z profiling help

[turbothis]

i cant seem to find any info on how to do this.
i have a pistol grip drawn up and are ready to make it cam i think.

any starting points?

[andre-dolphin]

There are two ways to produce a shape in the Z axis using the Z profile method.

1) Create a Contour in XY as normal and associate a Z profile with it

2) Create just the Z profile and extrude it along a line or around an arc.

A Contour is a shape in the XY plane, a Profile is a shape in the Z plane.

From the description of your part, method 1 would be appropriate.

Create the Contour as normal which defines the XY shape, then draw the shape of the side view - dont worry about the CAD being only 2D. Draw the side view anywhere on the paper.

To create the Profile, choose the 3rd icon down on the CNC options toolbar- below Contour - which is labelled Profile.

Choose the start point - normally the top (or highest point in Z) of the profile and complete the dialogue box, NOTE you have to uncheck the box " Shape is closed" having unchecked this when you "OK" the dialogue you have to follow the help messages at the bottom of the screen and indicate the end point of the profile.

Save and link to CAM, define your tool and select it.

Choose Goround and set the parameters, then select the Z Axis tab and click the radio button - Use Z profile.. enter the Profile name you created in CAD. You may alos want to increae the vector tolerance, this controls the coarseness of the shape and the number of passes in Z.

I have attached a couple of examples.

Hope this helps.

Andre

[turbothis]

awsome!
thanks i will give it a try.

[turbothis]

i got an error.....

i want to start and profile between the arrows.

[andre-dolphin]

Can you send me the .dra & .cnc files please.

andre@dolphin.gb.com

Thnks
Andre

[turbothis]

i have no idea on how to do that.........

[harley4ever]

A dra is the actual cad file and cnc is the actual cam file. With both of them you just go to the file menu and click save. Its as simple as it comes.

[dlenardu]

Is there a way to z-profile with an area clear? I tried doing it like andre said, however instead of using the goround i tried to use area clear. In area clear there is no z-profile in the z-axis tab.

[andre-dolphin]

Hello,

Unfortunately there is not an option to perform an area clear in conjunction with a Z profile.

You could achieve a fairly good result by using area clear with a large XY finish allowance and then decreasing this on subsequent area clear ops and adjust the Z depth accordingly.

When the main material has been removed you can use Goround a couple of time with changes to the XY finish allownce.

It's a bit "Heath Robinson" but it can give the desired results.

ATB
Andre

[dlenardu]

Andre,

Sorry you will have to forgive me as I am just now getting familiar with the partmaster system. I'm not sure I follow how adjusting xy finish allowance would help. If I made a larger xy finish allowance wouldn't it basically just focus in the center of the contour? I guess I'm not sure how to incorporate the z-profile in with it.

[andre-dolphin]

I have attached an example that I hope will help.

Note the Vector tolerance on the Goround - Zaxis tab, this controls the coarseness of the Z profile.

This example give an idea of how to combine area clear and goround commands with finishing allowances.

ATB
Andre

[turbothis]

why the 4 go rounds to do the same thing?
they where all the same vector right?

matt