Messages

4751

LazyTurn / Re: LazyTurn

« on: March 24, 2010, 08:23:20 PM »

ART,
Why kill yourself trying to get that data from what's leftover?
I would have thought that you would take the dxf info and manipulate it some .
What does LazyCam do to get just the profile for example? 
I guess what i am saying is that at some point in the program you call it quits for pathing and then heres the profile cut.
Thinking here, ie; that if it took four tools to create the finish passes,  it will take four tools to do just a profile. and they will need to end their pathing at the same points to avoid collisions. So the profile ends up being broken up into segments or you just give the code for the profile in one shot and let it up to the user to place tools appropriately to cut it.

May be a good work around until you can figure out the complexities you mention.

RICH

4752

FAQs / Re: Trying to use LazyCam for first time..

« on: March 24, 2010, 06:45:12 PM »

Annette,
You will find the Lazycam Manual in Members Docs, here is the link.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12078.msg77415.html#msg77415
RICH

4753

LazyTurn / Re: LazyTurn

« on: March 24, 2010, 03:10:19 PM »

ART,
Just a few thoughts on the finish pass which would include the arc code:

Maybe tolerance shouldn't be an issue at all in some cases of the profile. After the profile is whittled down to say with-in some high point of material left, the program then just provides the profile pass with the arc coding and maybe a repeat of it / spring pass. Say there is a bump left from the finish passes, it will be removed with the arc coded pass. Depending on the material, say it was stainless, the user may deliberately want to leave some amount so it cuts thru the work hardened material.

Practicaly speaking ( only for myself ) i don't remember ever having to place a "high level tolerance" on some wierd profiled
piece. If the designer gave me a drawing on it i would probably ask him what he was smoking lately! I am thinking here something like a decorative spindle and you would have a very difficult time measuring it. Not sure any program is smart enough to account for bad / impractical design in the first place.  

Now a ball ended shaft is a different story in that the user is after something specific and it's not based on some goofy
grouping of arcs. But you do want accurate arc coding for that kind of stuff.

I guess what i am saying is that at some point after the rough / rough finish/ the program just gives the arc coded pass
and a smoothed out curve for something decorative which is relatively true. Heck that's what the person did in CAD anyway and the cad influenced it.

Maybe the above can make  your job easier. BTW, a lot of drawn profiles will require tool changes just to accomplish it unless it's a "point tool" which will work for the complete profile pass.

RICH

4754

LazyTurn / Re: LazyTurn

« on: March 24, 2010, 10:29:27 AM »

ART,
How is the finish pass progressing?

RICH

4755

Tangent Corner / Re: Gear cutting end mill search

« on: March 24, 2010, 09:46:25 AM »

I echo Sam's reply.
I modified a small fly holder such that the cutter would be parrallel to the table and ran it at 1000 to 2000 rpm.
That's the reason for the dimensioning of the cutter since you to need to accurately set it up. They were done quite accurately with the proper point width for the correct total depth. For small stuff / model work they do the trick. We have used then to cut timing belt gears ( that's different story!). Actualy you can just use the spead sheet and find a close radius and mill the radius but then it would be used only for matching gears sets. I will note that probably better to just buy a gear cutter otherwise if accurate tooth profile / engagement is required as it does take time to make them.
RICH

4756

Tangent Corner / Re: Gear cutting end mill search

« on: March 23, 2010, 11:31:39 PM »

Scott,
Here is a link which shows some gear cutters that i have made and used. There are actualy two posts and the first post shows how the bit was set and cut. They work fine but it does take time to make them.
Guess it's better than spending $25 a crack when you need one.
There was an arcticle on how to make the ones that that guy is seeking a patent for ( Pracatical Machinist Magazine some time ago )

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,8118.msg51321.html#msg51321
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,8120.msg51325.html#msg51325

FWIW,
RICH

4757

General Mach Discussion / Re: Arc's in planes other than G17

« on: March 23, 2010, 12:19:37 PM »

I wish you luck in your search for alternative software and programing endeavors.

RICH

4758

General Mach Discussion / Re: Arc's in planes other than G17

« on: March 22, 2010, 10:27:19 PM »

You may want to take a look at Mach3 Turn Arc motion write up which can be found in the Members Docs as it goes
into a lot of detail and explaination about arcs for the lathe which uses G18.

As far as cutting a helix as a continous motion, i have done that using an indexer. In a sense you can cut a helix using
a threading code. Some of the wrapping programs provide code but it breaks the helix into small straight line segments.

FWIW,
RICH  

4759

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: LAZYCAM "BACKGROUND COLOR" HATERS

« on: March 22, 2010, 12:28:28 PM »

There is nothing that i am aware of to change colors in the program.
RICH

4760

Tangent Corner / Re: Holding down thin workpieces

« on: March 22, 2010, 12:26:30 PM »

Carpet tape the piece to a backing material or add additional clamping.
RICH