Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Software for wire EDM control?

Hi Ray,

If I've got this correctly, you could only cut square sided parts with
this "slave" process. Sort of like a plasma table? If the UV axis pair
is above the XY axis pair (I'm guessing here), cutting a circular "plug"
with the WEDM would be possible by slaving the axis as you suggest.
However, if one wanted to cut a tapered plug, then the XY axis would be
cutting a different diameter then the UV axis. This would require (as
far as I can tell) a PAIR of arcs to be calculated, not just one. If
one is satisfied with using line segments as an approximation of a
circle (a LOT more line segments and Gcode blocks), then moving all four
axis in a coordinated move could accomplish the same thing. Depends on
how fine the "cords" are.

Of course, simple cylinders and tapered objects can only go so far.
Cutting a boat hull or aircraft wing would take some fancy moves on the
part of the wire. I'm not at all sure how THESE tool paths (wire
paths?) are generated!

Alan KM6VV


Raymond Heckert wrote:

>
> So, why can't you just have an ordinary X-Y axis pair, 'slaved' to a X'-Y'
> set of axes? i.e. make one set sub-ordinate to the other?
>
> RayHex
>
> ----------
> > From: Tony Jeffree <tony@...>
> >
> > Hi Alan -
> >
> > Not quite, I'm afraid. What I am talking about is *wire* EDM - imagine a
> > cheese cutter wire held top & bottom, being used to take a slice through
> a
> > metal part. Rather a different (although in some ways related) problem,
> as
> > the NC has to be able to control the X/Y position of *both ends* of the
> > wire, not just the Z position of a point electrode.
>