NC Gurus,
We are in the process of attempting to implement cutter compensation.
The intention is to allow the machine to adjust automatically for a tool
that is cutting slightly undersize (or oversize), or has been reduced in
diameter because of sharpening, without changing the original program or
the CL data. Enabling the cutter compensation options in Pro/E quickly
showed us that we would need to modify how we are setting up many of our
sequences in order to provide an entry and exit move for Pro/E to use to
start and stop compensation. On most sequences this hasn't been a
problem. One specific sequence that we have been completely unable to
get to comp is a volume mill with a helical entry. On holes that are
less than twice the diameter of the tool, we frequently ramp down into
the material. Instead of milling at a bunch of different step depths,
we change the ramp angle to 1 or 2 degrees, change the cut type to
UPCUT, set the scan type to FOLLOW HARD WALLS, and turn on LEAD IN.
Step depth is simply set deeper than the bottom of the hole. What
happens is the cutter moves in a helical motion around the inside of the
hole on a shallow angle all the way until it reaches the bottom. Once
it reaches the bottom, it simply does the normal programmed function for
that one slice (profile, rough, etc.), and then travels straight back up
out of the hole (since LEAD IN is turned off). The problem is, cutter
compensation will never get turned on. Since Pro/E sees the ramping
"cut" as an entry move, it doesn't seem to allow any additional moves
before it on which cutter compensation can be enabled. If I change the
ramp angle back to 90 degrees and use a lead in and lead out, the
compensation turns on and off correctly. I have played a little with
the helical diameter parameter, and didn't have any more success with
it. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks!
Tom Uminn
Continental Tooling Concepts
571 Gordon Industrial Court - Suite E
Byron Center, MI 49315
We are in the process of attempting to implement cutter compensation.
The intention is to allow the machine to adjust automatically for a tool
that is cutting slightly undersize (or oversize), or has been reduced in
diameter because of sharpening, without changing the original program or
the CL data. Enabling the cutter compensation options in Pro/E quickly
showed us that we would need to modify how we are setting up many of our
sequences in order to provide an entry and exit move for Pro/E to use to
start and stop compensation. On most sequences this hasn't been a
problem. One specific sequence that we have been completely unable to
get to comp is a volume mill with a helical entry. On holes that are
less than twice the diameter of the tool, we frequently ramp down into
the material. Instead of milling at a bunch of different step depths,
we change the ramp angle to 1 or 2 degrees, change the cut type to
UPCUT, set the scan type to FOLLOW HARD WALLS, and turn on LEAD IN.
Step depth is simply set deeper than the bottom of the hole. What
happens is the cutter moves in a helical motion around the inside of the
hole on a shallow angle all the way until it reaches the bottom. Once
it reaches the bottom, it simply does the normal programmed function for
that one slice (profile, rough, etc.), and then travels straight back up
out of the hole (since LEAD IN is turned off). The problem is, cutter
compensation will never get turned on. Since Pro/E sees the ramping
"cut" as an entry move, it doesn't seem to allow any additional moves
before it on which cutter compensation can be enabled. If I change the
ramp angle back to 90 degrees and use a lead in and lead out, the
compensation turns on and off correctly. I have played a little with
the helical diameter parameter, and didn't have any more success with
it. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks!
Tom Uminn
Continental Tooling Concepts
571 Gordon Industrial Court - Suite E
Byron Center, MI 49315