how to create a "contouring" toolpath

al204 · ‎Sep 22, 2008

Hello ProE CAM users...

IÂ´m writing concerning a toolpath creation..this is to create the cavity of a mold for an injection blown bottle.

So far I have tried changing the SCAN TYPE and ROUGH OPTION within a volume milling sequence.

The different toolpaths create so far do not satisfy my boss, he wants the first sequence to contour the profile of the cavity, in each slice the tool should increase its distance from the center, as a spiral evolving towards the outside but following the contour.

I have tried the ROUGH ONLY+SPIRAL option without success. (image included). It doesnÂ´t follow the required toolpath.

any thoughts are appreciated, best regards

Al.

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rizzari · ‎Sep 22, 2008

Al,

You can use a surface mill and the cut line option.

Bob

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rrich · ‎Sep 22, 2008

You are doing it right you just need to make a few tweeks.

1. SCAN TYPE should be set to SPIRAL
2. find CUT DIRECTION and switch from STANDARD to REVERSE (toggles from
inside to out or outside to in.)
3. use the option for PROFILE THEN ROUGH for your ROUGH OPTION you
will not see much difference in this with the spiral option but it is useful
if you have different rough offset and profile offsets.
4. check your stock allowances make sure they are set for roughing. I
would leave about .020 after roughing.
5. you may need to use a smaller tool and tighten your step over.
6. you should set your RAMP ANGLE from 4-10 degrees so the tool cuts
easily into the next step.
7. your STEP DEPTH should be about equal to your step over.

Those are the steps for roughing. Now finishing you have a couple of
options. I would use surface mill and machine from neck of bottle up and
down the U shape with a ball mill working towards the bottom of the bottle.
Use small step over number in order to calculate faster than a small scallop
height. Pocketing or Profile milling would work also but you would still
need to use some sort of surface option for the very bottom of the round
bottle surface.

Ron Rich

Staff Mechanical Engineer

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

28775 Aurora Rd.

Solon, OH 44139

440-498-2954

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