help for leg

[kevin]

I am stuck with the leg in this picture. I have had the indexer since just before Christmas. I can run the spiral, I can run the roughing but the only thing I cannot do is taper. I have an old copy of art cam but the numbers are out of whack on my index. The time is running out for me because I have to get these legs out on my wall unit. If anyone knows how to do it. I am trying to find the post processor for the indexing head on part works 2.5 but there is nothing to be found. I read Randall's guide and some of it helped me a lot. I figured out how to do the flutes but I can't do the taper. Eventually I want to get art cam 2010. The leg will be 34" high and 4" thick. Any help would be helpful.
I'am locking my self in the shop tommorw till I get
Thanks for any help

[myxpykalix]

kevin i sent you an email to sales at kdunphy address with an indexer app that will make your tapers for you.

[myxpykalix]

kevin your email bounced. I'll try to post it here if it fails email me and i'll send it to you. myxpykalix@hotmail.com

[jdervin]

Using the Indexer Virtual Tool that Jack has provided, I would use the "Turn a blank to a finished size" function to create a taper by entering different numbers in the "Finish radius at start point of turning pattern" and "Finish radius at end point of turning pattern" options.

Then I would use the "Turn traditional flutes, spirals, or rings" function for the flutes, making sure to set the "Radius at Start point of turning pattern" and "Radius at Finish point of turning pattern" to match the taper you just created. (Note that this would be the start and finish of the flute and likely slightly different than the numbers entered for the original blank.)

Unless others have figured out some fancy trick, the Virtual Tool does not provide an option to taper the flutes to match the changing diameter of the blank. To the best of my knowledge, you would need ArtCAM or another similar program to accomplish tapered flutes.

In case it helps, here is the link to the Indexer Virtual Tool manual on the ShopBot web site:
http://www.shopbottools.com/files/SBDocs/SBG00139060509Indexer.pdf

[joe_culpepper]

Using the Indexer Virtual Tool that Jack has provided, I would use the "Turn a blank to a finished size" function to create a taper by entering different numbers in the "Finish radius at start point of turning pattern" and "Finish radius at end point of turning pattern" options.

Then I would use the "Turn traditional flutes, spirals, or rings" function for the flutes, making sure to set the "Radius at Start point of turning pattern" and "Radius at Finish point of turning pattern" to match the taper you just created. (Note that this would be the start and finish of the flute and likely slightly different than the numbers entered for the original blank.)

Unless others have figured out some fancy trick, the Virtual Tool does not provide an option to taper the flutes to match the changing diameter of the blank. To the best of my knowledge, you would need ArtCAM or another similar program to accomplish tapered flutes.

In case it helps, here is the link to the Indexer Virtual Tool manual on the ShopBot web site:
http://www.shopbottools.com/files/SBDocs/SBG00139060509Indexer.pdf


Enter 0 in the number of times pattern wraps around blank.
JOE CULPEPPER

[kevin]

What I can't find is the pp for the indexing head in partworks

Just checking see if there is an easier way .I'am suprised virual tool doesnt do taper flutes also say it can do flutes but no


Thank for the help

Jack email kdunphy@nf.sympatico.ca

[steve]

Hi Kevin,
i'm not sure I understand the problem correctly. Do you mean you can't cut the flutes on the taper or can't cut the taper.
I can send you a indexer PP for part works if Jack hasen't sent one already. (hi Jack !).
i have done some fluts on tapers and just used the indexer tools in the control software. These days I ususlly do it in Artcam.

[kevin]

Stephen its the flutes on the tapered .The taper I have down pat
that would be hard in part works yes or no
I,ve lock my self in the shop today until i understand

Stephen your work is my goal thanks

[kevin]

send pp i don't have

[steve]

Kevin, I must apologize, I spoke before I thought. I don't have an indexer PP fpr part works, I was thinking of a PP for "Head 2" ( I have two Z's ). Sorry. in fact I would love to have an indexer PP for part works. Partworks can do some things that artcam can't.
I do have an Indexer PP for artcam, if that is any help.
Have you turned the tapers already? If not, you can cut the flutes right after turning the taper with the indexer virtual tool, in fact you should use that to cut the taper as well.
If you have artcam you should be able to do the whole thing in there. What sort of problem were you haveing with it?

[kevin]

Learning the limts
I figured out what you said but I cant figured out how to taper the flutes in virtual tool

I have turned any thing yet just a sample and air cuts

Or I might give up and ask you I'll see how Iam at the end of the day

Thank

[bill.young]

Kevin,

The Indexer Virtual Tool uses the shape of the bit to cut flutes, etc, and can cut them along a taper, but they will have the same shape...the profile of the bit... along their entire length.

If I'm understanding correctly, though, you want the flutes themselves to taper...to be narrower at the small end of the taper than at the large end. I don't know of any way to do that with a single bit without modeling the flute in something like Aspire or ArtCAM, so that it's cut as sort of a tapering pocket?

Just as an FYI, a newer version of the Indexer Virtual Tool than Jack posted is installed when you install the ShopBot software. It's in the "Tools" menu.

