Can Creo machine a helix bore?

[rcordova]

Anybody out there know to do a helix bore tool path in Creo?  I want to use a high speed machining to rough out a large bore.

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[SteveLucas · Accepted solution]

Rick,

What version of Creo are you on? You can do a helix cut in a bore with trajectory milling.There are a couple of nice improvements in the latest build of Creo 3.0 M040 where you can set the helical cut depth right from the trajectory tab.

[rcordova]

Steve, I'm using Creo 2.0 M120.

I'm need to cut a 2.87" bore about 2.75" deep (thru hole).  Normally we would use a large insert drill to hog out the material then chase it with a boring bar but my machine has limits when pushing a large drill through 316L SS.
My tool vendor is suggesting I try their high-feed end mill in a helical motion to hog out material.

Can you provide a little more detail on how to setup a trajectory milling sequence?

I use custom trajectory milling sequences in programs now.

[SteveLucas]

Rick,

Not sure I can help you it's been a while since creo 2.0 and I am having a serious lapse in memory on how to helical mill in creo 2.

I know it can be done if you give me a while so I can look up some stuff in my archives when I get a minute free  I will send it to you or if some one else can help please feel free to jump in.

Steve

[rcordova]

I think I just figured it out.  I will try running it thru my post processor now.

[Patriot_1776]

Not sure what you mean by "helix bore" tool path.  Do you mean for the "bore" of a firearm or heavy gun?  If so, you could easily use a VSS (Variable Section Sweep).

[KenFarley]

Frank,

He's trying to define a toolpath to move a cutting tool along a helical path. The variable section sweep is to create a feature, but doesn't really apply to toolpath creation. Unless, of course, you are trying the cut the resulting geometry. Egads.

[Patriot_1776]

Right.....but isn't the toolpath derived from the geometry created by the designer?

The problems I've had with helical or swept cuts, is that it doesn't actually remove material like a rotary cutter would, you're just sweeping a 2D section.

That is one area where Solidworks has an edge, the ability to remove material using solid bodies......

[dschenken]

This is a particular manufacturing case where a cylinder of material is being removed by a helical cut using an end mill. The geometry represents a straight plunge, like a drill, but the hole is usually flat bottomed requiring an end mill. Sometimes it is done in two ops - a large drill is used to core out the material and then a helical mill path is used to clean it up and produce the flat bottom.

[Patriot_1776]

Ahhh, I get it now.  So the resulting hole is a simple cylinder, not a "rifled" barrel.  You're using a helix to limit the amount of material removed per revolution of the tool path because it's too deep to plunge the cutter to the bottom, and simply do a circular path at the bottom.

Good luck!

[EricVidra]

couple of tutorials on Learning Exchange....

Tutorial: Helical 3-Axis Trajectory‌

Tutorial: Helical Machining of Complex Holes in Cutline Milling

[rcordova]

Thanks

[rcordova]

Thank you to all who responded to my post.  I appreciate the quick replies too.

[razmosis]

I would use an extruded mill surface and cutline milling vs. trajectory milling.  The only issue I have with it is that occasionally it doesn't make a constant Z swipe at the bottom to complete the hole's bottom.  More often than not, it works fine.

[SteveLucas]

Matt,

It is a matter of preference as far as cutline vs. trajectory. I prefer the trajectory method because I don't have to make an extruded mill surface and I can set the depth of my trajectory cut with a plane that goes deeper than the bore if it is through the part which is nice for a drift pass to get beyond the used cut portion of an end mill.

Steve