thought the file I posted had a .nc extension. Try renaming it to something that Mach3 is more likely
to recognise .tap

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on October 29, 2017, 07:39:11 PM
you mean a tubing like this?
I've been working on this cnc bender for my needs.
But, I'm sure not following that code for what my vision is.
good luck

Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: joeaverage on October 30, 2017, 01:54:18 AM
Hi,
that bender of Ya-Nvr-No looks great.

the code I posted works OK with Mach4 but jumbles it in Mach3. Haven't worked out all the options yet. For instance have set feed/rev when posting
the code but not familiar enough with MachTurn to set the appropriate mode...yet.

Craig
Title: Re: Make a pipe bender die
Post by: DMBGO on October 30, 2017, 05:39:35 PM
:) Craig, Ya-Nvr-No's pipe bender looks a bit industrial for me, but a great machine nonetheless. Mach3 seems to be happy with the *.nc extension, but as you say gets a bit confused about the other things that you have in there. In the interim, I have built a pulley based bender, which worked well, then broke, I sourced another heavier duty pulley, so I'll make another. A quote from the movie Babe springs to mind "that'll do pig".