Lathe Intercon/Conversational Questions:

[DocsMachine]

I have little experience with Intercon, so keep the sniggering to a minimum, eh?

I have some parts I'm simply reworking in my converted Logan lathe, to reduce the diameter from about .990" to .930". I can do that with "Turn" in Intercon easy enough, but I want to add a 1/16" radius to the end as well. I don't need to face, as the parts are already bored and faced to length. I can 'skim' the length slightly if necessary for the radius, but it's not necessary to face the entire piece.

Going by both the manual tutorials and the one brief video, it seems I could possibly accomplish this with "profile", "arc" or "radius", but I'm not sure how to apply any of them, let alone which might be the best/easiest route.

Any help appreciated.

Doc.

[DocsMachine]

Perhaps a better question is, is there a more detailed, or more in-depth tutorial on Intercon, anywhere? There's only one YT video I've found, and the two tutorials in the manual, neither one of which really explain much beyond "here it is, here's what it can do, go have fun!"

I hate to say it, but I kind of need a "for dummies" version, if there is such a thing.

Doc.

[martyscncgarage]

Perhaps a better question is, is there a more detailed, or more in-depth tutorial on Intercon, anywhere? There's only one YT video I've found, and the two tutorials in the manual, neither one of which really explain much beyond "here it is, here's what it can do, go have fun!"

I hate to say it, but I kind of need a "for dummies" version, if there is such a thing.

Doc.

Docs, which revision of software are you running?
Marty

[cnc_smith]

Hi Doc,

With the turning cycle you can not put a chamfer or radius on the corner. With the Profile cycle you can. With the Profile cycle you will position at X0.990 and Z0.100 ( Usually I use .100 in front of the part because this allows for the nose radius when you have cutter comp on. 2 times the nose radius for clearance in Z.) The first move will be X down to X0.930 minus 2 times the nose radius. Then feed Z to Z0.00. Now you can do a radius or use the connecting radius to bring X up to X0.930. The next move would be Z feeding back to you ending Z. Not knowing what version of software I can not provide an example program.

[DocsMachine]

Docs, which revision of software are you running?

-Still on 4.14 as I haven't had a chance to update yet.

With the turning cycle you can not put a chamfer or radius on the corner. With the Profile cycle you can.

-I suspected as much. Still working my way through the manual, but things aren't "clicking" yet.

With the Profile cycle you will position at X0.990 and Z0.100 ( Usually I use .100 in front of the part because this allows for the nose radius when you have cutter comp on. 2 times the nose radius for clearance in Z.) The first move will be X down to X0.930 minus 2 times the nose radius. Then feed Z to Z0.00. Now you can do a radius or use the connecting radius to bring X up to X0.930. The next move would be Z feeding back to you ending Z.

-That makes sense. Might take me a bit to translate that into actual Intercon steps, but it's more than I had yesterday.

Thanks.
Doc.

[martyscncgarage]

Upgrade to 4.18 when you have time Doc...if you follow the upgrade instructions is goes pretty smoothly.

[DocsMachine]

I'm hoping to when things settle a bit. I have work piled to the rafters at the moment- which is in large part why I need this machine up and running. (Also why I haven't had much free time to chew my way through the manual. )

And on that note, another quick Q: It's sounding like basically any non-linear form (IE, anything other than a straight turn or a straight face) should be a "Profile"? In other words, use arcs and lines, etc, to draw a profile? (Rather than just try to draw an arc or a line by itself?)

Doc.

[cnc_smith]

Hello Doc,

I have attached an Intercon program at V4.14. Here is screen shot of the Intercon program. Not knowing what material you are cutting you may have to change the Feed rate and the CSS. I programmed it using a roughing and finishing tool. You can change it to one by changing line 9.
Also in your tool Library you will need to set the nose radius for your tool(s).

And on that note, another quick Q: It's sounding like basically any non-linear form (IE, anything other than a straight turn or a straight face) should be a "Profile"? In other words, use arcs and lines, etc, to draw a profile? (Rather than just try to draw an arc or a line by itself?)

You are correct that if there are any angles, chamfers, or radius the Profile cycle is used if you have material to remove and then finish it. If you are only doing a cut where you are doing only a light skim cut then you can program it line by line. Most times there is additional material that needs to be removed so the Profile cycle is the the best option.

[DocsMachine]

You are correct that if there are any angles, chamfers, or radius the Profile cycle is used if you have material to remove and then finish it. If you are only doing a cut where you are doing only a light skim cut then you can program it line by line. Most times there is additional material that needs to be removed so the Profile cycle is the the best option.

-Ah, that makes sense.

Thank you for the sample program! I didn't have time to try it today (see: "rafters" from previous post ) but I'll see if I can give it a swing later this week.

Hoping to have a few minutes this weekend I can sit down and go through the manual again.

Doc.