[Spencer myers]

In solidworks, I have drawn a wood hoop for a snare drum using arcs and circles. I'm confused as to why the cnc machine cuts the arcs as short segments which causes the end result to be a little choppy rather then smooth g3 codes for arcs. I have noticed that it does this when use the 3d mill in constant Z and it cuts out the part pretty quickly. But if I use HSM, it cuts those smooth ars in one motion like I want it too. But it cuts the part so slow that it would hours to cut it out and burn the wood and the bit too. That's with the feed rate all the way up. Am I missing something here? I like HSM but don't use it because it's to slow to actually cut anything.Is there anything to do to speed it up? Or is there a way to use 3d mill to cut smooth arcs rather than segmented arcs. Thank you for your help.

[offsets]

problem is probably mac file .....sorry...this model is very okay for arcs:
;Arc definitions
arc_exist = Y Y
arc_3d = Y
arc_quadrants = N
arc_gt_180 = Y
arc_max_chord = 30.0000, 1.1811
arc_max_angle = 10.0000
arc_max_radius = 2000.0000, 78.7402

[pinguS]

I always thought HSM outputs in line code and does not use G2 or G3 ars. So all arcs are line segments.

[offsets]

pingus.....I can help you very very easy....

[Spencer myers]

How do I change the Mac file is that easy.

[offsets]

(HSM-R-CONT-TARGET-T2-1 - HSM-AREA-CLEARANCE)
(-------------------------------------------)
G0 X7.247 Y17.9 Z16.
Z5.255
G1 Y17.632 Z4.255 F33
Y16.9 Z3.523
Y15.9 Z3.255
G3 X17.542 Y8.794 Z2.793 R7.6
X20.535 Y20.939 Z2.332 R7.6
X8.117 Y19.432 Z1.87 R7.6
X13.931 Y8.355 Z1.409 R7.6
X22.226 Y17.718 Z0.947 R7.6
X10.53 Y22.154 Z0.486 R7.6
X10.53 Y9.645 Z0.024 R7.6
X22.226 Y14.081 Z-0.437 R7.6
X13.931 Y23.444 Z-0.899 R7.6
X8.117 Y12.368 Z-1.36 R7.6
X20.535 Y10.86 Z-1.822 R7.6
X17.542 Y23.006 Z-2.283 R7.6
X7.247 Y15.9 Z-2.745 R7.6
G1 Y11.11 F100
G3 X11.11 Y7.247 R3.863
G1 X32.476
G3 X32.629 Y7.983 R0.384
G2 X25.352 Y12.702 R43.761
G1 X13.937 Y23.996
G2 X7.888 Y33.354 R26.579
G3 X7.247 Y33.228 R0.333
G1 Y15.9

[T D]

Did you try the easy stuff first? If not lower the number in solidcam facet tolerance. Keep us updated.

[Spencer myers]

Ok well, I tried using 3D mill constant Z for the operation like I always do and changed the facet to .001 and the curvature tolerance to .001 and the arc aproxamation to .001. For some reason it works really well. I'm getting the smooth motion, not segments. But this same setting does not work for another projects that have no arcs but splines. Is there a way to get that to go smooth? Or is it the stepper motors that need upgrading to handle spline equations. Or is it the control board. Or the Mac file. Any thoughts on that. Thank you, I'm a lot closer to getting usable parts now. All that's left is to figure out these splines.

[offsets]

spencer?.....are 2 files...mac or gpp. files......problem is simple ... very simple!
enjoy it!!!!You need to know some programming cnc .... and SOLIDCAM. HSM and HSS are modules complicated ..very complicated for some users........you and much more 3D milling is very okay .....It's advanced milling....advanced programmers CAM and designers CAD ...CNC!

[Spencer myers]

I've fiddled around with it somemore and discovered that when gives a G3 it's followed a bunch of X Y moves before the next g code so it does the spline move or arc but with in that it has tiny little movements of X Y. Is this normal or should it actually be one single X Y move at varying feed rates to create the spline or arc untill it hits another direction. Am I just to picky.
Are you saying by altering the Mac or Gpp file, it will fix this?

[offsets]

exactly..the problem is gpp. or mac files....for arc exist.....arc 3D or arc180 or arc360...look here model....

G2 X94. Y25. I0. J-7.5---------- model arc G2 NE DEGREES 90
G1 X-24.
G3 X-24. Y10. I0. J-7.5-------- model arc G3 NE DEGREES 90


OR.....ANOTHER MODEL IS:

G1
X42.599 Y31.17 Z0. F33
X42.564 Y31.227 Z-0.015 C-56.26 B-81.524 F1000
X42.511 Y31.3 Z0. C-54.162 B-81.519
X42.514 Y31.417 Z-0.486 C-52. B-81.503
X42.573 Y31.344 Z-0.507 C-54.19 B-81.496


SIMULTANEOUS ARCS..........TILTING AND AROUND AXES.


PLEASE ...POST YOU .....MODEL CAD ....HERE ......OKAY?

[Spencer myers]

I see the last example a lot in my codes. I tried looking for a way to open the Mac or Gpp to alterr them in the past but after hours of just trying to find them I failed. If you could give me a quick step by step in detail on how to open these files, that would be so helpful. Should I take pictures of the files before I mess with them incase I screw up things I can just put it back. Cause I really don't know what I'm doing. Thank you so much for your time.

[offsets]

Okay...I understand you....well well....this software is very very powerfull...best in class...so.....RESPECT CAD/CAM SW&SC-GOOD JOB!
Some things are hard to understand..so....I need from you to attach here this model....3D file ....because I need to understand what the machine is...MILLING MACHINE?.......3.....4...5...axis?..or..........mi ll-turn ..?...I do not know it!
please attach you.....cad model.....3d file.
Thank you very much for understanding!

[Spencer myers]

Ok thank you. Give me a day or so and I'll figure out how to post my cad file for ya. My machine is just a small 2ft by 4ft hobby that I built myself from ground up. It's a three axis milling machine used with a wood router and a dremel tool. It works great it's all metal, really strong and has zero backlash. I don't know the kind of motors I have on it but they are 305 oz steppers. Hope this gives more of an idea of what I have. I'll will post my file soon. Thank you

[offsets]

okay......I wait for you....soon ....with the model 3D file.
bye bye..kiss kiss see you later.....:P

[pinguS]

Offsets, as crazy as you sound on CNCZone, you obviously know stuff, what parameter / variable do you change in the MAC file and GPP file to allow arcs rather than segments?

[offsets]

But where?

[pinguS]

ok

[offsets]

okay ..what?
If you want to explain .. you understand CNC SOLIDCAM algorithms ....!from the files gpp and mac.

[Spencer myers]

Offsets- I just found a virus in my computer, so I can't up load any files at this time. Can you tell me how exactly I would open the Mac or Gpp and what to change in it once opened. If you want when I get home I could write out the g code for you. But I can't post the file. Thank you