2023 Multiaxis Pocketing - Stock to leave issues

[TheLordsToe]

Hi everyone, I'm having some interesting issues with this Multiaxis pocketing toolpath. I have a large part with 24 pockets around the circumference. I create my toolpath on the first set of (4) pockets, and I just copy and paste the operation and reassign the geometry/boundaries for the remainder of them. I've noticed however that at random the toolpath will start to leave more and more stock in some areas. If I go to that particular operation and remove all the geometry for the pockets except one, it leaves the right amount of stock. I assume its a glitch of sorts. Has anyone else noticed this?  

For specifics I'm asking the path to leave .015 on all surfaces. and my finished part came out heavy in some pockets by .03 per surface!

Again, this is the same path just copied and pasted over and over again. This is on MasterCam 2023

 

My only work around is to make an operation for every pocket. So essentially id have an operation tree of 24 pocketing toolpaths instead of 6. Not the end of the world but it sure is frustrating. 

 

[Aaron Eberhard]

What's your floor surface look like?  Since this toolpath is normal THE (singular) floor, if you are selecting a bunch of pockets, it's possible that the normal to the floor of the first pocket, which is causing your tool to be slightly tilted from the walls of the other pockets.    

Obviously, this is a shot in the dark.  

[TheLordsToe]

1 hour ago, Aaron Eberhard said:

What's your floor surface look like?  Since this toolpath is normal THE (singular) floor, if you are selecting a bunch of pockets, it's possible that the normal to the floor of the first pocket, which is causing your tool to be slightly tilted from the walls of the other pockets.    

Obviously, this is a shot in the dark.  

Thats a good point. My pockets all technically could share the same floor. Could I draw a cylindrical surface and use that as my floor for all the pockets? Let's find out! 

 

I'll report back. 

[TheLordsToe]

Okay, so I created a large surface to encompass all the floor geometry of my pockets. Selecting this as my floor and leaving everything else the same seems to have worked. Stock to leave is correct. It's not doing anything weird. 

 

Thanks Aaron!