2D pocketing with multiple chains

[Thad]

I'm looking for an efficient way to cut the pocket in this plate. The green profile is burned out. This overall part size is 18 X 15 and the pocket is 1" deep, so the burnout is worth avoiding. Normally, I create a chain just inside the burnout that I can chain along with the pocket walls to contain the toolpath. If the 2 chains are too drastically different, I end up creating some extra geometry to get everything cut.

 

Using contour with multipass cuts alot of air since there isn't an even amount of stock all around. Pockets with 2 chains always seem to waste moves by recutting areas that have already been cut. The next best thing I've found is a Morph Spiral pocket. I can never get the tool to step over as much as I'd like. It seems that you're at the mercy of how much the 2 chains differ as to what kind of step over you'll get. Trimming the toolpath causes the tool to plunge down into stock when re-entering.

 

So, I'm looking for advice on how you handle this type of situation. What would you do?.

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Thad

[Lee.]

Thad, I would offset the green contour and then pocket out the material using both chains.

[Surface]

I had a simular situation recently. I ghosted a pocket operation to simulate the burnout. Then I used surface/high-speed/rest-roughing to machine the remaining stock.

Using Mill level 1, I think I would stick with the contour with multipass or other methods, but use high-feed to speed up the air-cutting.

[?Mark]

I'd offset a green chain by a tool diameter plus a safety distance and select 2 chains for one of the pocketing options (probably morph spiral).

You can get aggressive with cutting if you choose to move in steps on z (say every .25).

Or use a feedmill to do the contour and then rest mill with smaller diameter tool.

[Guest]

im no mill man but why couldnt you use chain by area where it would only cut the closed boundry?

[MotorCityMinion]

Maybe you can offset the two large corner rads of the burnout, trim them some at each offset, then use a negative stock value to pick out the material. Re-machine might come in useful here also.

[Thee Rickster ™]

Try offsetting the green chain like Mark said

 

Do a pocket spiral (inside out) and trim the path to the off-sett'd chain

[Hardmill]

quote:

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im no mill man

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Get outta here Del

 

 

Mark has the right idea

 

 

PEACE

[Guest]

quote:

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Get outta here Del

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no seriously because i do mess around with the 3 axis proto traks.if you offset countour the inside to stay away from it, i am asking if you could use the area option and then choose the type of path you wanted.isnt that the same thing.im just wanting to learn you dumbmill

[Hardmill]

ROFL

 

I dont use it, but ill try it out on my next job.

I believe itll just be like selecting the 2 chains.

 

 

PEACE

[sharles]

ditto