Toolpath for machining normal to a surface?

[keithTXQGE]

I'm trying to think of ways to machine this type of feature that would be too long for an endmill to reach vertically. Is there a toolpath for 5 Axis that would function sort of like Horizontal but also stays normal to the surface?

Sort of like this:

[DarthBane55 · Accepted solution]

If your "floor" is an arc, use 2d contour with "wrap toolpath" turned on.

If not, I think swarf will do that in 5-axis.

[keithTXQGE]

Interesting, i didn't know wrap would work on just a partial arc. Swarf only uses the side of the tool so that wouldn't work, but wrap with 2D definitely did the trick thanks!

[DarthBane55]

I am pretty sure that swarf would work.  I have attached a file, where I made a similar part to what you posted.  It does one side almost correctly, but the lead-out is wrong.  Then it comes back the other side (which is should NOT according to the red arrow side to cut), but it does, and on that other side, the end is considered the lead-out of this toolpath, with no lead-in.  I believe this is a bug, it shouldn't cut both sides.

It would be cool is @seth.madore  could have a look and let me know if it's a bug, or if swarf is really not meant for this...

[seth.madore]

1) I'd think Swarf would be okay to use, although somewhat finicky.

2) That certainly should not be cutting back through the model like that

3) I'd actually use Flow:

 

[DarthBane55]

@seth.madore thanks for looking!

I see the path is very clean, but it is not on the wall and you don't have any finish allowance set.  I guess you'd have to really calculate the surface width vs the stepover and make a surface that makes a whole number of passes to arrive right on the wall?

Do you think the swarf issue warrants a case number, or it is simple not ideal for this?  I think it should do it, then it would be on the wall exactly.  Wrap is best in this particular case, but that is only because we are dealing with a single perfect radius.  If we had some sort of spline surface, we would need either swarf or flow.

[seth.madore]

It does warrant closer investigation, and yes, a ticket number. I'm just kinda busy at the moment, I'll try to get to it tomorrow 😛

[seth.madore]

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