Need Help!- How can I proceed to get this object machined on a 3-axis router?

[jbrownbrugo]

Hi, I have a two part question. The second part I am more interested in.
1-I created a standard 2 blade airplane propeller by following this tutorial:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wings_3...lade_Propeller

I need to get this model into mastercam. I have other 3d software if that would let me convert it.

2-When I get this model into mastercam, I would like to machine it out on my 3 axis router. It is physically possible as I would just have to flip the wood over to cut out the other side. How would I go about making the toolpaths for this.

Would I have to split the propeller in half and make two separate mastercam files for each side? What type of toolpath would I need to use?

I would really appreciate any help whatsoever or advice anyone would give me. Thank you!

Julian

[Superman]

Here is a 2 part answer
How big is the part you are planning to make ?
---only 1 mastercam file is required, just seperate setups by toolpath group---verify will / should show the finish machined part as you would take it off the machine. Don't forget to check the NC filename before posting each group.

1. As you have a 3-axis machine, the strategies available are reduced
gone are the ones that use 4th and 5th axis (multi-axis paths)
available are:-
2D and 3D operations
surfacing
HSM

2. machining method
using 2 setups
-------toolpath group #1----------
--1--(WCS=TOP) have excess material, hold down utilising the excess area ( screws outside the machining area) and "window" the prop to just shy of the theoretical split line, prop mount hole done right thru.
machine a clocking edge on the waste as to set square in op2

-------toolpath group #2----------
--2--(WCS=BOTTOM) flip over, set square, set the thru hole as X0Y0, and do the same as op1 ( the part is still attached to the excess, which should be seperated by hand and finished manually

Note!! this is one method, others may chip in with possibly better ones