Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Re: True 4th Axis milling

Fred

let me see if I got this right

the long leg of the J as a regular slot/pocket cut (A-axis 'locked')
tool offset +/- in the Y-axis to make up for the smaller dia cutter
-no problem there

for the ends and the large curve at the bottom the Y-axis needs to
be at zero (on centerline) at the top and bottom of the curves
with the tool offset +/- in the X-axis

so there has to be a transition from
X,+/-Y ,A-locked -to- +/-X,Y-zero,A
as the curves approach the centerline

this should be a smooth continuous 4-axis path
I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the 'zig-zag' part

Brian

Fred wrote:

> 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.