2D Adaptive

[almo0797]

Can anyone who has used the software let me know your thoughts on 2D-Adaptive clearing. I know it is meant to reduce the wear on the tool but it seems to create a lot of small paths and theis can make it a long program. I have not been able to get on a machine to cut a program in anger so I would appreciate some hands on knowledge.

[shopvak]

My understanding of this is you have to speed up the feed rate by about 3x and increase the depth of cut by about 3x over what you would normally do with a regular machined path. Because the tool is never allowed to get fully buried into the material is why you can get away with this do this. The disadvantage is that the tool path gets longer and more complicated.

I tested a adaptive path on my machine the other day and it ran it real jerky and didn't like it at all. I will have to mess around with the settings and see if I can figure out why it won't run smooth. I hope my controller isn't too old to handle it.

[1ctoolfool]

try using the filter option and filter the path to .001"
the filter with fit circular moves (G02 G03) to within the specified tolerance which will greatly smooth out the motion,
but if you have an older control with lots of linear moves, likely it may not be able to process the motion fast enough at high feed rates.

the choppy motion is a function of the control, not the tool path. your control may have high speed options as well which may help smooth out the motion. reduce the feed and you should see the choppiness go away.

adaptive clearing definately lets you remove material faster and with a constant load on the tool. however you won't see any advantage with out the other pieces of the puzzle in place i.e. - the right tool, fixture, machine control, etc.

disadvantage - yes it creates much larger tool path files, and also takes longer to initially generate the toolpath. depends on your application as to whether it is worth the added productivity on the machining side.