Posted to Practically Worthless Machinist by "Seymour Dumore" who purchased OneCNC crapware only to have to go right out and purchase FeatureCAM to get the job done. He's not the only one who got screwed when he purchased OneCNC crapware. "Edster" did as well and also had to purchase FeatureCAM to get the job done.
"Since I'm a generation behind with my XR2, here are a couple of questions regarding XR3:
1: Since it is the roughing pass, can you use cutter comp, as in machine cutter comp?2: Can you tell the tool to never lift off the part until each Z-level is finished?
3: Can you tell the tool to plunge in Z at only X3. Y-5. and nowhere else?4: Can you tell the tool to finish each location to full depth before moving onto the next location?
5: Since it has filleted bottom corners, can you use a sharp roughing tool using .01 side and .005 bottom allowance without violating the fillet? I mean that by using 2.5D toolpath instead of a SMT?6: Can you use a 1" rougher instead of the 1/2" without modifying the model's inside radii that may be less than R.5" ?
7: Can you analize the finished toolpath and change feedrates automatically where possible to maintain the 60% spindle load? Say at engagements of only 10%? Perhaps even increase to 500%? Can you slow down in inside corners that are only 110-120% of actual tool dia?8: Can you change the toolpath start point to any SPECIFIC location you SPECIFY EXPLICITLY? Say the upper right corner maybe? Note that is not equivalent to plunge location!
9: Can you turn this into a program of 9 parts using 9 workoffsets but still have only one place to modify the operation?10: Can you flip this part and then use the leftover material from the
1st op as stock for the back side machining? That is Original stock - 1st operation = Stock to machine in 2nd operation.11: What do you need to do to add a clamphole in the middle of the part and then avoid the bolt that goes through it? I can also say add a clamp at any other arbitary location and then avoid that one.
12: Assuming the wall is tapered, can you use a tapered tool knowing only it's actual taper angle to properly cut and simulate the part? Do so at multiple rough and finish depths!!!Please note: No 3D toolpaths are allowed as it would likely prohibitively increases cycletime and the lack of tool comp makes the program un-adjustable for size without re-posting.
Since Featurecam does this (and more) out of the box, these are honest questions to determine if I should have waited 15 months for the release of XR3."
Jon Banquer San Diego, CA