[TTalma]

I was wondering how to get artcam to make a tool path on a 4th axis. I figured out how to transform the model to a cylinder shape, but when I make a tool path it is using X and Y not A as I expected. And the simulation in Mach3 shows a 2-d image. Is there a way to make it map to the A axis?

I'm using artcam 2008 if that makes a difference.

Thanks

[Fixittt]

artcam will always simulate the toolpath in a flat. Just the way it does it.
When you created the toolpath did it show the red lines going around the model?
Save the toolpath with the rotarty posprocessor.

[TTalma]

When I run the simulation it does show it going around the model, but when I look at the generated file it shows x,y,z coords. I would expect it to be in X,A,Z. And confirmed in Mach3 it is not rotary.

I was unable to find how to save with the rotary post processor. I am learning artCAM and not finding very intuitive.

[Fixittt]

Here is a little tutorial video I did years ago. Ver. 8.1 but the steps should be pretty close to the same as 08.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLxa80xmv28

I hope this helps.

[TTalma]

Thanks the tutorial was great. I actually wrote a program to convert an axis from flat to rotary since I couldn't figure it out. But with your tutorial I'll be able to do it directly.

[Fixittt]

glad to hear it.