[enkeli33]

Hi people,
I need a help with a homework from school...
I have to write a text to a cupola surface and I have to use first classic 3D engraving and then use some 5axis operation. Eventually I have to describe differences betweet these two operations. So classic 3D engraving works fine.
But the 5axis is a little problematic - I've chosen 5axis -> projection -> user defined and then I've chosen an engraving tool and tried to write a text to a cupole surface, but the tool writes exactly ON the surface, so as result - it writes nothing, it just "touches" the surface.
I need at least 0.5mm depth, so how could I make it writes a little deeper?
Thank you very much!

Edit: Solidworks 2014 and SolidCam is 2013 version x64

[RCaffin]

I am not sure I understand what you are asking, but have you tried telling the machine (somehow) that the tool is 0.5 mm longer than it really is?

Cheers
Roger

[enkeli33]

I made a picture for better explanation of my problem...

The tool just "touches" the surface so it does nothing (left)
I need the tool goes a little "lower" to make an engraving (right)
but... HOW?!

[RCaffin]

When you touch the tool to the surface to zero the machine, tell it that it is at +0.5 mm instead of 0.0 mm

Cheers
Roger

[enkeli33]

but how and where? Can't find it anywhere what affect it...

[enkeli33]

I try my question simplify a little bit more

When teacher in the school says to you he wants an engraving operation using 5 axis, what does he probably mean?

[victorofga]

probably theaccher like to asking you, perform a five axis engraving.. (that's what he means (mean teacher :-))

in your situation, the tooltip tied to the vector you projected to the surface..
now...

you generate another surface under the area where engraving going, and project vectors onto.. the offset is where you defined tooldepth
in this case you make your underlaying surface with 0.5 mm offset

another way you tell the program its a 1mm ball endmill and from touch it going 0.5 mm deep

or simply set tool offset 0.5 with G54..

you have to see trough the process, then you can make decision what you going to choose..

[enkeli33]

probably theaccher like to asking you, perform a five axis engraving.. (that's what he means (mean teacher :-))

in your situation, the tooltip tied to the vector you projected to the surface..
now...

you generate another surface under the area where engraving going, and project vectors onto.. the offset is where you defined tooldepth
in this case you make your underlaying surface with 0.5 mm offset

another way you tell the program its a 1mm ball endmill and from touch it going 0.5 mm deep

or simply set tool offset 0.5 with G54..

you have to see trough the process, then you can make decision what you going to choose..

He means*
And yes, he is also a little bit mean
Sorry for my grammar mistakes - not from english speakin' country actually

I'll try the solutions (all of them) you suggest tomorrow (here is the night already) - despite of the fact they sound kinda complicated for a student like me

Thank you very much - then I tell here if it's worked

thanks again!

btw: my friends claims it works when he left some stock material and didn't finish it
that's how it looks
Could be a solution too or it's insane?

[arikaa]

I think 0.5 is too much. Try 0.3 and finish. You can engrave a bit dipper at solidcam.

[RCaffin]

> I think 0.5 is too much. Try 0.3
Depends on the size of the letters, but I agree.
I typically engrave at 0.1 mm depth, and that is fine. Needs a flat surface though.

Cheers
Roger

[arikaa]

We are talking aluminum, right?

[victorofga]

enkeli,

that also a solution.. what is important, the engraving generally follow a vector ... so either way you program an auxillary surface under a finished, or ""don't finish"" the tool tip will go under the surface..

since practical life will require you finish a part, then engrave so youll go with auxillary surface..
but leaving some on also a way.. at least to show something to the teacher..

at this moment doesn't matter 0.1 mm or 10 mm


keep going, this is the way to learn,

repeat, repeat and again repeat
make your experiments, and always ask, ""what if""" and ""why""

it is a practice..