ProtoWizard Info Board

L Klutts · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject: Head cutter instructions

Here are the instructions for Cutting a setting on the protowizard fixture:
Always do both steps and calculate toolpaths before cutting.

Cut a piece of solid round bar 2 inches long.
When you design the setting, always add a 3mm or so base below the setting.
I usually dup the edge on the inside of the setting and then extrude 3mm.
Doing it on the inside leaves a cutoff point.
In matrix after I design the head I Lower the top of the prongs to 0,0,0,
Then, using the move function I raise it 37mm. this is the top of the prong.
You can either export the file to stl or open pw from within. For this I prefer the standalone.
Step 1 import stl
step 2 select 1 sided milling
step 3 check alignment
step 4 unclick rectangular stock, change max dia to 25mm, hit apply
step 5 select tool, change passes to 3 depending on height of setting.
step 6 change rp heigh to 40 and click o use model zero, hit calculate.

This was for the top cut down, The next step is

1. In Matrix in the through finger viewport I rotate it to the right 90 degrees
2. Export to stl
3. Open Pw and select file
4. select rotary milling (about X)
5. rotation should be correct
6. on stock adjustment reduce thickness about 2 millimeters, this is so it
doesnt hit the bar to the left
7. select tool
Calculate toolpath, check it and cut.

jewelermdt · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 262

About to try and cut some heads. Have not cut any yet, will try Thursday. But when setting up the rotary, you rotate 90degrees. Is this at the 37mm above O.OO. Do you leave it there and center in PW to be sure it lines up with what you did on top milling? I use Rhino, don't know what finger viewport in matrix is.

thanks
Mike

kcgold · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 449 Location: Menlo Park, CA

If you rotate the model when it is opened in PW, at the 37mm height, it does not mater where you have it in Rhino. Just have it sticking straight up. When you are ready to run the second tool path, start with the model in the same position and make a 90 degree rotation in PW. That way there are no mistakes.

When you do the "stock adjustment", it will reduce the X sweep by the same amount on both the left and right. This will keep the tool from hitting the solid wax rod and breaking the cutter on the left, but it could mean that part of your design is not cut on the sides of the prongs to the right. To fix this, stick a surface in the center of your model that sticks above the prongs an amount equal to the "stock adjustment". Just a little rod or block that PW can detect on that right side. It will be located more that the 37mm high prong tips and is not used in the first tool path. Now when the part is cut, X will be short on the left and all the way to the tip of the prongs on the right.

merlin · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:14 am Post subject:

Here is a tutorial using the new ROD CLAMP fixture...

http://www.protowizard.com/downloads/HowtoMachineHeads.zip

Don
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Don
ProtoWizard & Jewelry Fixtures

lemike · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 135

Hi
i might be the first one to try this good way to machine heads on Don double system unit, in Machine preparation/step 2: set X0 @ at least 10mm from fixture edge otherwise collet will hurt it if you run the core with a 0.62" bit

best regards
Michael

kcgold · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 449 Location: Menlo Park, CA

The post by L Klutts is for the original flip fixture.

jewelermdt · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 262

Thanks Don and Steve.

have a great weekend. I am off to Atlanta Jewelry show.

Mike

jewelermdt · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 262

Hello all
Started to cut a head. Got the top done after a couple of tries. From the other post, it seams everyone started with the top and went to rotary next. How do you go about setting X in the right spot for the Rotary???? Do you set it at end, middle or bottom of head? I using the fixture with two white holding clamps.

thanks
Mike
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jwx10/W dons rotary Rhino 4 RhinoGold - Machine Wizard

kcgold · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 449 Location: Menlo Park, CA

You have X centered on the head when it is vertical. When you rotate the model around X to place it to the right, X stays in the same place. It is just the model that moves. PW will calculate the path around the model, not around the X origin.
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JWX-10 w/ CEAT Rotary Head
Rhino 4
ProtoWizard 4
MachineWizard

jewelermdt · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 262

OK, I think I have my head working correctly now as to how it gets set up in PW. So use to changing X for other milling. Trying to make it harder than is. We maybe not for me, I get confused easily lately.

Thanks Steve

Mike
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jwx10/W dons rotary Rhino 4 RhinoGold - Machine Wizard