Cam software with 3-Axis undercut support

[jrobson]

Hi

On this document, Page 8 it describes how an undercut is performed: http://www.mastercam.com/CamZone/New...2003-final.pdf

What other CAM software supports undercut operations in 3-Axis mode? Or put it this way, what is the cheapest CAM package that supports this function?

Regards,
Jonathan.

[jrobson]

Want to add, it is for 3d with a imported surface, will use a lollipop cutter, can rough with Surfcam, but Surfcam doesn't support undercutting in 3-axis mode, so need a cheap package to just do a Z-Level finish.

[moldcore]

I’ve done it with Surfcam using a lollypop cutter and radius keyway cutters. Just pick an individual surface, one at a time, and set the gouge check to none and watch your feed in and feed out settings. It’s not as automated like the new Mastercam you reference to above but it will work on single surfaces. As far as I know, multiple surface operations will look for gouge avoidance and won’t go undercut with no way of turning it off.

[jrobson]

I'm using a single surface, it's a curved port/hole, I've tried for hours, and have been told it won't work. Sadly though MC has had this "feature" since 2003, Surfcam should just give you the option to use the shank instead of the tool for gouge avoidance, it would solve the problem.

[CNCRim]

Sometime long hand program is need it, even with expensive software. I guess you have to mipulate the geometry.

[BurrMan]

Originally Posted by jrobson Want to add, it is for 3d with a imported surface, will use a lollipop cutter, can rough with Surfcam, but Surfcam doesn't support undercutting in 3-axis mode, so need a cheap package to just do a Z-Level finish.

Could you fake it with 2d operations? I dont know mastercam so cant really direct you.

Can you post the surface in question here?

If your just doing a z level finish with soem kind of step, you could project some geometry onto the surface at your stepover, then just run profiles on that geometry?

Just thinking out loud.

[BurrMan]

So I guess it would look something like this:









Create as many as you wanted for your stepover resolution. You would just have to manually know that the tool selected is providing the shank clearance at the bottom profile.

Any thoughts?

[jrobson]

Hi, thank you for the help so far!

Yes it is probably possible to do it via 2d countours, but time consuming as well.

Here is the entry


I might be able to get a local guy to help me out with a mastercam generated path instead, but haven't spoken to him for years so...

I have a friend who uses Edgecam, I haven't asked him yet if Edgecam can do it, that could be another possibility, but if one of these cheap 3d art cam packages can also do it then I'd rather get that and finish it with those paths.

[BurrMan]

OIC,

I was also under the impression that it was an "open surface" like I showed. Much different impression with the pictures posted.

Can you seperate out your inner surface from the model and save it out to an iges or step file to post here? Just save the file to a new name and delete everything except that surface.

[jrobson]

See below.

[jrobson]

Here is something similar attached. My friend says he is sure Edgecam also supports but he'll have a look since he's never tried it on 3-axis, they have 5-axis.

[moldcore]

Okay, we have the shape, now what size/shape of cutter are you trying to program? How deep are you trying to go into the port? I’m not sure you’ll find a cutter capable of doing this whole port in its present position regardless of the program you use. Even a .500 dia. with a .250 dia. shank won’t do this unless you tilt the hole some or use a 5 axis machine. What version of Surfcam are you using?
Try posting questions about Surfcam in the Surfcam forum. I check the Surfcam forum almost daily but rarely check this forum and I’m sure other Surfcam users only check that forum.