linear Toolpath

[Jaby]

Hey,

can anyone please tell if solidcam has an option to create a arc to a bunch of lines to make it similar to arc (Arc has 3 points, i would like to describe an arc wit for example 200 points, and the moves are linear(lines)).

I'm using a 3 axes mill.

my version of solidcam is 2008.

Or do i have to make this in SolidWorks? I dont know how to do this in either one of them.

Hope you get the point.

Tnx

Jaby

[Brakeman Bob]

Originally Posted by Jaby can anyone please tell if solidcam has an option to create a arc to a bunch of lines to make it similar to arc (Arc has 3 points, i would like to describe an arc wit for example 200 points, and the moves are linear(lines)).

What are you trying to do? Is this a 2D geometry such as a circular pocket. If it is a 3D geometry, then SolidCAM will do it automatically and you control the number of points using the surface tolerance. If it is a 2D geometry, use a 3D milling job on constant Z and have a big step down but make sure arc approximation is turned off.

[Jaby]

I have a writting "TEST" (2D geo), where "S" consists of arcs. My z-coord is constant. I was trying to write "S" with lines(not arcs).

My solution is, that i changed my maschine.mac file and turn off arcs.


If i try your solution, how can i turn arc approximation off? Is this what i did (turn it off in .mac) or, is there any other way?

Tnx

[Brakeman Bob]

For what you are trying to do i.e. force 2D geometry arcs into lines, then the Mac is the only way. However, you might be able create a job variable called "force_arcs" that the post could pick up and do the job for you. This depends if the arcs/lines thing can be manipulated once the post is initiated.

[Jaby]

Thanks for all the help.

Regards

Jaby

[mattpatt]

Another possibilty would be to select "point to point" option when selecting the geometry, instead of the "curve" option. That's a lot of point to pick, but it could be done I suppose.

I use this option if I want to jump a gap on the solid model, when there's no sketched geometry in SW.