Re: [Emc-users] >3-axis CAM Development
2 1/2 , 3 and 4 with indexing is already part of FreeCAD/Path https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Path_Workbench https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWFC17MIfOE I'm using C++ and Python. On 7/12/21 6:00 PM, Chris Albertson wrote: So the program would likely accept a .STEP file and produce g-code. I would start with the simpler case of 2 1/2 D machining There are two ways, X,Y raster scanning with the end mill, that is really primitive, or contour following. For counter following I think you have to convert to a topographic map then trace each counter line around in a loop, then go to the next line. I think there are many ways to define "next line" At some point you need to look inside the STEP file to fin the "intent" for example a threaded blind hole is made with a drill and tap, not a tiny end mill on a 6-axis machine. What are you using C++ or Python, Something else? On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 2:57 PM Bari wrote: For now my target is to work with FreeCAD/Path. FreeCAD uses a geometry engine based on Open CASCADE. I'm looking at some physics engines now to handle the collision avoidance between the tools, material and work holders. I'm am also looking at being able to input factors for the tools and material to be able to create more optimal paths than just raster scans. 1" dia carbide roughing end mill on a 20HP VMC vs 1HP spindle on robot arm and tool steel vs 60xx aluminum. On 7/12/21 4:17 PM, Matthew Herd wrote: Hi Bari, Though I'm no expert, your goal is admirable. I would say typically I do tend to use the larger tools first when feasible (i.e. excluding situations where I might have to drill first). I try to use an adaptive tool path whenever possible too. I then move to one of many finishing strategies (contour, horizontal, pencil, etc.) I think traditional roughing was probably rather raster oriented. Probably just work in a constant stepover and depth of cut and go round the part in a roughly square path. However, I don't know because I have very limited experience with CAM packages prior to Fusion360 about 6 years ago when adaptive was pretty much standard. I dabbled with MasterCAM in about 2005, but I can't recall if there was an adaptive tool path back then. I don't believe there was, but I never dug that deep. Matt On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 5:10 PM Bari wrote: I'm am working on creating open software for creating tool paths for 4+ axis machines. What are your approaches to machining when using 4+ axis machines? Hog out as much as possible first using the largest roughing tools first then moving to smaller? Any fine points to consider? One vendor of 5-axis CAM markets adaptive technology to speed up the process. Not exactly sure what they used to do when creating paths with their older software vs newer. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] >3-axis CAM Development
So the program would likely accept a .STEP file and produce g-code. I would start with the simpler case of 2 1/2 D machining There are two ways, X,Y raster scanning with the end mill, that is really primitive, or contour following. For counter following I think you have to convert to a topographic map then trace each counter line around in a loop, then go to the next line. I think there are many ways to define "next line" At some point you need to look inside the STEP file to fin the "intent" for example a threaded blind hole is made with a drill and tap, not a tiny end mill on a 6-axis machine. What are you using C++ or Python, Something else? On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 2:57 PM Bari wrote: > For now my target is to work with FreeCAD/Path. FreeCAD uses a geometry > engine based on Open CASCADE. I'm looking at some physics engines now to > handle the collision avoidance between the tools, material and work > holders. > > I'm am also looking at being able to input factors for the tools and > material to be able to create more optimal paths than just raster scans. > 1" dia carbide roughing end mill on a 20HP VMC vs 1HP spindle on robot > arm and tool steel vs 60xx aluminum. > > On 7/12/21 4:17 PM, Matthew Herd wrote: > > Hi Bari, > > > > Though I'm no expert, your goal is admirable. I would say typically I do > > tend to use the larger tools first when feasible (i.e. excluding > situations > > where I might have to drill first). I try to use an adaptive tool path > > whenever possible too. I then move to one of many finishing strategies > > (contour, horizontal, pencil, etc.) > > > > I think traditional roughing was probably rather raster oriented. > Probably > > just work in a constant stepover and depth of cut and go round the part > in > > a roughly square path. However, I don't know because I have very limited > > experience with CAM packages prior to Fusion360 about 6 years ago when > > adaptive was pretty much standard. I dabbled with MasterCAM in about > 2005, > > but I can't recall if there was an adaptive tool path back then. I don't > > believe there was, but I never dug that deep. > > > > Matt > > > > On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 5:10 PM Bari wrote: > > > >> I'm am working on creating open software for creating tool paths for 4+ > >> axis machines. > >> > >> > >> What are your approaches to machining when using 4+ axis machines? > >> > >> > >> Hog out as much as possible first using the largest roughing tools first > >> then moving to smaller? > >> > >> > >> Any fine points to consider? > >> > >> > >> One vendor of 5-axis CAM markets adaptive technology to speed up the > >> process. Not exactly sure what they used to do when creating paths with > >> their older software vs newer. