Water-Line Tool Path with BCC

[Kiwi]

I have a part with tapered sides (draft) which I wish to machine with a water-line tool path.
Can this be done with BCC Ver20.7 and how?
Any hints would be appreciated.

[spock]

With 20.7 the closest thing might be the "spiral' path. My expeience with trying to machine drafted walls with it is that it will move up/down in z as it goes around. This leaves a mark in your finish evey time it does this. I never figured out how to get around this, and usually just resorted to radial path, though not as effecient it was consistent on finish.

[tobyaxis]

Kiwi,

I have been doing this for a little while before buying V2007. Try the Tapered Pocket Function, or make a Solid and Slice it into sections then Extract Lines & Arcs to make Pockets. Then use the Pocket Function to Water Line Rough your Part. Finishing will be very time consuming.

That is why I bought V2007, too much work in V20 and V21.

[Kiwi]

Thanks spock and Toby.
I was relying on you Toby to have a workable solution.
As the taper is not important on this job , more an appearance thing, I created a number of offsets which gave me profile lines which I added a Z. Picture attached.
If I'm unhappy with my toolpaths I will give your method a try.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Thanks spock and Toby. I was relying on you Toby to have a workable solution. As the taper is not important on this job , more an appearance thing, I created a number of offsets which gave me profile lines which I added a Z. Picture attached. If I'm unhappy with my toolpaths I will give your method a try.

Kiwi buddy,

Why not take it easy on yourself and buy a Tapered Bull End Mill? Use a regular Rougher first then the Tapered Bull Mill in Depths of Cut to the final Depth.

As you say this is for looks not function.

BTW It looks almost like a Motorcycle Handlebar Mid Section Joint for the Forks, is it??

Cheers!!!!!!!

[Kiwi]

Toby
I don't look for an easy way, only a better way.
Yes, machining a pair of triple clamps for a motorcycle.
I'm satisfied with my toolpaths, the finish has pronounced cusps but this gives a neat look.
Thanks confirming BCC V20.7 dosen't have a waterline feature, I thought it was me not reading the manual properly.
Sounds like V2007 is a much better version.
Cheers