toolpath showing center of the cutter

[xaco]

hi everyone,i downloaded MadCAM demo and it looks great but i have a problem how to get a 3D toolpath that would show cutters tip,and not cutters centre.When i go to settings "2d options"->"2D milling" and i set "cutter tip",the next toolpath continues to show the centre of cutter .how can i get right toolpath? thx

[turmite]

xaco can you post the 3dm file so I can test it? I just tested on one of my models here and got exactly what I was supposed to.

I am curious if you are using a ball nose cutter? Give me some more info so maybe I can help.

Mike

[xaco]

Mike,i cant post(attach) file-its "invalid" if 3dm,and "problem with page" if dxf....,i am testing madcam so i made simplest surface of revolved curve around x-axis.I made a circle above it and i made vertical projection on that surface to gain a projected curve that i wanted to mill,just that piece,selecting "set 3 axis mode" and than "Curve Milling->From Boundary Curves"and i selected that projected curve.I get toolpath that shows center of tool when i pick ball end mill,bigger diameter,higher toolpath.If i choose flat end mill i get normal toolpath.

[turmite]

xaco are you wanting to only carve the curve, or remove the material inside the curve?

Mike

[turmite]

xaco did you try to simulate the tool path?

[xaco]

Originally Posted by turmite xaco did you try to simulate the tool path?

yes i did,and simulation clearly shows that toolpath is higher than material where was cut out.Yes i want to remove all material out,not cut along line.

[turmite]

xaco here is a screen shot showing the tool path I got using a 6mm ballnose, used curve milling and from boundry curves. Rhino will always select the center of the ball for this tool path and will show the path to be above the surface, but the depth of cut will be half the ball diam into the surface.

Mike

[turmite]

Xaco I should say as well that the cut will follow the contour of the part and if you study the pic you will see it in the image.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Mike

[xaco]

Originally Posted by turmite Xaco I should say as well that the cut will follow the contour of the part and if you study the pic you will see it in the image. Let me know if you have other questions. Mike

So its always in center when using ballmill.Anyway its ok cos in mach3 it shows the toolpath of the tip so g-code is of tip toolpath.

[turmite]

Xaco,

No not always centered. It depends on which strategy you are using and what options are available for those strategies.

If I can be of futher help, let me know.

Mike

[svenakela]

[Deleted text]

Ooops, posted in wrong thread.

[JOM]

Xaco,

Each toolpath curve is always saved in Rhino at cutter center, but you can choose cutter tip or cutter center for the output by setting a parameter in the post processor. The default setting for the output is cutter tip.

Joakim