Re: I need help defining cutter compensation (Offset?) in Dolphin CAD/CAM

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., glee@i... wrote:

>
> First off, I am a newbie so please forgive the question as I am

sure this

> is basic stuff..
>
> I have recently started using Dolphin and I am very pleased with

what I

> have been able to do and the ease of use. So far, most of the

problems I

> have faced, I have been able to resolve myself either through the

manual,

> help file or trial and error. This one stumps me but largely

because I

> don;t fully understand the concept. I suppose I would have this

problem

> with any product until I get the concepts down.
>
> Here goes:
>
> I am using Dolphin CAD/CAM and I have defined a pay (say it is a 1"

square)

> that I want to cut to .125"
>
> I have drawn my square in the CAD Module and then I defined my

contour.

>
> Next I went into CAM and defined a tool (1/8" End Mill) and

selected the

> tool to apply to the cut.
>
> I generate the G-Code effortlessly and put it onto a floppy to take

to the

> shop.
>
> In the shop (I'm using an AhHa controller with a Sherline Mill) I

load the

> file from the diskette onto the hard drive and run the part.
>
> The part came out just fine. When I go to measure it I find that

the part

> was cut on centerline. (I hope I described this with the right

words) In

> other words, if I asked for a 1" square and I am using a 1/8"

cutter, what

> I get is a square that is actually 1/16" smaller on all sides.
>
> I assume that somewhere, I missed a step either in setup of my

system or in

> defining the contour. I imagine that I am supposed to somehow tell

the

> system if I want the cut to be to the right, left or on centerline??
>
> In terms of vocabulary, I am not sure if this is called offset or
> compensation of if those mean the same...
>
> Again, I may not be asking this question properly but hopefully I

have

> revealed enough that some of you with more experience can help me

out.

>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Eric Mack

Some cam software will output the compensation built into the tool
path itself, most of it,some will require that the tool radius
compensation needs to be input in the tool setup right in the machine
controller or software controller.look at the gcode and see if you
can find g41 or g42 at the beginning of the program,if not check the
program for an extra 1/16 on the tool path.
you'll need to especifie a 1/8 tool at the cam software to have the
part 1" square.