Newbie- circle cutting

[Jcip]

I'm learning/struggling with Gibbs and I find it very difficult for example: to cut out a simple 2.5 dia hole in 3/8 thk alum. plate, say starting in the center thru a 1/2" drill hole with a 1/2" mill. I want to step it out at full depth (no slug) all the way to finish. creating geometry is a pain and I don't want to use the plunging routines they give for this application. using the +stock .25 several times seems very cummersome. Am I missing something here? I would think it would be a lot easier than this to cut a circle.

Any tips would be a great help

Jim C

[jmo]

hi jim have you tried using the roughing option ? sounds like your just using the contouring process

[jmo]

hope this helps

[camtd]

Is there a way to do a sprial cut out for circles like that? Ex. No stepover.

[mactec54]

Hi jcip

What version Gibbs do you have It makes a difference as the older version's can't do some of things that version 2009 does I can guide you through it

It is very easy once you have done it once

[camtd]

I am using Gibbscam 2009.

Thank You

[jmo]

something like this maybe?

[camtd]

That is perfect. How did you do that?

[jmo]

If you go to the geometry plugins the spiral is very easy to create then just apply your toolpath

[mactec54]

Hi jcid

Here is were you need to be starting as you are learning you need to master the main functions before trying the spiral type cutting this is just to show you how to get going

Yes Camtd you can do it with out a step over this is very easy to do but you need 2009 version to do it

[jmo]

I have 07 and 09 and can do the spiral on both

[mactec54]

Hi jmo

Yes they do & even before 2007 they did a surface spiral which is what you are using but 2009 is alot better to use without the bugs of 2007

The 2007 & 2009 you can do the spiral without a STEP OVER which is a big time saver you may not of done this jmo it's under HSM