Using a milling tool to rough groove on lathe

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I'm trying to rough out a large ring using a milling tool.

I want to use a bullnose end mill like a grooving tool.

I'm using a NLX lathe any ideas of the G code i need.

I have attached a program where i have used a few ideas, any help would be welcomed.

[seth.madore]

One option is to use 2D Contour > Wrap. Now, this doesn't work with full 360 toolpaths, so we can use Planes and split the surface into a 359.5 (or even smaller) arc:

 That does post out with your Post Processor. The one downside is that it does plunge into material....

[Anonymous]

I think best option is 3D pocket, I divided ring into segments that keep tool within Y axis range and minimize air cutting.

Using circular pattern, C axis is indexed for each segment leaving stock, followed with 2 passes using grooving tool.

I don't have access to Rotary but from what I recall while I had it, it doesn't do very well on vertical walls, it plunges down to next radius, grabbing all that stock in one attempt which would not be good for your tool or part.

You would have to get creative with 2D toolpaths to leave somewhat uniform amount of stock because they are not model aware and you would have to create several toolpaths to rough bottom of groove without violating model.