Milling an AR lower from solid, got G-code?

[Lostsheep]

G1 X-2.3305 Y0.0554
G3 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0.2771 J0.0255
G2 X-2.2537 Y-0.1355 I-0.1531 J-0.1083
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1575 I0.0293 J0.0085
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5499 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0305
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1575 I-0.0305 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2496 Y0.1442 I0 J-0.0305
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0625 I-0.1548 J0.1058
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y-0.0005 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0 J-0.1875
G0 Z-0.2
X-1.3684 Y0
Z-0.908
G1 Z-1.071 F15.
X-2.0187 Y-0.0302 F30.
G3 X-2.1578 Y0.0071 I-0.1391 J-0.2409
G1 X-2.1483 Y-0.0071
X-0.7003
Y0.0071
X-2.1578
G3 X-2.0494 Y-0.0877 I0.2312 J0.1549
G1 X-2.3289 Y0.0565
G3 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0.2771 J0.0256
G2 X-2.2518 Y-0.135 I-0.1547 J-0.1094
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1555 I0.0274 J0.008
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5519 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0285
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1555 I-0.0285 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2479 Y0.1431 I0 J-0.0285
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0605 I-0.1565 J0.1069
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y0.0015 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0 J-0.1895
G1 X-2.3305 Y0.0554
G3 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0.2771 J0.0255
G2 X-2.2537 Y-0.1355 I-0.1531 J-0.1083
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1575 I0.0293 J0.0085
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5499 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0305
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1575 I-0.0305 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2496 Y0.1442 I0 J-0.0305
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0625 I-0.1548 J0.1058
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y-0.0005 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0 J-0.1875
G0 Z-0.2
X-1.3684 Y0
Z-0.971
G1 Z-1.134 F15.
X-2.0187 Y-0.0302 F30.
G3 X-2.1578 Y0.0071 I-0.1391 J-0.2409
G1 X-2.1483 Y-0.0071
X-0.7003
Y0.0071
X-2.1578
G3 X-2.0494 Y-0.0877 I0.2312 J0.1549
G1 X-2.3289 Y0.0565
G3 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0.2771 J0.0256
G2 X-2.2518 Y-0.135 I-0.1547 J-0.1094
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1555 I0.0274 J0.008
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5519 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0285
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1555 I-0.0285 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2479 Y0.1431 I0 J-0.0285
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0605 I-0.1565 J0.1069
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y0.0015 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0 J-0.1895
G1 X-2.3305 Y0.0554
G3 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0.2771 J0.0255
G2 X-2.2537 Y-0.1355 I-0.1531 J-0.1083
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1575 I0.0293 J0.0085
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5499 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0305
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1575 I-0.0305 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2496 Y0.1442 I0 J-0.0305
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0625 I-0.1548 J0.1058
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y-0.0005 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0 J-0.1875
G0 Z-0.2
X-1.3684 Y0
Z-1.034
G1 Z-1.197 F15.
X-2.0187 Y-0.0302 F30.
G3 X-2.1578 Y0.0071 I-0.1391 J-0.2409
G1 X-2.1483 Y-0.0071
X-0.7003
Y0.0071
X-2.1578
G3 X-2.0494 Y-0.0877 I0.2312 J0.1549
G1 X-2.3289 Y0.0565
G3 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0.2771 J0.0256
G2 X-2.2518 Y-0.135 I-0.1547 J-0.1094
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1555 I0.0274 J0.008
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5519 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0285
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1555 I-0.0285 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2479 Y0.1431 I0 J-0.0285
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0605 I-0.1565 J0.1069
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y0.0015 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0 J-0.1895
G1 X-2.3305 Y0.0554
G3 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0.2771 J0.0255
G2 X-2.2537 Y-0.1355 I-0.1531 J-0.1083
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1575 I0.0293 J0.0085
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5499 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0305
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1575 I-0.0305 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2496 Y0.1442 I0 J-0.0305
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0625 I-0.1548 J0.1058
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y-0.0005 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0 J-0.1875
G0 Z-0.2
X-1.3684 Y0
Z-1.097
G1 Z-1.249 F15.
X-2.0187 Y-0.0302 F30.
G3 X-2.1578 Y0.0071 I-0.1391 J-0.2409
G1 X-2.1483 Y-0.0071
X-0.7003
Y0.0071
X-2.1578
G3 X-2.0494 Y-0.0877 I0.2312 J0.1549
G1 X-2.3289 Y0.0565
G3 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0.2771 J0.0256
G2 X-2.2518 Y-0.135 I-0.1547 J-0.1094
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1555 I0.0274 J0.008
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5519 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0285
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1555 I-0.0285 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2479 Y0.1431 I0 J-0.0285
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0605 I-0.1565 J0.1069
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y0.0015 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.279 Y-0.0786 I0 J-0.1895
G1 X-2.3305 Y0.0554
G3 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0.2771 J0.0255
G2 X-2.2537 Y-0.1355 I-0.1531 J-0.1083
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1575 I0.0293 J0.0085
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5499 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0305
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1575 I-0.0305 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2496 Y0.1442 I0 J-0.0305
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0625 I-0.1548 J0.1058
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y-0.0005 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.2806 Y-0.0797 I0 J-0.1875
G1 X-2.3321 Y0.0542
G3 X-2.2822 Y-0.0809 I0.277 J0.0256
G2 X-2.2556 Y-0.1361 I-0.1515 J-0.1071
G3 X-2.2244 Y-0.1595 I0.0312 J0.0091
G1 X-0.5804
G3 X-0.5479 Y-0.127 I0 J0.0325
G1 Y0.127
G3 X-0.5804 Y0.1595 I-0.0325 J0
G1 X-2.2244
G3 X-2.2512 Y0.1453 I0 J-0.0325
G2 X-2.4044 Y0.0645 I-0.1532 J0.1047
G1 X-2.7054
G3 Y-0.0025 I0 J-0.0335
G1 X-2.4337
G2 X-2.2822 Y-0.0809 I0 J-0.1855
G0 Z-0.2
(.25" EM TRIGGER SLOT)
M1
M5 M9
G0 G49 G90 Z0
M6 T22
G0 G90 S4774 M3 E1 X-1.3684 Y0
H22 M8 Z0.5
G0 Z-1.149
G1 Z-1.284 F10.
X-1.4565 Y0.0049 F20.
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0295 I-0.0919 J-0.1591
Y-0.0295 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0295 I0 J0.0295
G1 X-1.5484
X-1.4565 Y0.0069
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0315 I-0.0919 J-0.1592
Y-0.0315 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0315 I0 J0.0315
G1 X-1.5484
X-1.3684 Y0
Z-1.319 F10.
X-1.4565 Y0.0049 F20.
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0295 I-0.0919 J-0.1591
Y-0.0295 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0295 I0 J0.0295
G1 X-1.5484
X-1.4565 Y0.0069
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0315 I-0.0919 J-0.1592
Y-0.0315 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0315 I0 J0.0315
G1 X-1.5484
X-1.3684 Y0
Z-1.35 F10.
X-1.4565 Y0.0049 F20.
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0295 I-0.0919 J-0.1591
Y-0.0295 I0 J-0.0295
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0295 I0 J0.0295
G1 X-1.5484
X-1.4565 Y0.0069
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0315 I-0.0919 J-0.1592
Y-0.0315 I0 J-0.0315
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0315 I0 J0.0315
G1 X-1.5484
X-1.4565 Y0.0089
G3 X-1.5484 Y0.0335 I-0.0919 J-0.1592
Y-0.0335 I0 J-0.0335
G1 X-1.1804
G3 Y0.0335 I0 J0.0335
G1 X-1.5484
G0 Z0.5
M5 M9
G0 G49 G90 Z0
E0 X0 Y0
M6 T20
M2
%

