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Update: Facing weird finish issues on curved surfaces after a software update
I was running a job on our VMC, milling some steel parts with complex curves. After we updated the CAM software last month, the finish on the curved areas started coming out with tiny step marks. I double-checked the tool paths and the stepover settings, but they look the same as before. It's not a huge deal, but the parts need a smooth finish for assembly. I tried slowing down the feed and playing with the coolant flow, but no luck. Maybe it's something with the post processor or the way the new software handles arcs. Has anyone seen this after an update? How did you fix it? I'm stuck and don't want to scrap these parts.
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the_thea1mo ago
Watched my buddy deal with this exact thing last year. He was cutting aluminum molds with lots of curves, and after their CAM update, the surfaces got all jagged with little lines. Tbh, they spent weeks tweaking feeds and speeds before someone checked the arc setting in the post. Turns out the new software set the curve detail way too low by default. They dialed that setting back up and the finish went back to smooth. Honestly, might be worth digging into those arc settings in your post processor.
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charliegarcia1mo ago
Lol weeks tweaking feeds before checking the post? That's wild to me. I get that updates can mess stuff up but most shops I know would look at the processor way sooner. Makes me wonder if there was more going on with their setup than just one default change. Sounds like a pretty big oversight.
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seanh911mo ago
Honestly everyone jumps to blame the post processor right away. Could just be simple machine wear that lined up with the update timing. A little bit of spindle runout or a worn ball screw will make those exact step marks on curves, and no software tweak will fix that. Sometimes the new code just exposes a hidden hardware problem you've been running with for months. Maybe check the machine's backlash or give the spindle a good check before you start rewriting posts.
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