Site Admin
We have been asked to explain what Contact Area Only means in the machining plan options
Site Admin
The Contact area only option alters how the toolpath is created.
When on, only the model surfaces are used
When off, the square area of the billet is used as well as the model surface (in effect adding a clearance area to the model)
NB, If your 3D model is already created with a "base", then you will not see any difference in toolpaths with the option on or off
The following image hopefully shows the difference this option makes...
When on, only the model surfaces are used
When off, the square area of the billet is used as well as the model surface (in effect adding a clearance area to the model)
NB, If your 3D model is already created with a "base", then you will not see any difference in toolpaths with the option on or off
The following image hopefully shows the difference this option makes...
Attachments:
- contact-area-only.gif (84.29 KiB) Viewed 11494 times
So, what happens if your model has vertical faces, are these machined, or are vertical faces not 'seen' as a contact area? 
For instance - a vertical face on the extreme outside edge of a model....
For instance - a vertical face on the extreme outside edge of a model....
Paul Bray
General Manager, Re-Engineering Australia
General Manager, Re-Engineering Australia
Site Admin
It should recognise any side less than 90 degrees.
It will however, depend on the type of plan - eg, the Raster+Waterline combo should raster across the top surfaces and waterline down the side surfaces
With this plan, the following surface angles are used (with a small overlap):
Raster surfaces between the angles of 0 and 46 degrees (ie top faces)
Waterline surface between the angles of 44 and 90 degrees (ie side faces)
If you're having a problem with sides, it could be worth trying to put a small draft angle on the 3D CAD model and seeing if it helps
It will however, depend on the type of plan - eg, the Raster+Waterline combo should raster across the top surfaces and waterline down the side surfaces
With this plan, the following surface angles are used (with a small overlap):
Raster surfaces between the angles of 0 and 46 degrees (ie top faces)
Waterline surface between the angles of 44 and 90 degrees (ie side faces)
If you're having a problem with sides, it could be worth trying to put a small draft angle on the 3D CAD model and seeing if it helps
Site Admin
Another thought (after reading your post properly 
)
- If you want the tool to cut around and down the outside of a model, you must ensure that the machining area is bigger than the model (or billet)
Click Custom Boundary in the plan options, and increase the X/Y values so that the machining area is well outside the model
)- If you want the tool to cut around and down the outside of a model, you must ensure that the machining area is bigger than the model (or billet)
Click Custom Boundary in the plan options, and increase the X/Y values so that the machining area is well outside the model