Profiling a contour - radius problem

[knsmilk88]

Hi,
I have a contour I have to machine. I attached the file.
Tool path #7 Surface Finish Contour. All I want to do is have a 3/8"
ball mill profile radius this edge. What am I doing wrong.
I am learning as I go I just started a week ago on my own.
Starting to get a feel for things but somethings I just can't figure out
why it does what it does.
Please take a look and let me know.
It's just a trial part.
Thanks,
Brian

using mill ver 9.0

[Superman]

Had a look,

Seems you do not have any "check surfaces" selected,
these are, usually, features you want to protect from gouging and have a +ive value ( 99.9% of the time you are creating the model shape, so you don't wish to gouge )
ie
roughing--- drive surface = 0.010" offset, check surfaces = 0.010" offset
finishing--- drive surface = 0.000" offset, check surfaces = 0.001" offset
overcut--- drive surface = -0.010" offset, check surfaces = 0.001" offset

The check surfaces can be picked from the solid entity , but I suggest you create your required surfaces before you pick them, as using solid entities may slow mastercam down, even cause crashes.

[knsmilk88]

I have to be an idiot.
I have no idea what a check surface is
or how to create and choose one.

[tstom]

not at my Mastercam computer now but sounds like maybe you should try surface/finish/parallel to radius and edge
I'll have a look tomorrow
Solids are not a problem in MC ver X2or3 I didn't have solids in V9 but It shouldn't make it crash

[knsmilk88]

Cool thanks,
I use Cadkey99 for all my wire frames and solids.
I brought this file in and have been able to work with it
but just can't get it to do what I want.
I want it to follow the contour and cut the radius
as it goes around the part.

1 other thing.
In the program I sent you will see a toolpath that contours the whole top of the part.
I was originally trying to get the tool to cut the radius while it's doing that function but i've not figured out how to get the tool to just follow the actual part.

[tstom]

I'll look at it in the morning but what you want to do should be possible.....all one toolpath that is

[Superman]

OK, what level of MC9 do you have ?

can you create surfaces for solids ( you have one in your mcam file )
Main Menu--create--Surface--Next menu--From Solid--Faces=Y,Solids=N--then pick the faces off the solid that you need

then got to the operation manager (alt-O), select the operation to be altered ( L-click " Parameters" ), ( L-click "surface Parameters) and you should be in an area that controls the tool actions

Drive surfaces are what mcam tries to put the tool against
Check surfaces are used to adjust the toolpath so it don't cut ( should be +ive ) and you don't have any selected

note! surfaces cannot in both areas

[knsmilk88]

just 9.0

[Superman]

Sorry, my fault,
levels in mastercam means what capabilities it can do
Level1 = design seat ( no programming capabilities )
Level2 = surfacing ( create 3/4 axis toolpaths - no create solids )
--you can import solids from 3rd party software and get surfaces from them
Level3 = solids plus add-ons for 5axis

I assume you are a beginner with mcam, and seeing toopaths you have level2

your boot-up screen should tell you what mastercam you have ( ie V9.0 SP2 )
if you can get to v9.1 SP2, it has better control on 2D contours than v9.0
( you can control the toolpath at the endpoints of your chains a lot better )

[knsmilk88]

Yes I am as green as it gets with MCam
I have sp2 9.0

There has got to be an easier way of moving drawings from level to level.
This a total pain in the ass.
What is the easiest way to move neumerous lines an things to another level.
chg level- move - level # ? 10 or whatever - window - done
and nothing happens.
How do I do this?

[CNC_BOB]

not trying to hijack this thread but I opened the file and it does have 3D toolpaths so must be level3, that being said, I always tell people just starting out that 90% of all parts work well by using SURFACE FINISH CONTOUR AND THEN SURFACE FINISH SHALLOW, and if you really want to save a bit of time, within the SURFACE FINISH CONTOUR parameters you can activate the "SHALLOW" button which will skip areas that are shallow (I like to leave it at 45 degrees) so that the SURFACE FINISH SHALLOW toolpath will capture these areas. hopw this helps

[knsmilk88]

Great thanks Bob,
Now I just have to figure out how to move things from level 1 to other levels.
And what levels to put them on.
Thanks