Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: milling pockets with EMC

Fred Smith wrote:

>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@p...> wrote:
>
>
>>>Fred Smith wrote:
>>>
>>>You don't use cutter compensation for pocket roughing. Just for
>>>
>>>
>the
>
>
>>>finish pass.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>Well, actually, I HAVE done some roughing by using a tool table
>>
>>
>size greater
>
>
>>than the cutter's actual diameter for the roughing passes, and
>>
>>
>then changing
>
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>>the diameter setting in the tool table to the right value for the
>>
>>
>finish
>
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>>pass.
>>This was actually roughing the OUTSIDE of a part outline, not a
>>
>>
>pocket.
>
>In other words, you ran multiple finish passes using different
>cutter sizes? Neither of which included sharp internal angled turns
>sharper than the radius of your cutter.
>
>

Yes, essentially. I had to think about the effect different tool radius
settings
would have on the toolpath, and make the lead-in and lead-out points, as
well
as all part outline radii, such that I wouldn't get a gouge that the control
would complain about. I did not actually use different TOOL SIZES, I
just TOLD
the control that the sizes were different, by a modest amount. So, for
a .500"
cutter, I would start telling the control the tool was .550" diameter,
then maybe
.520", and then finally .500 (or perhaps .498") to cut the final part
outline.
All this done with the exact same G-code, and the exact same tool. The only
difference being the tool size given in the tool table.

Jon