Alphacam router, Make tools ripple up and down?

[Elbartholomew]

Hello, I was wondering if there is a function on alphacam to make my tool ripple up and down while running along the edge.
I used to program for a Breton router using Pegasus Cam and when choosing a tool to what in alphacam is called "Cut Shape," There was an option to make the tool "ripple." When this function was chosen my tool would run along the edge also moving up and down in Z axis.
Like so:



The closest I have gotten to achieving this function in alphacam was using "Add Support Tags" under "Edit Machining."


Any help greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Dave.Scott]

It is called an "oscillating Z axis" You need to ask your machine manufacturer if that option is available with your machine, I know Park CNC's can.

[gssfabrication]

Hi Elbartholomew,

Open the HELP in Alphacam and search for the term "oscillation"

In essence, you apply a tool path first, then right click on the tool path and select "Oscillation" from the popup window. Check the box and set your parameters. View the help for which position it will start from. On our Titan machine the spindle is at the the zero point and I want it to move down so I select the "Below" radio button.

Using the Zig-Zag will make a slightly smaller program in G-Code vs. Sinusoidal. For small oscillations the difference is hardly noticeable to the untrained eye.

After you have assigned the oscillation to a tool (preview it in the simulator) you can add that tool path to a style so you can make it part of the tools for a profile. We have used the ADI MFP Pos. 5 bit on our Eased (T30-8D) with lots of success.

Best of luck.

Rick Graff

[GCA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky5gAhF ... e=youtu.be

[Elbartholomew]

Hi Elbartholomew,

Open the HELP in Alphacam and search for the term "oscillation"

In essence, you apply a tool path first, then right click on the tool path and select "Oscillation" from the popup window. Check the box and set your parameters. View the help for which position it will start from. On our Titan machine the spindle is at the the zero point and I want it to move down so I select the "Below" radio button.

Using the Zig-Zag will make a slightly smaller program in G-Code vs. Sinusoidal. For small oscillations the difference is hardly noticeable to the untrained eye.

After you have assigned the oscillation to a tool (preview it in the simulator) you can add that tool path to a style so you can make it part of the tools for a profile. We have used the ADI MFP Pos. 5 bit on our Eased (T30-8D) with lots of success.

Best of luck.

Rick Graff
[

Thank you all, this is exactly what I was looking for.
Appreciate the help!