CAM: Zig-zag and cuting in mixed cut direction

[eex23]

Hello,

one more thing is not clear for me in nx cam. Again look at the attached example.
Simple operation Mill_planar->planar_mill. Cutting pattern - Zig zag. Cutting direction conventional or climb-cut. Is it possible to alter it to mixed, i.e. I want tool to cut material in both directions. Is it possible to do this in nx?

NX7.5.1.5, win xp 32bit.

Thanks.

 

[jarek30]

exx23,

I'm not sure if I understand your question. In a zig-zag cut pattern tool is cutting material in both directions. What you can choose is the angle of the pattern. But you know that for sure. If your question means if the system is able to generate toolpath both conventional and climb cut at the same time, the answer is no. It does not make any sense to do that.

 

[eex23]

Thanks for the reply.

Look at the attached example again (the same as previous, but one more operation added).
Why it is possible to cut in mixed cut direction using "planar_profile" operation? It means, that the system is able to generate conventional and climb cutting at the same time, yes?
I cannot understand, why it is impossible (or as you say there is no sense) to do the same with zig-zag cut pattern in mill_planar operation? I simply want the tool to cut the material in the same zig-zag pattern in both directions (in that case the tool will not come back to its start position after each cutted level, so I will save some time).

 

[jarek30]

exx23,

Now, I understand what you've meant. And truely speaking, I have no idea why. I'm sure, it is not possible to do that using planar_mill operation (as there is no option for that). But at the other hand - how much time can you save? Not so much. Anyway, it's a good observation. Maybe there is a deeper meaning of not using mixed pattern in zig-zag. But I still (looking at the whole picture: tool burial, cutting condition, etc) do not see the sense of using this type of pattern. Profiling is the complete other story.

 

[eex23]

It is sad, if it is true.... because our production manager wants to save time in any operation if it is possible. The other problem that I am not real CAM guy, just post-processing simple operations for real CAM guy who is quite buisy. So I do not know specifics of manufacturing enough.
and I still cannot believe, that such powerful application such as NX is so unflexible in simple operations

Thanks again for the answer.

 

[wmalan]

There are many ways to skin a cat in NX. I don't have access to NX at home and work has no connection to the outside... Could you post a pic of the view showing what your getting vs. what you'd like? I do very large airframe work put a lot of effort towards efficient toolpath. I think we can figure this out.

--
Bill

 

[eex23]

Ok, there is a picture of my "complex" part
I think you will understand what I need.

Thanks for the help.

 

[raysapp]

Actually, what he's looking for is not unreasonable. On large parts and slow, big machines the time it takes to rapid traverse to starting point can be significant on multi depth operations. NX actually recognizes this on cavity mill where it starts with the last region when moving to next z depth. A similar enhancement to planar mill would have some value.

Ray S
NX 7.0.1.7

http://www.appliedprecisionproducts.com

 

[wmalan]

Ok, finally have a chance to look at it...

You may not like this answer at first but once you do it a few times, it's really easy: Sequential Mill.


Drive the back wall - offset to the middle then the front wall at each pass then dropping down and reversing at each end. You achieve the goal without creating any additional geometry. We do this all the time for our large parts with slow rapids as well. That is a perfect part for it.

--
Bill