I hope someone can help. I have tried every combination of G40, G41 and G42 (the 3 G's ) and it seems that the cutter follows the outline of the gear I'm trying to cut with no tool offset.
If I make an etching of the outline of the gear, it comes out perfectly. But I need to cut out the gear.
Remember that even though many of you feel this is an old subject, there are hundreds of newbee's every month or week. We new arrivals still need help which may be old to you.
I run G40 at the end of every program to clear offsetting. Does there need to be anything other than a line number, space, and then "G40" on the line?
How early in the program can G41 or G42 be placed (obviously before any cutter moves) and does there
need to be anything else on the line besides the line #, space and "G41 or G42"?
The gear is cut clockwise, so I would want to keep the tool to the left of the workpiece (correct?)
I have tried both right and left lead in moves, no difference.
I have tried both G41 and G42 in every configuration I could think of, no difference.
I always clear the offset with G40 first when changing.
I have entered one or the other, the diameter or the radius, on the "run" page, no difference.
The tool is definitely not too large for the gear.
The gear is involute, 8 teeth, .5 in. tooth to tooth, 20 degrees pressure, all the normal stuff.
Does the tool length need an entry to make the offset work?
I use a 25.4 multiplier for x,y and z on the "run" screen since that was the only way I found that let me work in inches with the cad software I am using.
By the way, the multipiers are not saved, what a bummer.
I've tried all combinations I can think of so there has to be something I don't know about.
I have tried it with no "G"'s at all, same effect (as expected).
Using any combination of the 3G's and diameter or radius seems to make no difference at all.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated before I pull the remaining hair out of my head,
Thanks in advance,
Jim Gray