How to calculate twist rate for a cycloid on a cylinder

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the twist rate for a helical rifling design in a 30-inch barrel with a diameter of 0.30 inches, specifically using a cycloid profile. The user, Shane, seeks to understand how to translate a progressive twist rate into a helical form suitable for CNC machining. It is established that while traditional twist rates are static, a gain twist can be implemented, starting at 1 turn in 20 inches and finishing at 1 turn in 8 inches. The conversation highlights the necessity of using CNC broaching machines for such specialized grooves and the capability of modern CAM software to generate tool paths without complex calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of helical rifling and twist rates in firearms
  • Familiarity with CNC machining and broaching techniques
  • Knowledge of CAM software for generating tool paths
  • Basic principles of cycloids and their geometric properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "CNC broaching techniques for rifling" to understand the machining process
  • Explore "CAM software for variable pitch grooves" to learn about tool path generation
  • Study "Geometric properties of cycloids" to grasp their application in rifling
  • Investigate "Progressive twist rates in barrel design" for insights on performance impacts
USEFUL FOR

Gunsmiths, competitive shooters, and engineers involved in firearm design and barrel manufacturing will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in advanced rifling techniques and CNC machining processes.

Rdyno
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Hi all this is my first post.

Okay I can have a rifle cut into a barrel at any twist rate I want, so I want to see if a cycloid can work for what I want. Now most twist rates are static so as an example one barrel may be 1 turn in 12 inches for 26 inches an example of what is called a gain twist or as I refer to it as a progressive twist rate the barrel might start or breech at 1 turn in 20 inches and finish at 1 turn in 8 inches at the the end or muzzle. Now I was trying tho think how would I calculate a cycloid along say a 30 inch barrel? So If I want one the barrel maker will want the parameters to input into the CNC lathe I just don't know how to calculate such a parameter.

Also the barrel will be 7.62mm by 762mm long so 30 inch by .30 inch.

I would be grateful for any assistance. The barrel design is for competition use I'm trying to see if a cycloid will be too aggressive on the bullet.

Thanks.
Shane.

Edit I think I put this in the wrong section sorry.
 
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It's a helix not a cycloid .

Think of your rifling groove as being the same as one start of a multi start screw thread but with a very long pitch relative to diameter and only one or a small number of turns .

Cutting such a coarse pitch groove in a small bore and over a long length may not be possible on a standard CNC lathe even with special tooling .

Generally this type of groove is cut by broaching . There are CNC broaching machines which could do this task quite easily .

Modern CAM suites can generate the tool paths to cut a variable pitch groove on a suitable machine from just a few basic dimensions - there is no need to input any complex formulae .
 
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I understand what you are saying. What I was wanting to know say if you lay a progressive twist rate flat on a 2d surface it's going to make a curve. what I want to know is if you have a cycloid lying flat on a 2d surface how do you twist it into a helix and then get the start twis rate of the cylinder and the finish twist rate?
 

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