We're running a Flow machine (well two actually) and we are looking for a way to program the machine to move to a point, pierce, and move on to cut other shapes. We're cutting very small holes (2mm) that are latter tapped and we're finding that the smallest hole we can achieve that is small enough to tap is 3.175mm (.125").
Has anyone been able to get Flow software to do this. It seems to me that the software should be able to handle this task.
Thanks for any help.
willywaterjet said
Oct 2, 2011
Im not familliar with flow software or machines, however are you able to modify the G-code? because you could simply make the head go to the desired point and turn on the HP and abrasive and then off once the pierce is complete and then continue on.
another thing would be the material thickness as I've noticed the thicker the material the larger the piercing hole is.
waterjetphilippines said
Oct 9, 2011
you need two separate ord files, one for pierce only, set your lead in to the center of the hole (remember to set on FLOWPATH, Autopath settings (No Offset on LEAD IN/LEAD OUT) so it pierces right in the center of the node when you do the pathing. Then you can run this file on flowcut and choose the Pierce All First Option. Then for the other file, just delete the ones you did for holes only and leave the others for the cutting.
By the way, for the small holes, i''ve been able to use 0.07" orifice and 0.020" mixing tube from FLOW, but you need to buy #230 mesh garnet from barton. This will give you a small hole of 0.5mm++.
Realrockdesign said
Oct 21, 2011
In response to waterjetphillippens post, yes that works, but much simpler, is use your one original .ord file, then in the first flowcut window, set the jet settings as I mentioned in my previous post, run pierce all holes first on low pressure, wait for it to complete, then Chang settings back, proceed as normal on high pressure. Don't worry about tool offset, by default it's the same for both the pierce run and the cut run as long as you don't change it between runs. I set mine at .032 when I first load the .ord file
Hello
We're running a Flow machine (well two actually) and we are looking for a way to program the machine to move to a point, pierce, and move on to cut other shapes. We're cutting very small holes (2mm) that are latter tapped and we're finding that the smallest hole we can achieve that is small enough to tap is 3.175mm (.125").
Has anyone been able to get Flow software to do this. It seems to me that the software should be able to handle this task.
Thanks for any help.
Im not familliar with flow software or machines, however are you able to modify the G-code? because you could simply make the head go to the desired point and turn on the HP and abrasive and then off once the pierce is complete and then continue on.
another thing would be the material thickness as I've noticed the thicker the material the larger the piercing hole is.
By the way, for the small holes, i''ve been able to use 0.07" orifice and 0.020" mixing tube from FLOW, but you need to buy #230 mesh garnet from barton. This will give you a small hole of 0.5mm++.