Hello Guest it is April 16, 2024, 05:27:23 PM

Author Topic: 3D tool-path software for milling with discs instead of cylindrical tools?  (Read 2124 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Frank1959

*
  •  38 38
  • Do it, it´ll free your mind.
    • View Profile
    • Monumental Sculpture
I mill polystyrene to make the occasional theatre or museum prop, and sometimes even dinosaurs and the like, on a home built 4 axis machine, using MACH3,   and DESKPROTO to create  tool paths. Check out http://www.formato3d.com/ One big step to achieve faster finishing came with the addition of a hot wire roughing sequence, made possible using a work around within DESKPROTO  that BR549 very kindly suggested.

I´m a sculptor, (www.franknorton.com) and my current project is  to build a machine capable of milling stone, obviously super-rigid and a much more powerful spindle. Initially it will be 3 axis plus rotary, but with a view to 5 axis. I want to do bas-reliefs in marble and sandstone.
Industrial software packages like ALPHACAM STONE   for tool-path generation in the stone and granite  sector have a function where they use diamond coated discs, the smaller ones in the region of 12”/300mm in diameter,  to rough “mill” the block of stone, the surplus material  is then removed manually by hammer and chisel!...before true milling with diamond and tungsten carbide tools. This greatly reduces working time.
But I know of no software...DESKPROTO definetely cant...that allows you to configure a disc as a tool for roughing out in this way.
Failing the use of a specific program which includes discs in the tool library, any tool-path 3D software where all the tool geometry parameters are configurable....diameter in both planes for example, or diameter in one plane and thickness in the other......would do.
Any ideas?
Many thanks in advance,

Frank Norton.
Hi,
this may not be of huge value to you given the price of the solution that I am going to suggest.

Mastercam allows you to construct a profile of a custom tool. I have, or rather had, when I had access to Mastercam,
a cutoff disc.

I would guess some of the high end Cam packages would allow you a similar feature, namely to construct a custom tool.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'

Offline Frank1959

*
  •  38 38
  • Do it, it´ll free your mind.
    • View Profile
    • Monumental Sculpture
Thanks Craig,
yes and no, obviously the price of MASTERCAM   is over the top for my present level of expenditure, but yes, it might point in the right direction...i.e. a software that allows you to profile a custom tool. Nice one!
Frank.
(Ps, love your sense of humour re wife and best friend ;D)
Hi,
BobCad has the same feature.

It would appear that Fusion 360 has the ability to define custom tools including a slot mill type, of which a disc is just
a logical extension.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'

Offline Frank1959

*
  •  38 38
  • Do it, it´ll free your mind.
    • View Profile
    • Monumental Sculpture
many thanks,

again!

Will let you know,

f
Hi.
apparently VisualMill Standard ($1500) has the ability of the user to define a half profile which is revolved into a custom tool
much like Mastercam.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Hi,
Vetric Aspire has the ability also according to the advertising material.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Hi,
apparently Vcarve Desktop ($350) and Vcarve Pro ($600) have the same feature.

Quote
Form Tools - custom shaped cutter profiles

The software allows you to add your own custom tools shapes to the tool library and generate toolpaths and simulate the finished result!

Now you can simulate the effects of complex Roman Ogee cutters, Round Over bits and any other custom tool shape you desire. Simply draw the tool profile using the vector drawing tools or import the profile from the manufacturer and you can add your custom tool to the list. In the tool database you can specify feed rates, spindle speeds, cutting depths etc. in the same way that you do for any of the standard tool types.



Vectric Form Tools

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'

Offline ger21

*
  • *
  •  6,295 6,295
    • View Profile
    • The CNC Woodworker
No, Vectric products won't do this. They only allow standard type end mill/router bits. And they don't support tools with undercuts, either.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Hi Gerry,
interesting, the quote in my previous post was from the Vectric site.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'