Hi Owen,
There are a couple of methods to program this exercise
1- create the geometry on the surface, then drive the tool using this new geometry
2- create the geometry on a flat plane, driving your toolpaths around this geometry, then wrap the paths on a known radius ( your part )
for both methods -
-start by creating a rectangle to represent the surface laid out flat
in TOP view ( rect. size X=width of surface, Y = circumference ), in this area place your text. your text will end up being vertical and on Z0 plane
method 1- select all entities and roll ( wrap ) around Y axis at the correct radius ( new text will be created on the surface ). Use the new text to drive the tool. ( comp=off, Z depth Z0 incr. = tooltip is on the text, -value cuts below the text, Rotary Axis is on Y, lead in/out= off )
Method 2- select all original text, same settings as above, BUT, Rotary Axis substitute Y with C and input the part radius. ( toolpath verify should show your tool engraving on the OD )
Moving the original text in Y alters the placement of the letters on the OD.
Engraving a point at X0Y0 ( drawn TOP ) will place it at the 3 o'clock postion ( C270 degs from TOP )
BTW. this rectangle represents 360 degrees rotation. So a 1/4 of it is equal to 90 deg. ( file this under "useless info" ).
( I'm working here from memory, at home, please forgive me if I have missed something ).
Steve  |