Rotary toolpath ONLY Around X (A) Axis?

[bobbyW3KYK]

Hi,

I am trying to use the rotary toolpath, which is the main reason I purchased the manufacturing extension, in my five axis.  The problem I am having is that I can't get it not to revolve around the X axis or A axis.  When I pick the rotary axis in the toolpath it always puts the axis parallel to the the X or makes it an A.  My 5ax rotary table revolves around the C axis or what would be the Y when tilted (Z when sitting at zero).

Am I missing something or is it truly locked down to the A axis only and doesn't work with many 5 axis machines.

Other tool path options don't give the desired result that the rotary path seems to effortlessly post out.  Flow and others take a long time to process and are never quite right.

Thanks!

[Richard.stubley]

Hi @bobbyW3KYK,

Can you attach your Fusion project please. 

I'm sure we can get this working I use rotary on our HAAS VF2 with a T160Y trunnion, so a similar 5 axis setup to you.

[bobbyW3KYK]

This example isn't orientated but is similar to what is needed.  In the 5 axis it would sit vertical as set up.  I require the C axis to turn 90deg and cut as a rotary toolpath.

This runs fine in my 4th axis that revolves around the A, but I need to machine as one set up in the 5 axis.  I have many parts similar to this.

I can get something to work but this should be fundamental to the rotary toolpath it seems.

Thanks!

[engineguy]

Seems to be set up to rotate around the X axis, have you tried doing an extra line in the Sketch at 90 deg to the other lines as in the image below and select that for your rotary orientation? Worth a try 🙂 🙂 🙂

Stay Safe

Regards

Rob

[bobbyW3KYK]

This just doesn't seem acceptable.  If the rotary tool path is considered a multi axis path it should in no way be linked only to one option for configuration.  How could that even be?  I hope I am missing something. 

This is as bad as the fact that the 5 axis paths have no good option for undercutting. Two things that change the dynamic of the value of fusion to me and many.  Granted those including me in the industry know it is a great value!

I have many shops I have sold on fusion until I tell them that the 5 axis path is limited to only vertical shadow access, no good undercutting.  That one add on would win the sale of many just in the shops that I work with....but stops it dead in its tracks to convincing a shop to make the complicated journey to switch software's......

[johnswetz1982]

What is unacceptable? You do not have your axis picked correctly. You picked it to rotate about the X (A) axis. If you want it to rotate about the Y (B) axis or do a B-90 rotate about C you have to set it up properly.

[bobbyW3KYK]

Did you actually get this to work.  Seems like it is not working for me or others because as soon as you pick the rotary axis it considers it the X with no alternative that I see.

I hope I am wrong but I am trying really hard to get around it.....have yet to hit the right combination.

[bobbyW3KYK]

This part was not set up for 5 axis, it was just an example of a part.

[johnswetz1982]

I dont have rotary to be able to set it up for you, but the initial setup needs to have the Z axis be along the part if you have a BC machine.

[engineguy]

@bobbyW3KYK 

Doesn`t need to be setup for 5 axis to be able to use the Rotary function, it is actually only a 4th axis toolpath as it simply rotates around a specific selected axis so it is simply a matter of selecting the axis the user wants to rotate around, everything in any Cam software usually has a "Default" of some description and in this particular case it is the X axis because that would be the most common, ie A axis rotating around the X axis.

Your example file doesn`t have anything that is easily selectable to use the Y axis rotation which is why I added the extra line to more easily select the axis of rotation.

Very simple really, where on the CNC Machine is the part mounted? That`s where the rotational axis is selected, a 4th axis, after that it is a matter of having the right PP to get the code needed for your specific machine, with the greatest of respect surely someone with your experience can grasp that ?? 🙂 🙂 🙂

Stay Safe

Regards

Rob

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

I'm not too sure I understand what is not working here.  In the sample file, the setup Z axis is aligned as it would be on a 4 axis rotary table but it has no effect on the rotary toolpath axis.  If you look at those two pictures, I've aligned my setup as the part could be on a 5 axis milling (thinking we would be starting from a round stock and holding it into a chuck) and I've set the toolpath revolution axis to be around the cylinder which aligns the tool normal to this cylinder and does what the strategy is expected to do.

Are we all missing something here?

Joining my fusion project and few pictures just in case.

[bobbyW3KYK]

Ok, it is obviously me that is missing something so don't feel that I am not trusting in anyone's gratuitous advice.

So that is how I set it up, like I said the example I sent was just a part example.  I can't show the actual part.  But in the png attached isn't the rotary path still along the X.  I can get that far, but my 5 axis is a C axis so when tilted it rotates around the  Y.  When I post as shown, it doesn't post correctly at all.  Could it be that my post needs to be adjusted, but it posts fine for other 5 axis paths so the config of the machine is OK it seems.

Maybe I am fundamentally missing something.

Thanks again....

[michael.grenier4GVTU]

I feel like this is a post thing since when I generate the code here with a table/table haas post, I'm getting c rotations anb b positonning as I would expect:

(T1 D=0.375 CR=0.1875 - ball end mill)
N10 G90 G94 G17
N15 G20
N20 G53 G0 Z0.

(Rotary5)
N25 T1 M6
(3/8 Inch Ball Nose)
N30 S1000 M3
N35 G54
N40 G53 G0 X-29. Y-8.
N45 M11
N50 M13
N55 G0 B90. C-13320. <------  Tilts at 90deg
N60 M8
N65 G234 H1
N70 G0 X3.5738 Y-0.0699
N75 Z0.04
N80 G0 B90. C-13320.
N85 G1 X1.9028 Y-0.0372 F650.
N90 X1.8937 Y-0.037 F15.
N95 X1.8228
N100 X1.8161 Y-0.0364 F30.
....

N125 X1.7881 Y-0.0137
N130 X1.786 Y-0.0068
N135 X1.7853 Y0.
N140 X1.7849 Y0.0341 C-13318.905  <----rotary toolpath starts
N145 X1.7836 Y0.072 C-13317.688
N150 X1.7815 Y0.1099 C-13316.471
N155 X1.7785 Y0.1477 C-13315.254
N160 X1.7746 Y0.1854 C-13314.037
N165 X1.7698 Y0.223 C-13312.82
N170 X1.7641 Y0.2604 C-13311.602
N175 X1.7577 Y0.2978 C-13310.385
N180 X1.7503 Y0.3349 C-13309.167
N185 X1.7421 Y0.3719 C-13307.949
N190 X1.7299 Y0.4209 C-13306.324
N195 X1.7198 Y0.4574 C-13305.106
N200 X1.7088 Y0.4936 C-13303.887
N205 X1.697 Y0.5296 C-13302.667
N210 X1.6845 Y0.5654 C-13301.448