CAD CAM EDM DRO - Yahoo Group Archive

cutting complex curves (ref G02, G03)

Posted by Joe Vicars
on 2000-02-07 11:06:41 UTC
In reference to the latest talk about circular interpolation. I
have a shape that I need to cut that can be described as an internal
cam. The surface is a mathematically generated continuous function.
Each point is tangent continuous with each successive point and the
radii and center positions vary continuously. There are 4 points of
inflection.
How do I translate this "spline" into G-code that my shareware
controller can cut? In theory, I would be generating an infinite number
of circular arcs with the length of each arc infinitely small.
I have tried some software demos (G-code95) and they simply generate
a G01 with a long list of X, Y coordinates afterwards. This linear
interpolation has the unhappy effect of producing a faceted surface,
unsuitable for cams.
Does anyone know of some inexpensive G-code generators that will
G02/03 from splines? And can you control the "resolution" of the
individual arc segments. Will an over-sized G-code file crash the
software controllers?
Right now I am using Kevin Carrol's "Stepster" as my controller.
Any thoughts?

Discussion Thread

Joe Vicars 2000-02-07 11:06:41 UTC cutting complex curves (ref G02, G03) Fred Smith 2000-02-07 12:47:07 UTC Re: cutting complex curves (ref G02, G03) Jon Elson 2000-02-07 21:29:55 UTC Re: cutting complex curves (ref G02, G03)