Turn/Milling a variable depth pocket wrapped around part's OD

[invapprentice]

Hi guys:

Turn/Mill operation indexing around Z Axis. (.ipt , .fm and .fmp files attached)

I have been trying to cut a pocket wrapped around the OD. It is not concentric with part's Z Axis. It grows deeper around the OD. Depth goes from zero to .039". I have tried a Face, Pocket, Slot...... 

Also: Any idea why I cannot group side2, 3 and 4 in a Pattern? The optionn "Radial Around Index Axis" is Greyed Out, but I wasn't to group the Holes in a Pattern.

I'm using FeatureCAM Ultimate 2020. Post Processor: Haas Turn/Mill ST-20 Y

I know I am asking too much help.

Please help

Thanks in advance.

[Matthias.K · Accepted solution]

Hi!

Regarding the pocket, here's how I would have done it:

1. You must process this one in a separate Setup, so create a new one beside you other turn / milling features
2. Create a curve from surface edges that looks like screenshot below. Like all the edges that cut the outer diameter.
3. Create another curve from that newly created curve using "Unwrap"
4. Create a turn/mill feature "Pocket" using this unwraped curve and select "Wrap it around z axis" on the dimensions tab of that feature. Use a ball end mill for it
5. Now align the UCS of that setup to the center of the not concentric radius
6. Done

I have attached the FM project so you can have a look at it.

[kelbie.ockey]

Creative approach! Seems like it should probably work.

Alternatives might include surface milling, or potentially tricking a wrapped slot to do the same thing. That would require your centerline curve not to be tangent to the OD like normal, but simply varying in X to match the desired floor.

[invapprentice]

Awesome!!!!

Thank you Matthias for taking time to answer and make it work. 

 I can see it works perfect. I thought it could be done in the same setup.

If I understand you right, I'll need soft jaws machined (milled) off center. The center of rotation in the center of the pocket floor.

Now  have to figure out the orientation to keep relationship with other features. But it works perfect.

Thanks a lot. Thank you.

[invapprentice]

Thank you for your help.

I appreciate it.

Thanks

[invapprentice]

Hi Matthias:

I am sorry I am coming back with this:

I just did what you taught me in your example, but my part is not indexing around the Setup UCS. I aligned over and over; with a Curve I created in the center of the pocket floor, off the Stock UCS. I did it using both choices "Translate" and "Align"

Everything works right but the indexing. Could you take a look and see what I am doing wrong.

By the way I do not know why FeatureCAM generates a so many operations.

Thanks in advance

Thank you

[Matthias.K]

Hi,

doubbleclick "Stock" and under properties -> index select index axcis "UCS_Setup1" as axis for Stock.

Happy new Year!

[invapprentice]

Thanks Guys.

I posted this question a long time ago but never received a notification when you answered it.

Thanks for the help.