[icentropy]

yeah I know it does =D. I was stating what I did because OP wanted gcode and I was pointing out to those who don't know CNC that doing that many operations for a lower isn't worth it to do just one. OP said if no one wanted to give up gcode that solidworks or mastercam is fine and I was saying mastercam is so much easier then writting g&m code.

Make just one?! now who would be silly enough to do thost type of setups and create all the fixturing for just one I'd probably end up making enough to make sure my family won't need to purchase another lower for the forseeable future.

And yeah if i do do this i would only consider using some sort of CAM software for the bulk of it. I mean hand writing G-code for some holes or simple parts is one thing, but doing it for something like the external profile of a mil-spec lower is ridiculous.

[grymster]

All this talk of writing out g-code for milling a lower from scratch makes me laugh. I am better than most at cartesian coordinates, and I can generate/read g-code, there is no way I would even think about trying to generate a 3d tool path for a lower. Could it be done, yes but it is not practical. This is my code for a 90's Fadal JUST FOR THE FCG. Calculating all of the 3d points would take a team of skilled guys a long time.

Well, you just about managed to bring the forum down with that!

I've never really looked at an AR lower, but I have a model and it seems pretty orthogonal. Don't see where a bunch of surfacing is required.

Most of the program you posted looks like roughing passes. Is that correct?

