lathe c-axis engraving

[Richl]

Hi,
Anybody know how to use the c-axis to engrave on a diameter in solidcam 2011 ?
Thanks.

[Brakeman Bob]

You use the "wrap" function (presuming you have either 4th axis indexial or mill-turn options). Create a profile job and then right click it in the Job Tree, select the "Transform" menu and then onto "4th Axis".
Alternatively, if you have the 5 axis option, just create a 5 axis engraving job.
Whatever you do, it is a milling job.

[Richl]

Thanks for you reply,
do the text letters have to be debossed on the part or can the text be put on a custom plane and wrapped onto the part in solidcam?
if I put the letters on a flat plane and use the wrap function when selecting the geometry i don't get a diameter for the wrap in my motion limits
Thanks

[Brakeman Bob]

The honest answer is I don't know. However, you can put a custom surface in the CAM part by opening the CAM part for editing inside the assembly, selecting your surface and making an Offset Surface with the offset set to zero. Then you can cut out or scribe your lettering on this surface. If you need this to be in a SolidCAM 3D geometry it is simply a matter of making a second geometry within the CAM and choosing that for your 3D or 5 axis job.

I hope this helps.