topic Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem in FeatureCAM Forum

4 Axis Wirecut Problem

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 04:13:12 GMT

I am setting up a 4 axis wire cut for a custom lathe tool.

The top and bottom profiles look good:

When I step ahead to show the the full 4 axis directional cut, just before selecting the wire start and end points, I get an extra cutting segment outside of the top and bottom curves. One to the right follows the side, but the left side is well back into the stock.

When I move ahead to see if I can edit the start and end points, the extra cuts remain.

This is my first 4 axis wire cut and after some head scratching, I can't figure where the other curves are coming from.

Any suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong or something else to try would be appreciated!!!

Bruce

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

graham.goodier — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 08:59:05 GMT

Hi there, thanks for posting!

Please could you upload the part so I can take a look for you?

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:16:54 GMT

Hello Graham,

I went back this morning and recreated the curves to try another cut just in case I had left some extraneous curve in, but I got the same error. You can see the upper curve in red in the photo below. I am not able to figure where the two extensions to the top curve are coming from (or how to delete them).

The FM file is attached.

Thanks for taking a look!!!

Bruce

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:06:29 GMT

Graham,

I found my error in setting up the wire start and entry points. I was misinterpreting what I was seeing and a little tweaking got me going.

The wire simulation now runs fine, but when I try to look at the NC Code, all that was there was "Empty Setup" and the error "Regenerate Tool Paths".

Likely I am missing something easy here on why the setup is empty or how to regenerate tool paths. But after going back over everything I can think of (plus an Internet search), I can't find a way to get the post generated. When I have previously run wire or mill ops, the G-code is generated automatically following a successful simulation.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

Best regards,

Bruce

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

abhishek.juvekar — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 04:18:00 GMT

Hello @Anonymous,

Is it possible for you to supply fm file and post processor? You can send data via private message if you don't want to disclose it on forum.

Thank You.

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:09:12 GMT

Hello Juvekaa,

I am trying to make a simple buttress thread cutting tool insert (3/8"x3/8"x3") for a boring bar in a lathe application. The .fm file is attached.

The wire machine is a Mitsubishi EDM. I found a file in the FeatureCAM Posts directory labeled MITSUI.CNC and it is only my best guess that this is the post processor file. It was file specified in the FeatureCAM PostProcessor drop down menu. Let me know if that is not the proper file. It is attached as well.

I noted that one of the tapers in the model was approximately 20 degrees.I got the that this might exceed the maximum taper angle that the Mitsubishi EDM machine was capable of. FeatureCAM simulated the 20 degree taper without an error so I didn't think that would be causing the problem. To test this, I made a simple model with only a 10 degree taper along its face. The FeatureCAM simulation ran fine on the smaller angle, but gave the same "Empty Setup" error when I tried to look at the NC Code generated.

So this 10 degree taper is within the Mitsubishi taper spec, but I still get the "EMPTY SETUP" error and no g-code is generated for the single cut test model.

My search on the Internet for "Empty Setup" & FeatureCAM gave one link ... but unfortunately no resolution as to what was causing the empty setup.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/featurecam-forum/tilt-for-gouge-avoidance/td-p/7497466

Thank you for your reply and assistance!

Best regards,

Bruce

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 22:55:35 GMT

Juvekaa,

Here is the .fm file I used for that one simple, 10 degree taper undercut in the prior post.

Maybe the trivial geometry will help uncover what FeatureCAM needs to move ahead after the simulation runs and generate g-code for the wirecut.

Thanks!
Bruce

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 20:16:35 GMT

Upgraded to fcam 2017 r1 23.0.0.98 and that issue has been resolved and the wire cut works.

Bruce

Re: 4 Axis Wirecut Problem

bhorstTGM48 — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 21:01:13 GMT

I would suggest you upgrade 2017 to ,2017 R1 SP5, Version 23.5.0.21. Many fixes enhancements and it is very stable.

https://www.screencast.com/t/3B8OljiBH1pd