Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Dolphin Turning and Masterscamming

Hi John:
Thanks for the review; it's always the most useful, in my opinion to get
a rundown from a guy who actually has to make parts for a living from a
program.
I have a specific question; do you know if it's possible (and easy!!!) to
define a custom tool in the lathe program?
It's possible in Master-scam, but excruciating, and the process is badly
counterintuitive.
I turn a lot of tiny profiles with tiny custom-ground ballnose tools, and
most lathe programs are heavy on standard insert tooling, which is useless
to me.
I've been looking for a while, and haven't seen anything that impresses me
at all, for this application.
I'd also love to come up with a Mastercam post that allows me to use my
VMC's as vertical lathes.
I've hand coded a few jobs, but it's a pain in the rear.
Any brilliant programmers out there that could point me in the right
direction for something like this?
Cheers

Marcus

----- Original Message -----
From: "stevenson_engineers" <machines@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 7:02 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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