Tool path program needed

[Precise1]

Basically, what I need is a program that will give me data points of a radius in fine increments. Starting from X/Y0 is fine as long as I can get something like 20+ position points on a 20um radius.
No, I have no CAM abailable to me right now and none that I have used would have been appropriate. I've wasted hours on the web tonight with little success. Anyone know of a program that would supply the raw info that I can access ? I'm considering hitting exel tomorrow and using equasions, but that will be tedious to look up and may not solve future problems.
Any info is welcome, thanks !!

[lakeside]

I can help what size in inchs do you want radis and do you want a full 360 or 180 with 20 points

[Kiwi]

Precise
I have a program that I have written to generate Arc-Helix G Code which if figures like X20 Z0 to X20.000001 Z0.000001 this will give you code for any number up to 180 increments per revolution. The number of increments can be modified if you wish. How many decimal points would you need?
Did you mean type 20 'um' or is this mm? Let me know what you require.

[lakeside]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Precise I have a program that I have written to generate Arc-Helix G Code .

Why does this not surpize me. Kiwi if you didnot have the program ,I'm sure you would had the math for it.

[Precise1]

Mike: In this case what I need is a counterclockwise radius of .0008" from a face to an OD as in turning. 5 decimal places would be nice but 4 may work.

Kiwi, your code sounds like what I need... 5 decimal places for metric would be ideal and yes, I meant .02mm radius. Are you willing to share ??

All of this is because my friggin diamond turning lathe refuses to properly execute a simple g3 no matter how I define it, alter start and end points, lead in's, etc. Whats worse is that it has no issue with g2 moves before and after the g3s... I have run into this before and have never found rhyme nor reason as to why it will work sometimes and not others. Hence my point to point solution. If it doesn't want to do it one way, it gets to do it another !! *struggles with mastery over machine*

Bernard

[lakeside]

what is the OD

[M-man]

I did a macro on the lathe to machine a elipse with live tooling. Just do the same but use formula for circle... and twenty points is not realy much to calculate on a paper either.

[lakeside]

Originally Posted by M-man is not realy much to calculate on a paper either.

"Calculate on a paper" you must be a madman. This is the 21 century. Paper is for reading only, not math. That's what Mr. PC can do a lot better than me with pencil, paper and my fingers and toes.

[Precise1]

Good point M-man... I haven't messed with macro's on this machine yet, but I'll definitely look into it. That said, I wanted a method that could be used for other scenarios, not just this one so working it out on paper was undesirable.
Thanks everyone, but I figured out a way to do it and have a spreadsheet suitable for other applications. It takes me less than 5 minutes to alter the equasions to give me exactly what I want and I can break the steps down into any number (or fraction) of degrees that I wish. Here it is attached, maybe someone will find it useful sometime. Ask any questions...

Bernard

[Kiwi]

Precise1....I will mod the program to give what you require and contact you.

Mike.....I needed to write the formula to write the program :-)

[Kiwi]

Precise1
Altered program so start X20 Z0 end X20 Z0 will run without crashing. Computers don't like dividing by zero.
Also can choose how many decimal points. For your job use the tapered mode. See diagram to figure out the start and end coords.
Report back and I will modify if required.

[blksmith]

Originally Posted by Precise1 Mike: In this case what I need is a counterclockwise radius of .0008" from a face to an OD as in turning. 5 decimal places would be nice but 4 may work. Kiwi, your code sounds like what I need... 5 decimal places for metric would be ideal and yes, I meant .02mm radius. Are you willing to share ?? All of this is because my friggin diamond turning lathe refuses to properly execute a simple g3 no matter how I define it, alter start and end points, lead in's, etc. Whats worse is that it has no issue with g2 moves before and after the g3s... I have run into this before and have never found rhyme nor reason as to why it will work sometimes and not others. Hence my point to point solution. If it doesn't want to do it one way, it gets to do it another !! *struggles with mastery over machine* Bernard

Sometimes if you do not have the tool nose radius compensation correct the cnc will not let you cut the specified radius, for instense you want a .032 radius and your tooling has a .062 nose radius this is of course impossible to cut and the computer can not compensate for it.