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ___ > >> Emc-users mailing list > >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > >> > > > > > ___ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > -- Chris Albertson Redondo Beach, California ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] >3-axis CAM Development
For now my target is to work with FreeCAD/Path. FreeCAD uses a geometry engine based on Open CASCADE. I'm looking at some physics engines now to handle the collision avoidance between the tools, material and work holders. I'm am also looking at being able to input factors for the tools and material to be able to create more optimal paths than just raster scans. 1" dia carbide roughing end mill on a 20HP VMC vs 1HP spindle on robot arm and tool steel vs 60xx aluminum. On 7/12/21 4:17 PM, Matthew Herd wrote: Hi Bari, Though I'm no expert, your goal is admirable. I would say typically I do tend to use the larger tools first when feasible (i.e. excluding situations where I might have to drill first). I try to use an adaptive tool path whenever possible too. I then move to one of many finishing strategies (contour, horizontal, pencil, etc.) I think traditional roughing was probably rather raster oriented. Probably just work in a constant stepover and depth of cut and go round the part in a roughly square path. However, I don't know because I have very limited experience with CAM packages prior to Fusion360 about 6 years ago when adaptive was pretty much standard. I dabbled with MasterCAM in about 2005, but I can't recall if there was an adaptive tool path back then. I don't believe there was, but I never dug that deep. Matt On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 5:10 PM Bari wrote: I'm am working on creating open software for creating tool paths for 4+ axis machines. What are your approaches to machining when using 4+ axis machines? Hog out as much as possible first using the largest roughing tools first then moving to smaller? Any fine points to consider? One vendor of 5-axis CAM markets adaptive technology to speed up the process. Not exactly sure what they used to do when creating paths with their older software vs newer. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] >3-axis CAM Development
Hi Bari, Though I'm no expert, your goal is admirable. I would say typically I do tend to use the larger tools first when feasible (i.e. excluding situations where I might have to drill first). I try to use an adaptive tool path whenever possible too. I then move to one of many finishing strategies (contour, horizontal, pencil, etc.) I think traditional roughing was probably rather raster oriented. Probably just work in a constant stepover and depth of cut and go round the part in a roughly square path. However, I don't know because I have very limited experience with CAM packages prior to Fusion360 about 6 years ago when adaptive was pretty much standard. I dabbled with MasterCAM in about 2005, but I can't recall if there was an adaptive tool path back then. I don't believe there was, but I never dug that deep. Matt On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 5:10 PM Bari wrote: > I'm am working on creating open software for creating tool paths for 4+ > axis machines. > > > What are your approaches to machining when using 4+ axis machines? > > > Hog out as much as possible first using the largest roughing tools first > then moving to smaller? > > > Any fine points to consider? > > > One vendor of 5-axis CAM markets adaptive technology to speed up the > process. Not exactly sure what they used to do when creating paths with > their older software vs newer. > > > > > ___ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > -- Matthew Herd Email: herd.m...@gmail.com Cell: 610-608-8930 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] >3-axis CAM Development
I'm am working on creating open software for creating tool paths for 4+ axis machines. What are your approaches to machining when using 4+ axis machines? Hog out as much as possible first using the largest roughing tools first then moving to smaller? Any fine points to consider? One vendor of 5-axis CAM markets adaptive technology to speed up the process. Not exactly sure what they used to do when creating paths with their older software vs newer. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
