Add full retracts during CAM operation to allow swarf clearance

[andrewbarton]

I've got a tapered hole and I would like to be able to include a full retract and pause several times during the operation to remove accumulated swarf at the bottom.  Of course I could:

1. split the operation into several and use modified top and bottom heights to provide the retraction
2. manually edit the G-code to add a retract and pause
3. hit the 'RESET' button on the controller, manually jog the Z axis up and then resume at the next line number

All these are fiddly and the first two would need to be modified each time if the underlying CAM operation was changed in any way, e.g. changing feed rate.

Any good ideas out there??

[Anonymous]

You could duplicate operation few times and use progressively deeper engagement in Z axis, with manual NC and "action" (M0), to stop and clear chips.

[andrewbarton]

Thanks, but that's what I was trying to describe in my point 1.
Entirely feasible but if I wanted to make even the smallest change (a slight feed adjustment, say) I would have to do it for all the duplicated operations.

I was thinking of something like a full retract peck drilling cycle where I could use the controller's 'FEED HOLD' at the top of the retract, clear the swarf and then 'CYCLE START' to resume the operation...

[Anonymous]

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If swarf operation doesn't allow you to do what you want, then there are better ways then assisting with override buttons at machine, for one use other strategies to remove stock then finish using swarf.

[Anonymous]

I don't work with these kind of tool paths but looking at linking tab, there is option to use full retract.

I am sort of lost as to what your original issue is because it looks like you have the option to keep rapid retract at low percentage and work with feed hold button ?

The alternative is to insert M0 in desired places and have machine stop, clean chips and continue.

[seth.madore]

There are no "built-in" solutions in the toolpath for chip clearing. Your best options is to split it into a few operations. Of course, if you have high pressure coolant, just run that and it should do a great job of clearing it out

[andrewbarton · Accepted solution]

Hi Seth,

Thanks for the comments.  I've only an 'open' machine so flood coolant isn't an option.  Even if it was, for this project I'm milling graphite so dust extraction with a shop vac is what works for me.  I think I'll add a couple of lines of G-code to retract to Z home and pause for a few seconds prior to resuming...

Thanks again to all who help out on this forum.