Spiral Toolpath from Profile

[EddyCurrent]

I thought, what if you could draw a profile shape with one polyline, then trurn that into a 3D spiral toolpath.

This is just a test, comments, suggestions please

1. Unzip the Helix_Test.dll into CamBam Plugins folder
2. Open the file Helix_Test.cb in CamBam
3. Select the polyline
4. In the plugins dropdown click on 'Helix'

Now draw your own profile shape and try it again.

The next thing to think about is how to generate toolpaths, roughing and finishing.

Edit: test dll file removed

[klystron]

Hello  Eddy Current ,
very interesting plugin.
Yves.

[klystron]

Current eddy goodnight,
in the same configuration, can we set the turns?
Yves

[Garyhlucas]

Eddy,
That is absolutely freaking awesome!  I have just designed some new housings where I need to cut internal grooves using a saw on an arbor.  I've been doing the tool paths in Rhino by sweeping a helix around a surface and getting the intersection. This will make it a lot easier.

Thanks for your efforts.

[EddyCurrent]

Gary,
Thanks for your feedback, remember this is just a test of the plugin, I've not added a form yet to allow changes in resolution etc, or even thought about how to rough out the interior space.

[EddyCurrent]

Current eddy goodnight,
in the same configuration, can we set the turns?
Yves

This is just a test of the plugin , all parameters that can be changed will be on a Windows Form in the final release.

[dave benson]

HI Eddy
I made some cool shapes with the plugin Good Idea.
If you want to generate the roughing tool paths hack on the paraboliod script.
Dave

[Bubba]

Hi Eddy, For some reason after converting your test polyline to an inch the helix plugin create this. It appears it is a helix but very loosely spaced. I don't see a option to adjust.. Thanks.

[Garyhlucas]

Gary,
Thanks for your feedback, remember this is just a test of the plugin, I've not added a form yet to allow changes in resolution etc, or even thought about how to rough out the interior space.
To be honest the amount of feedback thus far is quite disappointing.

Eddy,
I am working with HDPE and PVC pipe sections, no interior to rough out. Allow me to adjust step over distance and we can do everything we need. We can also use it to cut the outside chamfer and a groove around the outside too. I was really surprised when you showed this.

Now if you really want to get creative instead of just sweeping around an axis, sweep the profile along a polyline path. That would make it useful for lots of shapes that are difficult to program now, except by using a 3D STL surface.

[tau]

To be honest the amount of feedback thus far is quite disappointing.

Eddy,

You can be sure that everybody appreciates the efforts that you already put in extending CamBam's features!

I downloaded your test ballon and gave it a spin last night and i was hoping to be able to machine a flat circular pocket with it!

So unless there is another way of machining pockets with a helix path in CamBam, i'd find it useful for such an application to add a asymptotic run out to the circle boundary (hope you find my description useful?!).

But for now, your plugin is a great idea!

Cheers,  Tunc

[klystron]

Hello Eddy ,
thereafter, it would be nice to parameterize the pitch of the spiral, if possible?
Yves.

[EddyCurrent]

Dave,
Thanks, I'll have a look at the paraboloid roughing code.

Bubba,
It's only a test at the moment, I will try to add a form today that allows some adjustment, thanks for the feedback.

Gary,
I think step over is going to be a function of the number of turns in the spiral, I'm hoping to get a form made today to allow adjustment.

Tau (et al)
I removed the line about about disappointing feedback this morning, I think I was at a brief low point last night, things seem brighter this morning.
Yes I understand what you mean about the asymptotic run out at the boundary.

Yves,
Yes that will be possible with the Windows Form I hope.

[klystron]

Hello again Eddy ,
rich idea that principle.
good day.
Yves.

[Garyhlucas]

Eddy,
I said step over but what I was referring to was actually just adjusting the pitch. Step over of course would be useful but for our work not really necessary.

[EddyCurrent]

PLEASE DELETE the previous, Helix_Test.dll file from your plugins foldler first

Please try this next version.

Changes:

1. Name changed to 'Profile2Helix'
2. Added a form to change 'steps (line smoothness)' and 'z increment'
3. Added translation text
4. The value for 'z increment' detects which units you are using, mm/inches, and adjusts the default value.

'steps (line smoothness)' is the number of sides in the approximate circle drawn by the helix, you want to keep the value low, just enough for your purposes.

The value, 'z increment' is not exactly that. What the plugin does behind the scenes is to add a Pointlist to the
selected profile polyline using the 'Step Around Geometry' method and 'z increment' is the step distance.
Where the helix is vertical it equates to, Z Depth Increment, where the helix is horizontal it equates to Step Over.