Rigid Tapping & tool setup
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:13 am
Lets start by saying we are new (about 4 months)to CNC & CAM and I honestly believe that VisualMill has to be about the best bang for your buck software to be had. I am an experienced SolidWorks user and am familier with high cost (initial purchase & maintenance fees) although I would never give it up. I researched CAM software and made a lot of phone calls for a couple of months before we purchased VM and have been extremely pleased with the product and the support.
I will always have suggestions and comments though.
In VM4 under drilling ops I thought there was a greyed out "rigid Tap" radio button. I had myself fairly convinced that VM5 would see that functionality completed and available for use. I was quite disappointed when it was gone altogether. My machine is a Fadal with 88HS control. Is there any chance that anybody has something put together (in a Post maybe) that will allow me to use my rigid tap board. It would really mean a lot to me.
In regards to the tool set up, specifically the center drill. I find this one very difficult to use as is.
My first thought is. Centre drills are manufactured on world standard data (all dimensions available in machinerys Handbook) Why not save us all some time and give us a standard PICK LIST?
Other than that the tip length, taper angle, & flute length are difficult to work with(measure).
Tip length would be easiest measured up the straight side of the tip length from the end of the tip angle to the start of the taper angle.
Taper angle is most always given from the manufacturers as an included angle why not input the same way? (although a centerdrill is ALWAYS 60 degrees or it WOULDNT be a Centredrill).
Flute length would be easiest measured up the straight OD from the end of the Taper Angle to the end of the cutting flute.
A programmer sitting at their desk with a scale or vernier could accurately enough input the tool data if changed to this method. The way it is now you need to have tool setting holder and height gauge to be accurate on tool configuration. This costs us time and time is money so instead of doing it accurately it just gets "winged" and hope it's good enough.
This would be good for all "pointed" tool creation.
I was also wondering what is the point of asking for cutter material and number of flutes?
If you were to add a pick box for "common" material to be cut and have VM5 use this data to calculate a basic feed and speed setup from this, that would be "CATS ASS"
THANKS
DEREK
I will always have suggestions and comments though.
In VM4 under drilling ops I thought there was a greyed out "rigid Tap" radio button. I had myself fairly convinced that VM5 would see that functionality completed and available for use. I was quite disappointed when it was gone altogether. My machine is a Fadal with 88HS control. Is there any chance that anybody has something put together (in a Post maybe) that will allow me to use my rigid tap board. It would really mean a lot to me.
In regards to the tool set up, specifically the center drill. I find this one very difficult to use as is.
My first thought is. Centre drills are manufactured on world standard data (all dimensions available in machinerys Handbook) Why not save us all some time and give us a standard PICK LIST?
Other than that the tip length, taper angle, & flute length are difficult to work with(measure).
Tip length would be easiest measured up the straight side of the tip length from the end of the tip angle to the start of the taper angle.
Taper angle is most always given from the manufacturers as an included angle why not input the same way? (although a centerdrill is ALWAYS 60 degrees or it WOULDNT be a Centredrill).
Flute length would be easiest measured up the straight OD from the end of the Taper Angle to the end of the cutting flute.
A programmer sitting at their desk with a scale or vernier could accurately enough input the tool data if changed to this method. The way it is now you need to have tool setting holder and height gauge to be accurate on tool configuration. This costs us time and time is money so instead of doing it accurately it just gets "winged" and hope it's good enough.
This would be good for all "pointed" tool creation.
I was also wondering what is the point of asking for cutter material and number of flutes?
If you were to add a pick box for "common" material to be cut and have VM5 use this data to calculate a basic feed and speed setup from this, that would be "CATS ASS"
THANKS
DEREK