4-axis Machining

[davebGTI]

I am having some problems getting SurfCam to cut multiple surfaces in 4 axis. I want to spin the part with a rotary table and cut around the part as I do, but I can't select more than one surface in 4 axis>cut. Is there a way around this or do I need to find a way to make my multiple surfaces one?

[chmillman]

Well, I don't have a very current version of Surfcam (2003) but I don't think much has changed in this dept. since. Cut only cuts one surface at a time (like in 3 Axis), and you don't even get any gouge control or check surfaces. Pretty limited, unfortunately. If you can manage to merge your surfaces into one, that's the only good way to cut continuously around the part, AFAIK. However,this is not always possible. --ch

[camman]

Velocity 3 , FEB or March will have 4 and 5 axis multisurface machining

[CNCRim]

I think you can try use 5-axis multisurface machining, but use 4-axis output post.

[camaru]

Create small spiral spline under the surfaces you want to 4 axis cut, if the X axis is the rotation axis create the helix in x, you will need to create 2 one will be a little bit offset from the first, from those new spirals create a cross section surface and point the arrow in the direction you want front to back kind of thing. Use 4 axis contour, choose all the surfaces you want to cut, pick the spiral surface as your guide surface and pick one of the two splines form the guide surface. When your are on the tool page pick a tool, and go to the cut control page, place " -1/2 the diameter" of the tool your are using for stock to leave, press done, its slow but it does work.
notes: The spirals need to emulate the step over you want to use. It may take a little messing around but this has worked since V2004 and probably before. The Velocity 3 that comes in the end of Feb and it does this in a snap. They will probalbly show this at westec.

[moldcore]

Originally Posted by camaru The Velocity 3 that comes in the end of Feb and it does this in a snap. They will probalbly show this at westec.

So camaru..., do you have any other information on Velocity 3 that you may want to share? Like, have they done anything to it’s pathetic user interface? Undo?