Bill

[steve]

Your right Bill, I did some posts a while ago where the flutes them selves were tapered, I tried a few ways of doing it without involving artcam, but in the end I cut them as 3D models.

[kevin]

Steven I.am having customers walking in
Its hard to learn
i would like that leg done in art cam can you do it for e-mai price it doesn't have to exact but if its a model I would lave a little more flair on top

[steve]

Yea, I could do it. How far do you want me to take it? do you want just an artcam model or toolpaths and all? Do you have a vector of the leg?

[kevin]

I have no vector just the picture .It desnt have to be exact 36 inch long 4 inch wide .Quarter inch ball nose for all i/8 at a time wood is cherry shoulker 6.5

Its important client I think learinng on the job might look rough

Toolpath and ARTCAM

i.AM BACK NOW

[kevin]

I forgot i have the same setup as you except 6 inch z

[steve]

OK, I'll see what I can come up with.

[oddcoach]

i have used Excel to create tool paths for tapers. If the taper is straight and yours looks like it is.
all you need are the starting and ending points for the taper and the diameters of the leg. divide the number of flutes by 360 this will tell you how many degrees to rotate the b axis for each one.

SA
ZB
MS,1.5,0.5,,180
' starts above the beginning of the 1st cut
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,0
' moves into the cut
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,0
' moves to the end of the cut the z values are derived from the diameter of the leg 'and the depth of cut if you want the flute to taper just make the depth of cut 'shallower at that end
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,0
'tool pulls out of cut
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,0
' move to the beginning of the next cut
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,16.36
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,16.36
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,16.36
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,16.36
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,32.72
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,32.72
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,32.72
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,32.72
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,49.08
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,49.08
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,49.08
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,49.08
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,65.44
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,65.44
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,65.44
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,65.44
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,81.8
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,81.8
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,81.8
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,81.8
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,98.16
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,98.16
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,98.16
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,98.16
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,114.52
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,114.52
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,114.52
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,114.52
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,130.88
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,130.88
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,130.88
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,130.88
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,147.24
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,147.24
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,147.24
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,147.24
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,163.6
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,163.6
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,163.6
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,163.6
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,179.96
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,179.96
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,179.96
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,179.96
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,196.32
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,196.32
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,196.32
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,196.32
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,212.68
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,212.68
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,212.68
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,212.68
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,229.04
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,229.04
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,229.04
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,229.04
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,245.4
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,245.4
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,245.4
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,245.4
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,261.76
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,261.76
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,261.76
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,261.76
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,278.12
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,278.12
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,278.12
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,278.12
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,294.48
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,294.48
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,294.48
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,294.48
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,310.84
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,310.84
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,310.84
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,310.84
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,327.2
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,327.2
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,327.2
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,327.2
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,343.56
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,343.56
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,343.56
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,343.56
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,359.92
M5,0,2.75,1.4,0,359.92
M5,0,24.5,1.4,0,359.92
M5,0,24.5,1.9,0,359.92
M5,0,2.75,1.9,0,376.28
ZB
END
if you use Excel you can have it do the math for you. the copy and paste the values of the cells(use paste special) to a new worksheet. if you do not the formulas are what are in the cells and it won't work. then save the file as a CSV. then just rename the file from .csv to .sbp. then you can put the SA MS and end statements in with the ShopBot editor
hope this helps
John

[steve]

Here is what I have, it was cut with a1/16" bit in the simulation, the flutes were done with a .25" ball nose.
Want any changes?

Oh yea, keep in mind that in the simulation the top square part look round.

[kevin]

The top ring starting at 4 or almost flush with the sholder
a little less tapered

other than that wow looks great

[steve]

how's this

[steve]

Here is the lay out for the leg. The shoulder starts at 6.5", cause that's what I thought you wanted, can be moved eaisly. The leg is 37" long so you could trim off the top or bottom.
In the page you will see three drawings that represent the most common bits I use for this work. I use these to test the vector to make sure the collet will clear the work.
The top vector is the vector for making the 3D model, thr bottom vector is the vector for turning.

[kevin]

Thats perfect go for it

[myxpykalix]

Hi Stephen!
I don't know whether to be jealous, pissed off, envious.....or all of the above. I see you're up to making more beautiful creations that most of us only strive to emulate! (how's that for pontification?)

I failed to state here how to use the shopbot indexer but did in my email to him but i'm glad you did John because i left a few steps out.:)

[steve]

Hi Jack,
Thanks for that.
I like to think I have some of the best clutter in the area, and you should see what goes in my kindling box!

[myxpykalix]

Steven,
I am telling you that you are missing an opportunity to make some money by not setting something up to sell your designs or models. They are fantastic and creative. :eek:

[jdervin]

Stephen--

You've probably already figured this out (and also realized it usually isn't worth the trouble), but I had a "client" (my wife) who simply couldn't visualize that the round part in the preview would be cut square. To resolve this, I modeled the ends as a series of concave semi-cylinders, which enabled them to preview as a square in the wrapped model.

[steve]

Thanks John, very clever, I must try that.

[kevin]

Thanks for all the help. I think I understand it a little better now.