Alpha-cam

[oakleigh]

Does anyone have/know of any 3d (3axis) machining tutorials for alphacam,

ive read through the standard alphacam tutorial on 3d machining and didn't find it very useful.
Ive got a basic understanding of machining 3d in alpha cam, like importing, rotating 3d models and have managed to cut basic 3d, i now have a job to cut in 3d and i need to learn what each section properly means and how to go about using the geometry from a parasolid within alphacam eg like picking the edges, and creating efficient cutting.
The main area i need help with is choosing the correct cutting technique for the model i have..

any help will be extremly useful.

thanks guys,

[ger21]

Finding ANY tutorials for AlphaCAM is extremely difficult. I just started using it about 2 months ago at a new job, and unless you can figure it out from the help file, they want you to pay for training to learn how to use it.

[Boots]

Gerry is right on there. I had to learn Alphacam on my own. Been at it for 4 years now but I haven't done any real 3D work. I only have Advanced Router 2010 R1 but I can do some 3D things with it such as profiled Oval Window Trim and Crown Molding using the Side Profile Feature with ball tools. I would like to get into doing surfaces in 3D but we don't have the machine that will do it any way so I can't justify the extra expence on the software. Have you joined the Alphacam forums on the Planit web site? There are people there that have 5 axis machines and are doing 3D that would be willing to give you some hints.
Happy Machining !

[ezcheese]

I need some alphacam help if you guys know anything about it. Was just at a company yesterday that needs to start using the C-axis of their machine. They have it 3 years now and it is 15 years old. The original owner never used the C-axis so they didn't even know if the post had included that feature. Having scanned through the post it I am pretty sure that it does.

Anyways my question is how do I tell alphacam about the aggregate head? I know how to add tools to the regular 3-axis spindle. But what do I do to add horizontal cutters and to define how big the aggregate is, and where the tool is in relation to it?

They also have something I am not used to seeing. In Advanced simulation you can see the tool holder and the tool. I haven't ever seen this before, it was always just the tool in my previous experience. Can I draw the tool holder in somehow?

[ger21]

Can't help with the aggregate, but when you define a tool, there's a checkbox that let's you choose the toolholder drawing. Be sure the drawing is on the screen before defining the tool. In our older Version 7, it doesn't appear you can add the toolholder graphic to an existing tool. You need to create a new one from scratch.

[Boots]

You need to go to your add ins menu and add the Aggregate Tooling feature. From there you can define it and use it.
You can select from various toolholders or you can draw a crosssection of it. You will also have to create and define your machine.
You have a lot of work to do...........

[ezcheese]

Thanks for the swift replys guys, very helpful as I didn't know where to start.

I'm at home using Graduate router V7 so I haven't got all the features that I need. I've got the tool holder graphic figured out now, not too painful.

Should their be an add-ins menu? Or do you mean Utils>Special functions.
The company I am trying to do this for has V6 standard edition. Is the aggregate tooling feature free or must it be purchased as an extra?

[ezcheese]

Just got them too look it up in V6. Utils>Add-ins. There isn't an Aggregate Tooling feature.

Can I get on to Licom and get this? I presume it will cost a few pound.

[Boots]

The Aggregate Tooling feature is free but only available with I think ver 7.5 and up. Licom or Planit as it were, no longer supports earlier versions of Alphacam.
So you will not get anywhere with them. You will have to upgrade to the new version to get your aggregate tooling to work.
Yes your add-ins is in the Utilities menu at the bottom. Just put a check mark in the box next to the feature that you want and it will be added. No charge !

[ezcheese]

The Aggregate Tooling feature is free but only available with I think ver 7.5 and up. Licom or Planit as it were, no longer supports earlier versions of Alphacam.
So you will not get anywhere with them. You will have to upgrade to the new version to get your aggregate tooling to work.
Yes your add-ins is in the Utilities menu at the bottom. Just put a check mark in the box next to the feature that you want and it will be added. No charge !

How did people run aggregates in the older versions if it cannot be done in this way?

[Boots]

I used to run and program a Thermwood Turret model that had Horizontal drilling. I had to write sub routines in order to use that tooling. So I think you can do horizontal drilling but Machining contours with an Aggregate head is all together different. I don't use Aggregate tooling. I have looked into modifying the machine but my Company said it was too expensive ($17,000.00) right now. Do you have the Aggregate add-in with ver 7 ? If so, turn it on and play with it. Watch the simulator and see if it works the way you expect it to.

[ezcheese]

I don't have that add on for some reason. Is there any way I can get it?