I want to make a few AR-15 lower receivers for personal use out of 6061 T6 billet. I've got the .igs file and can import it into FeatureCAM fine, set the stock dimensions fine, etc., but when I try to use feature recognition, it tells me that it won't be able to machine the part because my company didn't opt for the mill3D option....we only have turn, turn/mill and mill2.5D. There's GOT to be a way that I can machine this part, but I'm so new to CAM software that I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can anyone here lend me a hand?

I can also send the .igs file to anyone with enough time to help me. This will be machined on an older Toyoda FH45 horizontal with a FANUC11 controller and a 5K RPM spindle. When the FeatureCAM guys were there working on my post, they machined one of their demos to make sure that everything works....their "bottle mold." It looks like I could use whatever programming they used for this part, but I can't seem to figure it out.

For what it's worth, here was my plan:

drill all holes first
6" flycutter to face to a depth of .010 away from the finished face:
.750 3FL carbide e.m. to rough the outline and profile
.500 4FL carbide ball e.m. to rough the contour/profile of the face
.250 4FL carbide ball e.m. with a .004 stepover to finish profile the face

Any help/ideas/suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
-WRM

Use the .igs file to make a solid or curves, then features and post your code. I don't have the time to step by step this. That is the way those of us who did'nt have FR did it every day. Go to the help file and check out curves from 3D file or something like that.
Gary

Use the .igs file to make a solid or curves, then features and post your code. I don't have the time to step by step this. That is the way those of us who did'nt have FR did it every day. Go to the help file and check out curves from 3D file or something like that.
Gary

Thanks Gary, I think I've found what you're talking about.

-WRM

I would like to get a copy of the .iges file if you dont mind. Featurecam likes .stl files alittle better if your using feature rec. gcoder72@hotmail.com

if you would like to send me the iges i can see what i can do to help
there are several options that can be taken instead of AFR or even recognition
i can give you all the curves or even the geometry
or i can send you an FM of the part with the features created and you can post to your processor
Rick

rlhuddleston@hotmail.com