Forcing start points in pockets.

[MotorCityMinion]

Version X

 

Can anyone please explain to me how to force/select a start point when pocket milling or contouring. Let's say I drill a .312 dia hole in a pocket as a start point for feeding my e-mill (.25 dia.) into the cut. How do I select that as an entry point for milling the pocket? As for contours, no start hole, but I do want to start the cutter at a specified location. I've been extending lines for contours and open pockets, messing with lead-in and out, and going back and adding drill locations to pockets after verifying start locations, but there has to be a better way.

 

Off topic: Why is there no Dxx value when my post turns on a G41? (Haas generic 3 axis vmc post, wear selected, dia. offset selected).

 

Thanks for your help, MCM.

[bpa123]

in toolpaths/circle mill/start holes.this will drill a hole where i sees your contor trying to start.hope this helps.

[?Mark]

When selecting entities for pocket select point first and then a chain. That way it'll force it to start at the point selected...

 

hth

[cheeves]

For contours, click on Geometry, right click chain, start point. Then use popup menu for point.

[ToolMan184]

OR just ramp into the contour and forget about the start hole. Start holes can be a HUGE time hog.

[Programinator]

I used to use start holes all the time...

 

Then i started ramping and it is so much better especially in aluminum..you can forget about all the start holes. I prefer the helix entry..it works great.

[Ocean Lacky™]

What's a Start Hole?

 

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Mark Banaszak and Cheeves got it right. Kudos for staying on topic and not telling me about what version of windows you have, or the type of computer you use. LOL, I'm not asking about circle milling & helical ramps. Nor would I consider drilling a start hole on the outside of a contour. One senior member even sarcastically ask "What's a start hole? Well, it's a must for machining small, deep pockets with a .062 e-mill thats gotta go .50 deep in tool steel or exotics. Heh, splitting an e-mill is easy, gluing it back together is the hard part! Thanks again to those who responded to the topic in a professional and courteous manner

[Gary]

Your question was for a 5/16 hole for a 1/4 inch cutter not for a 1/16 endmill going a 1/2 inch deep in tool steel. There is the reason people said ramp the cutter, not just to give you a hard time.

[MotorCityMinion]

The method used for selecting start points was what I was trying to resolve, not material removal techniques. The hole and cutter sizes were theoretical. I do appreciate the input though. Next topic, I'll try to be more specific and mention all the variables that I already know about.

 

"What do you want to discuss now, my favorite color?" Kernel Jessup, A Few Good Men.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I think some members have a different sense of humor than others. That aside, I think some people are just trying to help you possibly improve your process.

 

Welcome to the Forum.

[mayday]

quote:

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What do you want to discuss now, my favorite color?" Kernel Jessup, A Few Good Men.

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do a search first, those topics have been discussed before

[gcode]

quote:

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Kudos for staying on topic and not telling me about what version of windows you have, or the type of computer you use.

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Many people list thier OS, video card and computer

type at the bottom of thier posts by default.

That way when discussing problems, everyone will know what thier system specs are.

I list the software I own just because I feel like it If that offends you, you've got awful thin skin.

[MotorCityMinion]

LOL, OK peeps, I'll back off abit. I'm not thin skinned, just having a hard time getting used to the banter here, If I really want humor though, this is not the place to find it. As for searching for topics that have been discussed before and are considered redundant, we've all been there and know that doing so can take much longer than simply re-posting the topic. Most of the post topics here do go off on some tangent or another and make reviewing the topics quite a chore. No doubt about it though, the Emastercam forums are, IMHO, the most useful resource I have for getting to the root of most problems. I'll consider this post closed for me and I'm sorry that I irked a few of you.