Dolphin Turning

I had a chance to have a look and play with the new Dolphin windows
turning module tonight, [ Thanks Mike ]
In an earlier post last week I stated that other than cosmetically I
couldn't see how they could alter this.
Well they have done so. Loads of new features for both the hobby guys
and the full blown commercial guys.
Quick rundown. Very simple screen layout like the mill program. Just
the part profile on the screen. No offsets, no approach paths, nice
and uncluttered.
I've put some screen shots on my web space
First one is http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/turn1.jpg
This shows the basic screen layout, selected tools in the top list,
operations selected from the left hand tool bar in the second list
and profile [ hidden by dialog box ] on the main screen.
The dialog box is for the first operation, Select tool.
This gives the tool choice from a database and it also has a constant
spindle speed or constant surface speed option.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/turn2.jpg Shows a turning and
facing cycle shot. In this you have the choice of either entering the
start / end points or selecting a profile. If you are working from a
casting you can also define the outer profile.
Simple radio buttons define turn or face, internal or external shapes.
Machining allowance and depth is all by dialog box, no having to draw
the contour.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/turn3.jpg Is the grooving or
trepanning operation. Basically the same as the boring dialog box but
with a plunge cutting option.
You also get the option to machine chamfers or radii on the lip or
root of the groove in any combination you want. Again no need to draw
these the dialog box will take care of this. Also able to do a wider
groove than the tool as it uses to tool information in the program.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/turn4.jpg Shows the screw
cutting option. Choice of lead, pitch or TPI to handle all thread
types with no having to convert. Number of starts, feed angle,
external / internal again all by dialog box.
Number of roughing cuts and finish cuts all automatic.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/turn5.jpg Is a screen shot of
the simulation window. It takes the simple profile and machines it
away so you get an exact machined part.
This shot was captured just at the end of the roughing screw cut
cycle.

First impression are of a clean and functional program. No having to
mess about, everything is in the program and the post is only
generated when you are happy with the program.
I can see industry being very pleased with this as it's very
functional. It far surpasses Mastercam lathe in functionality.

John S.