How would I toolpath with this thing?

[Hoverflyer.mk2]

Hi guys,

We recently bought a used machine for $1000 (BARGAIN) with all its tools, and we got these two tool holder things with it.

I'm have only 1 and a half years in the industry and pretty much self taught so I am not sure what you would call these.

Here are some photos:



and this one:


How would I toolpath to use these in MasterCAM X4?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[michaelthomas]

Those are aggregate heads. If your machine has a c axis......they can be pretty handy. If you only get to use them in one position......like my machine at work, they are not as useful.

They would be 4th axis programming.

[Superman]

Aggregate head
Right angle head, double ended

BT50 taper, they are not cheap , new $10K plus

Mastercam programming would involve a bit of trial & error
but
for a 3 axis machine---WCS = TOP, Tplane = TOP, Cplane = (depends on the head set angle, but should be perpendicular to the tool's axis )

[Hoverflyer.mk2]

$10K Plus?! Wow...

I haven't played around with the Tplane and Cplane yet. So I might look around for some foam to practice on, that way if I accidentally crash it into the job it won't even scratch the machine.

Can I use it to machine on a right angle, or are they only really used for drilling holes into the sides of jobs?

Thanks for your help guys by the way.

[michaelthomas]

Are you a 3d RC plane guy?

[Hoverflyer.mk2]

A what? Sorry

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Hoverflyer.mk2 $10K Plus?! Wow... I haven't played around with the Tplane and Cplane yet. So I might look around for some foam to practice on, that way if I accidentally crash it into the job it won't even scratch the machine. Can I use it to machine on a right angle, or are they only really used for drilling holes into the sides of jobs? Thanks for your help guys by the way.

Yes, just priced some for a HSK100 spindle that have an ER16 collet, cheapest was just under $8K

They allow a 3-axis machine to operations on the side that the tool is pointing at , so if you think outside the box and have a C-axis, you have access to the TOP and all part features on the sides

Depending on the holding system these heads have, you can drill and mill
they do have a maximum RPM rating. I'd guess yours may be around the 4K-6K max RPM as they do seem older

[michaelthomas]

Originally Posted by Hoverflyer.mk2 A what? Sorry

I thought maybe you were a RC airplane guy from your username. 3d flight includes hovering a regular propped airplane.....which is what I wondered if your username referenced.

This is 3d RC flying. There are a million videos of people out there who fly much better than I do. Its just low and slow flight that relies on prop thrust to suspend the plane instead of the wings......or a combination of both, anyway.
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