CAMworks cutter comp problem

Cutter compensation problem exhibited by code produced by CAMworks 2009 running under Solidworks 2009. The code was loaded on a Haas VF-3SS and run on the machine's simulator. Running it for real will have exactly the same results and waste material...'been there, done that.
I've tried several other post-processors to no avail.

As I understand it this is a case of cutter gouge error during a radius compensated path. While the machine stops at line N11 the real problem (my conclusion) happens at line N13. The path generated by CAMworks cannot be solved without an uninteded gouge per section B.5.3 ("Cutter gouging"
) of the NIST RS274 document:

http://www.isd.mel.nist.gov/personnel/kramer/pubs/RS274NGC_3.web/RS274NGC_38a...

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CAMworks;
• Cutter
• compensation;
• CNC;
• Haas.

[anusree79]

Have you checked this with newer version of CW. I have seen that if I set my parameters correctly which means having a linier leadin move for enabling and disabling cut comp there are no issues and I am using CW for over 4 years now.

[martin05rc]

@anusree79

Try this: Interpolate a 0.550in hole using a 0.500in tool. If you are metric use similar hole-to-tool relationship. This problem CANNOT be simulated. You have to put the generated code on a machine and run it. Simulation does not work correctly. Also, we are talking about probing your tools to have actual DIAMETERS on the D table (per RS-274D), not small offsets.

[LobatosMetalManiac]

did you solve the problem?

[martin05rc]

@LobatosMetalManiac

Made extensive attempts to raise the issue to CAMWorks. Met with them in person and over the phone (with India, where the product comes from). Long and painful story short: They refuse to wrap their heads around this. I got just about the same traction that the village idiot would get. The sad thing is that the problem is very real. Cutter comp is not being handled correctly. The math and paths are wrong. Tools and machines can be broken if you are not careful.

[martin05rc]

@martin05rc

No, it's a lot more subtle than that. They are simply doing the wrong math and generating the wrong toolpath. I can program cutter-comp by hand all day long and not run into any issues. CAMWorks don't seem to care about doing it right nor do they seem interested in understanding. After speaking with the developers in India I offered my shop for an entire day so that I could fully demonstrate the issue and have their software engineers "get it". No interest on thier part.

[dsnel24]

It looks to me that it's turning on cutter comp in a rapid move. I am looking at purchasing camworks in the next few months, and will be trying this software for 30 days. I'll be sure to watch for this problem and also ask about this problem.

Thanks ....