Engraving on an Arc using Haas Super Mini MIll

[chop5280]

I am trying to use a Haas Mini Mill to do engraving and want it to be in a Circle. Is there any way to do this without drwing it on a cad sytem and having it post it out to the machine. I would like to be able to program it at the machine.
Thanks in Advance!

[JPMach]

I tried that once and there is no way that I could find to engrave on an arc.
The other thing that really sucks about Haas engraving at the machine is that you cannot change the spacing between letters without programming each letter individually which kinda defeats the purpose. The best thing you can do is use a cam program to output the engraving on whatever shape you want. Abou the only thing I use the one on the machine for anymore is serial numbers.

JP

[chop5280]

Thanks for the input, I will keep trying to figure it out, but in the mean time will try to use a cam system. As advanced as the machines are these days you would think you could do something as simple as this!

[PBMW]

It's an option...talk to your sales guy...

[HuFlungDung]

While engraving does not add a lot of functionality to a part, the actual toolpaths can be as complex as any part could be, especially if you get into raised lettering, 3d relief, etc.

Rather than pay Haas for a function with, I suppose somewhat limited functionality, I think the money would be better spent as part of a good cam package. I believe there is good advantage in being able to place text on all sorts of surfaces, along various profiles, and to simulate it before you take a wild guess and hope it doesn't wreck something on the nearly finished part, using a blind routine built into the control. But that might just be me, a machinist afraid of loud noises, high spindle motor current draw and servo overloads

[gar]

060314-0904 EST USA

chop5280:

Engraving on an arc is not a simple function, but here is an outline of what you can do. I have not tried it and it is complex.

The simplest form assumes monospacing. You will need macro capability.

Each character will have to be processed individually. HAAS G47 provides both scaling and rotation.

You will need some basic information entered into variables. Character height and all fixed parameters of G47.

You may want to put a G5x as the center of your arc.

Calculate your character width from the character height. Calculate the starting angle from the number of characters. Calculate the incremental angle from the radius of the arc and the number of characters. You will need an individual G47 for each character.

.

[chmillman]

As Hu and gar noted, this is complex. If your machine doesn't already have scaling and rotation, you can buy a low-end CAM system that will do everything you want and more for less then you would have to pay HAAS for the option. --ch

[chop5280]

I have access to mastercam, Just haven't been successful at getting it to post out right. Guess I will keep trying though. Thanks for all the great thoughts!

[lnmc66]

Hi, I have discuss about this issue on Fadal room, I guess you wanted to know and here is the link:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19132

I dont really know if Fanuc control have build in macro function Wrap like in Fadal. If not we can press them to do so. Come on men, this is 21st century, You cant hide and keep colect money like this. Well I over express myself. Chop this build in already in Fadal control more than a decade, so I dont know if it in the Hass or not.

best regard

[lnmc66]

Sorry, Chop talking about engrave on an art, I reply about wrap on an cylinder.

[gar]

060410-1843 EST USA

chop5280:

Your best solution is to get Mastercam to work for you because it will greatly improve your engraving capabilities.

.