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AlphaCam and open contours

10/7/16       
Al Member

I'm new to using AlphaCam (2013 R1 SP2) and learning as I go...when cutting open contours I can't seem to get cutter comp to post out. I needed to cut several large radii (200" and bigger) for curved wall caps.

I have done to following:
-set tool direction to right (direction is correct for geometry direction)
-defined a roughing pass and tried each of the 3 choices for comp. (tool center, Machine Comp (G41/42), and G41/42 Tool Center.
-posted each version of the roughing pass with the comp choices

All three give me the same code for cutter comp, in this case C=0 (which is no comp. for the SCM router).

I tried lead-ins as a sloping line, line with arc, arc only, the above lead-ins with an angle added (5deg.).

All post out the same comp code (C=0).

So what is the trick to getting open contours programmed with cutter comp and posted out?

Any help would be appreciated.
-Al

10/8/16       #3: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Mike

Al,
Not sure why you don't get cutter comp in your code. Here is how is works for future reference.

Tool Center just means no code for cutter comp. tool path data in generated by the radius gotten from the tool you created. C0 or G40 on most machines. by default there is no cutter comp, so no code needed.

G41/42 Tool Center. Same as above, but the post outputs a G42/C1 for RH comp or a G41\C2 for Left hand comp. With this style of comp, a new bit should have a 0 value in the radius for the tool at the machine. A sharpened bit will have a negative value in the registry at the machine. This is hard for a lot of people to understand, but the machine is only compensating for the difference between a new and serviced tool. (Best way to go with Fanuc and other similar controllers.)

G41/42 Machine comp outputs the code so that in order for the part to be correct, the machine compensates for the entire radius of the tool. In this scenario, you need to put in the correct radius at the machine, or diameter. Many years ago Xilog required diameter, not radius in the tool file. This style should also produce a G42/C1 or a G41/C2.

In many controls, the comp is turned on and off by a G1 line with a movement = or greater than the value being compensated. Don't think SCM's version requires that. Maybe checking apply compensation on Rapid will turn it on. Good luck. Hope that helped.

10/9/16       #4: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Rob Pierce

Have selected Apply Compensation on rapid approach/retract?

10/10/16       #6: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Snaglpuss

Have you tried breaking the arc into two pieces?
When I don't break a single line or arc into two pieces I cant get the post to cancel my cutter comp. (using Mastercam, not Alphacam)

10/10/16       #7: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Al Member

Thanks Mike and Rob,

Our Xilog tool file asks for tool diameter. I have been using G41/42 Machine comp with the actual diameter entered into the tool def file. I also have checked the Apply Compensation on rapid approach/retract box
When I define a closed contour ie: cutting out a part, the tool paths are posted out with C=1 (which is the comp code for the SCM router we have).
When I define a path that is open, ie: a large radius or straight line, using the same choices the code posts a C=0 (no comp).

So I'm at a loss as to what to do to get comp to work for the open contours.

Regards,
Al

10/10/16       #8: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Mike

That doesn't make sense that you get right hand comp output on closed contours but not open. When you turn on ghost tools, it shows that the tool direction is set to right side? View-Display Options-Ghost Tools.

10/10/16       #9: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Snaglpuss

So have you tried breaking the entity into two pieces and then posting?

10/11/16       #10: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Zak

Iv'e tried it several ways and it works every time.


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10/14/16       #11: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Al Member

Thanks for the responses. I haven't gotten a chance to revisit this issue. I've been making parts. All closed contours fortunately. I'll be able to take another look at this on Monday. Thanks again.
-Al

10/16/16       #12: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Abcko

Have you checked, "Apply Compensation on rapid approach/retract"?

10/26/16       #13: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Al Member

Thanks for all the responses. I have it working for me now. I'm not sure what I was doing wrong but it seems that when choosing the tool direction on the open contour, if "Set Start Point on Closed Geometries" is set to anything other than "NO" when picking the contour, the process doesn't work properly. So I now make sure that "NO" is set for this choice.

11/2/16       #14: AlphaCam and open contours ...
Mike

I never would have thought that being your problem. My normal choice for open geometry is to choose reverse direction then right or left side. That is the quickest way to get what you are after if you aren't aware of the direction of the geometry. Worst case scenario is that you have to click on it twice and you are ready to go.


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