Engraving a 1" aluminum rod in the mill. Using Mastercam

[chakaloso]

Hi!

I am trying to do an engraving on an 1" rod in the mill. I know how to do engraving using mastercam X on a flat surface, but I am trying to learn how to do it on a 3D. I have experience doing it on 2D but not 3D.
Any help on how to on Mastercam X

Thanks

[foxsquirrel]

Originally Posted by chakaloso Hi! I am trying to do an engraving on an 1" rod in the mill. I know how to do engraving using mastercam X on a flat surface, but I am trying to learn how to do it on a 3D. I have experience doing it on 2D but not 3D. Any help on how to on Mastercam X Thanks

Unless you have an indexer the results will not be very good. If you have an indexer just project your text on the surface, I believe one of the mastercam tutorial books has an example of what you are trying to do. Myself I do all the CAD in Solidworks then import to MC for the toolpath.

[jeffrey001]

What you can also do is download a little program called cncwrapper.

You program the part flat and you import it is this little software and it will convert your program to output it for a rotational axis.

The program cost only $20.00 and it work great.

CNCWrapper - Home Page

[Mike Mattera]

Do the 2D toolpath.
On the bottom of the Tool path parameter page you'll see a Rotary option. Check the box and press the button. Substitute Y (for an A axis rotary) and tell it the Diameter to wrap it around. CW or CCW depends on your rotary table direction.

You don't need any other program to do this Mastercam has had this function since the beginning of time.


Mike Mattera

[cadcam]

Wow Mike not sure why they took this link out.

More information on the process is available here...
TFM - Mastercam X - X3 - Rotary & Multi-Plane Video Training CD

You answered the question and have always offered a link for more training. also your link is one of the sponsor banners on this board.

if this was spam he would said buy this training disk and not given an answer to the question at hand. I can also say that he has supported this section and anserd allot of questions.

[Mike Mattera]

Thanks Jay,

I didn't get it either.

I always thought spammers were trying to get something for free. Not only do I pay to advertise here, I am a regular contributor of useful information.

Mike Mattera