[couch]

Let's all flex at once, ready? GO!

[Lostsheep]

Well, you just about managed to bring the forum down with that!

I've never really looked at an AR lower, but I have a model and it seems pretty orthogonal. Don't see where a bunch of surfacing is required.

Most of the program you posted looks like roughing passes. Is that correct?
__________________

That was the entire program including finishing cuts on the walls. I have the pockets done as "pocketing operations" which include finishing passes at each depth. I relieve the shank and flutes on my endmills so that only the lower part of the flute does any cutting. This helps relieve chattering issues when I use such long endmills. Also, my Z steps were pretty small and that makes the code really long.

As for surfacing, the rounded and raised ribs around the mag release and mag well could be done with corner rounders but I am too lazy to do that. Cncguns.com has an awesome sequence of pictures showing all of the 3d roughing and 3d surfacing that he did. (http://www.cncguns.com/projects/ar15lower.html) I would attack the problem in a similar fashion. I don't really like corner rounders, they are a little bit of a PITA to get dialed in. I have less blending issues when I just surface stuff.

Let's all flex at once, ready? GO!

The OP asked for g-code so there it is!! And here's the toolpath:


Edit:
There's plenty more where that came from!!!

[veryslowstang]

Lostsheep, what is the E1 on the spindle speed line? I can read the rest of the program, but that is one damn big program for that little pocket.

[Lostsheep]

Lostsheep, what is the E1 on the spindle speed line? I can read the rest of the program, but that is one damn big program for that little pocket.

E1 is the fixture offset for my Fadals. My other mills only have 6 fixture offsets (g54 thru g59) but the fadals have 30.

The code is very long but it gave me good results. I was concerned about chattering and breaking the only long 3/8ths endmill that I had. You can see it in the code but for those less familiar with g code, I was running 30 ipm @ 5000rpm and 1/16" z steps. I could get the program shorter but until I am running lots of them I am not too worried about it.

[couch]

E1 is the work offset.

[darkcbr1000rr]

We don't use the Gibbs, CamWorks or SolidCam much, but every now and then they're handy.

I used to have contests with other guys. See who could program bolt circles or O-ring grooves or other features faster; me at the controller with my HP15-C, or them using a CAM system. I won most of those. .... of course, with more complex geometry, you really need CAM. It's all fun stuff. Just wish I got to do it still.

Yeah I mainly use geopath. But my father uses mastercam for 3D stuff on the Komo. I'm trying to talk him into getting a 5-axis machine tool so I can start learning how to 3D. This community college by me has these Mastercam courses that really caught my attention. I'm always trying to learn more and more about machining.


Lostsheep- I've never messed with fadal controls. Any pros and cons over other controls? I've always used Fanuc, haas, and yasnac.

Nice code. Super long. I think my cam post is a little shorter. I didn't make too many Z moves. Maybe 5 steps all the way to depth for my FCP. Still though, only took like 15-17 minutes from part in to part out.

[savs2k]

lostsheep reading your code made me cry. It's been a while since I wrote some code but I remember why I stopped now =D.

[grymster]

Yeah I mainly use geopath. But my father uses mastercam for 3D stuff on the Komo. I'm trying to talk him into getting a 5-axis machine tool so I can start learning how to 3D. This community college by me has these Mastercam courses that really caught my attention. I'm always trying to learn more and more about machining.

Keep it up, these are great skills to have! Here's our Mitsui Seiki VL30-5X. I envy the guy who runs this thing. What a gig! He's our leadman, runs the Mitsui, a Yasda YBM 950, a Mitsubishi sinker EDM, our SLA and our ABS plastic rapid prototyping machines. I keep telling him that we're switching places!

lostsheep reading your code made me cry. It's been a while since I wrote some code but I remember why I stopped now =D.

Dude, I'm sure he loves it! And he's providing a valuable service to a fellow Calgunner! Can't beat that!

[Lostsheep]

Lostsheep- I've never messed with fadal controls. Any pros and cons over other controls? I've always used Fanuc, haas, and yasnac.

Nice code. Super long. I think my cam post is a little shorter. I didn't make too many Z moves. Maybe 5 steps all the way to depth for my FCP. Still though, only took like 15-17 minutes from part in to part out.

I am only familiar with fanuc, fadal, and a little bit of yasnac. The fadal controls are my favorite because the interface is intuitive and simple.

Originally Posted by savs2k View Post
lostsheep reading your code made me cry. It's been a while since I wrote some code but I remember why I stopped now =D.

Keep in mind that surfcam wrote that for me. That program only took about 10 minutes of my time.