PLEASE HELP!

[HammarskjoldCNC]

I'm currently working on a summative project for my grade 12 manufacturing Engineering Technology class, and it's going to be a "twisted block" (imagine taking a rectangular prism and "twisting it" one quarter turn). I am designing it on AutoCAD LT 2000i, and cutting it on a 3-axis Haas Mini-Mill.

I have most of the drafting done, but I've hit a roadblock: Since I'm using a 2-d drafting program to plot this, I need to figure out a few things. I dont have the luxury of tangency or loft functions, so in order to cut the 3-d "flutes", i need to know how to program arcs in the z-axis (universal G-Code). Also, was wondering if it is possible for the haas to cut both an arc in the x-y plane AND the z-axis at the same time.

If ANYONE can help me with this I would be very grateful. Just drop me an example-line of code (e.g. "z-0.200; g03 z-0.350 r.315" etc. etc...)


Thank You

-James

[HammarskjoldCNC]

P.S: I can send the autocad .dxf files if you would like them as a reference.

thanks

[Chuck Reamer]

Try downloading a trial version of Bobcad, I am not sure if you can produce code with it or not but it may be worth looking into.

Programming anything 3-d or complex using Autocad and g-code is just a mental punishment on yourself. You need to work smarter not harder, and Autocad is a dinosaur in the manufacturing world it is a terrible software for a machine shop.

You may even want to contact bobcad or any CAM manufacturer and see if you can get a educational version for your school for free or at least super cheap. I know the folks from bobcad were trying to push a new version on me and they were talking only like $750, so they may be willing to help you and your school out.

[Chuck Reamer]

To program arcs in z should be the same as anything.

g1x0.0z0.0
g3x-1.0z-1.0r2.0

should be something like that(i dont run HAAS anymore), you may need to be in the g19 plane

[cyclestart]

You may even want to contact bobcad or any CAM manufacturer and see if you can get a educational version for your school for free or at least super cheap.

Here's one with a fully functional 30 day demo. As a former Mastercam user I found it clumsy. Maybe someone without CAM preconceptions would get on with it better. It has tutorials built into the main program window(s), a nice touch.
http://www.webersys.com/

Last I saw they had very good (almost free) pricing for students.

I'm suggesting CAM without understanding what a twisted block is exactly. Sounds like something m.c. escher might have drawn