Re: Re: True 4th Axis milling

> Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 11:55:17 -0700
> From: Brian Pitt <bfp@...>
>Subject: Re: Re: True 4th Axis milling
>
>
>fred
>
>about the #2 method in Vector
>could that cut say a 'J' shaped cam grove onto a cylinder using
>a cutter with a diameter smaller than the grove width and still keep the
>sidewalls of the grove parallel?
>

I would cut the long straight part of the J in X-Y-Z mode, then switch
to a zig-zag with the rotary around the curved part with X-Z-A. You
have to be able to draw it & the drawing must be machinable for it to work.
A groove parallel to the X axis cannot use the rotary because the
cutter will make a cut that has radial sides, and you need to have
parallel sides. It is fairly easy to cut that with long straight passes,
but when it comes time to cut the curved part of the J, you won't be
able to turn the corner, even with the "to size" cutter without having
some interference effect on the vertical side walls in that area. It will
remove a little extra, but probably won't affect the mechanism too much.
Vector will try to keep the tangency point of cut oriented between the cutter
centerline and the centerline of the rotary axis.


Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService
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