Spiral Rope Column question

[cadchris]

I need to figure out how to program a spiral column that looks like this.




It's 60" long 9"outside diameter, 8" diameter smallest diameter. my machines threads just fine, i have an indexer on it, granted i use the software on the machine for doing it.

It has a 1/2" drop in the center 7 1/2" wide spiral. I hope this all makes sense. I can't figure out how to do anything in mastercam that uses indexing. I can program just simple threads on my centroid controller but nothing w/ mastercam. I have mastercam 9 and x4, but don't know how to use x4 that great.

appreciate the help.

Maybe on my machine there is a different thing i can use to make this happen. and not have to use mastercam. Anyone know what that would be called?

I copied and pasted this from centroid's website.

Profiling, Threading, Grooving, Facing, Turning, Tapering, Drilling and Tapping, Auto Chamfer, Line, Arcs, Cutoff, and more..

[txcncman]

Make the arc. Make a helix. Create > Surface > Sweep and sweep the arc to the helix.

[cadchris]

I can draw it, i can't program it.

I use a saw blade to cut columns. the column is on an indexer. i have no idea how to program it. We just installed the indexer last week. works great with the threading program that is installed on the controller. I can do 10 FEET x 25" Dia. stone columns, we are trying to recreate the above image. Any help would be appreciated.

[txcncman]

Ok. You said something about a saw. Say 7" diameter saw. Not using cutter comp.

G0 X0. Y9. A0.
G0 Z5.5
G1 Z0. (Centerline)
G1 Y8.
G1 X60. A2880.
G1 Y9.
G0 Z5.5

[cadchris]

how would the indexer work with that? would it just be one pass to do it all? I'll go to work today and take a picture of the machine and the code we use to make a spiral thread on the machine.

I do appreciate your response to this thread, thanks

[txcncman]

The letter 'A' is for the 4th axis.

[cadchris]

hey txcncman, could you please look at these photos, and tell me what you think. I know the dimensions are wrong b/c we were just experimenting with it for the first time yesterday. I gave the right dimensions in the first post and i assume what you posted I do appreciate your help.










here is the link if the pics don't work.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11756...59849090420721

[cadchris]

Ok. You said something about a saw. Say 7" diameter saw. Not using cutter comp.

G0 X0. Y9. A0.
G0 Z5.5
G1 Z0. (Centerline)
G1 Y8.
G1 X60. A2880.
G1 Y9.
G0 Z5.5

we don't use a diameter of the saw when programming using intercon, the above pics. I only do 1 or 2 columns a year, using mastercam, i know I do pick a tool, i 'll check it out on tuesday. i have a cheat sheet

[txcncman]

Ok. I was thinking this was like a vertical spindle machine. To get the contour you are wanting will have to take multiple passes at various X and Y points for start and end. I do not recall if Centroid will run macros, but a macro would probably be the best (hardest) way to program and run something like this.

Does your saw have full radius teeth?

[cadchris]

OK, thanks alot for your help! I'm stumped now lol

[Kiwi]

I can draw it, i can't program it...

Can you post a drawing in IGES, Step etc, as I'm unable to read MC. Thanks

[Delw]

Treat it like a multi start thread program.

you start yout cut XXX way for each spiral

for example 1st ones starts at 1" from z0
second one starts 2" from z0
etc etc
they all have the same everything except start points