Cutter Compensation for milling machine

[jim1108]

Here is a topic/question that I have not run across on this forum.

I like use cutter compensation (G41,G42,G40,and D number for tool) when thread milling. It allows you to "dial in" the thread mill so it cuts on size.

Is there a way I can edit the post processor so it will understand if I am compensating left or right, climb or conventional?

Right now I just add the G41 or G42 command with the appropriate D number at the first X,Y move and it works fine.

Its not a problem at all, but I was curious if anyone else used cutter comp. in milling.

I have the latest TNG version.

[Les Newell]

SheetCam doesn't currently handle G41/G42. Manually adding G41/G42 can work but you need to be very careful about the cut direction.
I will take another look at adding cutter comp but some of SheetCam's tool paths are difficult to program with cutter comp. For instance in some cases it reverses direction while cutting.

[jim1108]

I figured it would be hard to implement, especially since adding that feature to the operation menus would require more than a simple post processor edit. Thanks for the reply.