I need to turn some shallow 'inward' arcs- a bit like a file handle-- in bar stock.
I've read the Lathe Arc Motion document several times but it's pretty difficult stuff.

As an example, an arc 50mm in length from z-10 to z-60 (so G03 anticlockwise?) at a radius of 600mm in 20mm diam. stock.

I thought this would do it, assuming the cutter is already at X20,Z-10:

G03 X20 Z-60 R600

When I tried this on the MDI ( just simulation) the Z value is getting bigger (closer to zero) so something is wrong. I have ticked 'Reverse Arcs in Front Post' in the config, before that X was also getting bigger.

Any suggestions? I am probably missing something obvious, not for the first time.

Thanks for any comments
Richard

Try with G2

Hood

I've read the Lathe Arc Motion document several times but it's pretty difficult stuff.

I know what you mean and I wrote it......
The document covers a lot of information and one needs to study it. Now the fun stuff was done just to show
all the different combinations depending on how the code is written for different combinations. You can just extract each part of code
and play with it . Put all together the Radius Arc Moves code just does a bunch of moves going one direction and then back.

No wonder I decided to just buy a lathe package.

I like Newton's viewpoint.....if one can write it done on a piece of paper why keep it in your egg / head......well not quite a qoute but you get the gest!

RICH

This seems to do the trick:
G18 G21 G40 G49 G64 G80 G90 G94
G0 X0 Z0
G1 X20 F200
G1 Z-10
G2 X20 Z-50 R100
G1 Z-30

This was done by substituting my values into one of the routines at the end of the Arc Motion document, also same as Hood's suggestion. However it only works with the 'reversed arcs in front toolpost' box unticked in Config. This is a bit of a pain because I have other arc routines written with the wizard and I think they won't work now. However, it would be easy enough to change the config when I need to use those routines.
The important thing is that having got something to work, I can play about with the other sample programs knowing that I have a fallback position.

So, thanks to Hood and Rich, not for the first time!

BTW Rich, I would buy a lathe CAM package but I actually work in wood (making bagpipes) and much cutting is done using a parting off tool, using the sides of the tool in both Z+ and Z- directions. This would make any metalworker wince and is not catered for in any normal CAM package!

Cheers
Richard

This would make any metalworker wince and is not catered for in any normal CAM package!

Not at all, there are tools specifically meant for grooving and turning, normally called MDT (Multi Direction Turning) tools. I have one from Seco and use it at times for odd shapes.
Heres a tool path showing one being used in Dolphin.
Hood

And here is the toolpath it would take.
Hood

Richard,
LazyTurn is free, has a manual / is documented, and does outside profiles. Have a try as it may just do all you need to do.
As far as the tool is concerned you can create a parting tool and define what side the cutting edge is.

You need to pay attention to the figures in the Arc Motion write up. Figure 9 captures what can influence the generated G code.Figure 16 provides a visual as to g2 / g3 motion for front and rear tool post. Thus a lot of combinations and different motion.

RICH

BTW,
Once you have the shape done, and if you have a drilling device which you can install on the carriage, then you can drill holes using the lathe macro drilling cycles, thus not have to remove the pipe from the lathe.
Just a thought,
RICH

Quote

This would make any metalworker wince and is not catered for in any normal CAM package!

Not at all, there are tools specifically meant for grooving and turning, normally called MDT (Multi Direction Turning) tools. I have one from Seco and use it at times for odd shapes.
Heres a tool path showing one being used in Dolphin.
Hood

Didn't know that- that's really what I'm doing with a parting tool sharpened down the sides. I have a demo of Dolphin but I can't get into it somehow, it's faster to write the fairly simple code by hand. I use Sheetcam on the mill and am more or less OK on that.
Cheers
Richard

Richard,
LazyTurn is free, has a manual / is documented, and does outside profiles. Have a try as it may just do all you need to do.
As far as the tool is concerned you can create a parting tool and define what side the cutting edge is.

You need to pay attention to the figures in the Arc Motion write up. Figure 9 captures what can influence the generated G code.Figure 16 provides a visual as to g2 / g3 motion for front and rear tool post. Thus a lot of combinations and different motion.

RICH

Lazyturn would do what I want but for some reason the post isn't working, it just produces an empty file. I'll take another look.
The Arc Motion doc. is great, I just need to go very slowly!
I'm making all these bits by hand right now, but it's catch-22- CNC is much faster but I have to stop making stuff to teach myself, and time is short.
Cheers
Richard