Y-axis lathe programming question

[marshal.fitch]

I've got an NLX2500 y-axis lathe on the way and am trying to figure out how to program a few parts for it.  Most of what I want to do had been pretty straightforward, but I'm struggling to figure out how to get Fusion to run an endmill around a non-round part.  I'm trying to put a groove in the blue area in the picture with an endmill mounted in live tool holder.    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[a.laasW8M6T]

you could do it with a keyseat/slotting cutter in an axial livetool holder pretty easy, depending on how far you need to reach with a simple 2D contour operation.

If you want to do it with a radial Live tool you will likely need to use rotary(an extension toolpath), but you may be able to do a wrapped 2D contour but it wont be pretty.

If you upload your file someone may be able to offer up some examples

[seth.madore]

Wrapped 2D Contour only works with cylindrical features, so that's out of the question. There is a Preview Flag in the Preferences that will restrict Flow to 4-axis. Be advised though, that once this is released into production, it will end up in the Extensions. The other (better) option is Rotary, which is also an Extension item

[marshal.fitch]

The file is attached for anyone to try.

Keyseat cutter is how I'm doing it now in my VMC.  I've also only got axial 2 live holders coming with the machine, both of which will be used on this already.  

When I try doing the Rotary toolpaths, it doesn't follow it very well.  It dips into the center of the flat area for some reason.

[marshal.fitch]

Maybe I'm wrong in what Fusion or the lathe can actually do?  The lathe should definitely be able to cut this part, right?  It'd have to move X, Y, and Z in time with the C (spindle), but that shouldn't be an issue, but can Fusion program that, or do I need to look into other CAM software?

[seth.madore]

The issue is in Fusion being able to do this in an effective manner, not the lathes abilities 😞

[marshal.fitch · Accepted solution]

I think I figured out a way to make it work "good enough".  I do the flat part of the groove with a pair of 2D contours, and the curved side with a rotary with angular limits set so it just touches those curves with a little overlap.  For what I'm using them for I think it'll work.  Of course, I won't know for sure until I can actually try it on the machine.