reversing Axis

[kubotaman]

A year or so ago it was shown on this forum how a person goes about changing toolpaths from one axis to another axis. In other words the code say of Z axis to be applied to the Y axis and vice versa. I neglected to mark the information thinking I would be able to find it later. Well guess what? Now i am asking if anyone knows where I can find the necessary info. If I remember correctly there was a small video attached to it. Thanks!

[myxpykalix]

Are you talking about changing the Y axis to A (or B) for your indexer?
There is a small app written for that.

[kubotaman]

No, I am saying changing the Z axis to the Y axis. But now that you brought your question up where is the app located that you are talking about?

[kubotaman]

Hey guy's I stand corrected. I mean to change the Z axis to the X axis. Sorry!

[myxpykalix]

daryl I will find that app for you. I believe it was written by Bill Young
Let me ask you a dumb question... Why do you want to change axis's like that? Any file you make will be made wrong because the axis's are set in these programs (I think)?

Here is one place i think it used to be. Maybe a email to him and he can tell you direct.
http://www.shopbotblog.com/index.php/category/bill/
I couldn't find it there...

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1442
billyoung@shopbottools.com
http://www.shopbottools.com/LabFiles/FileRotator.htm i don't think this is it
http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/shopbotlabs.htm
happy hunting

[steve_g]

Check under SB3----> tools----> file tool box----> flipper or XY switcher. I think this is what you want...

SG

[kubotaman]

The reason I am interested in "flipping" the z axis to say x or y is if a person does it then you can cut from the side on the indexer. An example would be to have the z axis not move, centered on the indexer but on the side, and have the y axis changing while traveling down the x axis. Hope I am clear as to what I am asking.

[ssflyer]

Sounds like you may be thinking of the "Extruder" program. It can be found in SB3 under, "Tools|Extruder"

[bill.young]

Hey Daryl,

I may be imagining this wrong, but couldn't you toolpath that as a regular 2d profile cut? You might need to draw a lead-in and lead-out line to move the bit into the blank from the outside, but it seems like a flat 2d file would get you what you wanted?

[myxpykalix]

Daryl
You can already do what you want without fooling with anything. Lets say you want to use a side reeding bit like this:
http://www.magnate.net/index.cfm?event=showProductGroup&theID=202

you would create a toolpath similar to what you see here. The toolpath is like you are looking at it from above

[kubotaman]

Okay , the last three comments are what I am trying to accomplish. I have one question. How does one go about telling the y axis where the cuts are to take place? Obviously I can center the z axis with the center of the indexer. I just don't grasp how to make the y axis go in and out as necessary , as if it were reeding the turning, turn the necessary degrees and ten proceed to make another pass. It sounds like all this movement is requiring a custom toolpath. I am thinking if it is possible to just swap the z axis to the y axis then the z stays stationary and the y would go in and out the same amount as if it were the z cutting up and down. Is this clear or am I confusing it?

[myxpykalix]

I understand what you are saying but you are "rube goldberging" it (making it a bigger project then it needs to be).

It has been a long time since i did this last but let me see if i can give you an idea.
Load up your material in the indexer

measure to the center (across top) of material mark it

take a vbit in router and zero your Y axis there for now

now take your reeding bit in the router and you have to find the center of that bit (the outermost round tip of the reeding bit) and lower that to the Z depth center of the material.

Now you have Y0 and Z0

Go look at the drawing i posted. Depending on what program you use to create your toolpath you will make that "leg" of the toolpath that sticks out from profile a set size.
That determines how far your bit starts from the material (or center of material) then follows the profile in the picture.

Go to this thread, i think this is what you are wanting to do?
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16337

Stephen Mosher is the KING of reeding and fluting on a profile and he sent me some drawings some time ago. If he doesn't jump in i'll see if i can find them because i think it makes it a bit clearer then my description from memory.

[kubotaman]

Yes, Stephan does do a good job. I just hate to ask a fellow Botter "maybe" some of his secrets. That is exactely where my brain started to wonder and try to figure out how it was done. Any more help would be appreciated!!

[myxpykalix]

I don't think they are secrets as he shared them with me a long time ago so if you promise not to tell him or anyone else here:eek: i'll see if i can find the info and see if what i explained was correct.

[garyc]

Daryl...
There may be some axis swapping info here: http://www.shopbotblog.com/index.php/2010/12/z-extruder/

This column uses a Y cut path swapped into a Z, but you can apply the process to your use.

[kubotaman]

Gary that looks like the video I was asking for! Now I just hope I can understand it!??