Rough from stock (reduce cutting air)

[ERIC14779]

In X2 MR2 is there roughing toolpaths that adjust to what I have for a stock file.... So I do not have to cut a lot of "air"

 

My stock is cut about 1/2 inch bigger than the hockey stick shaped part I have to cut in all 4 or 5 planes with my 5 axis Quintax..

 

up to now I have just used rough pocket and set up a containment boundary and let it cut as if I had a rectangular block but I end up cutting a lot of air.

 

thanks

[cobra95kev]

Model your stock (if you don't have one already) and save it as a STL file then use the high speed restmill roughing toolpath and select your STL file as remaining stock. Should work real well.

 

Good Luck,

[ERIC14779]

I will give that a try

 

 

Thanks Cobra

[YoDoug®]

You could also try using the containment-boundary Chook and set it to offset 1/2 ich in XY.

[Redfire427]

I would just do a raster toolpath across the part and set the stock to leave at .250

Then verify the toolpath and save it as an stl file. Now you can create the proper toolpaths for the job and use the stl file as your geometry.

[ERIC14779]

now guys....

 

this is going to be a multi-plane cut part I am laminating 2" thick MDF cut to the "slice" perimeter at each slice's elevation with 1/2" allowance for stock.

 

I will post a screen shot of the SolidWorks file of the stock in the morning..

 

it is aprox. 14" tall 12" wide and 4 foot long overall

[ERIC14779]

here is the screenshot

 

 

 

The size is 16" tall by 25" by 54" long

[ERIC14779]

You can see the stock in translucent red and the wireframe of the solid part

 

the stock is a STL file from SolidWorks

 

 

again I will be using my 5 axis Quintax router so I will be cutting this part from all around ... This is why I want to not use the rough pocket toolpath as that will yield a lot of air cutting

[cobra95kev]

I think I understand what you are wanting.

 

Use the advanced multi-axis paths and using roughing passes and select your stl stock file.

 

Good Luck,

[crazy^millman]

Eric I would 3+2 that thing. Set your C-plane to the face long ways then use a highspeed core rough. Any toolpath you can use in 3 axis can be used in 5 axis. You just need to turn your C-plane to the way you want the tool facing. Set your depth limits and good to go.

[ERIC14779]

Cobra

 

I have not used the advanced 5 axis toolpaths much at all.... should I select the whole part or just what I think I can cut from a given "side" ??

[ERIC14779]

Ron

 

will highspeed Core rough use my stock so I do not cut a lot of air ??

[cobra95kev]

Eric,

I actually like Ron's idea better. No real reason on this part to use the Advance multi-axis. Just set up Tool Planes and use restmill or core roughing.

[Troy Gossett Indepak Inc.]

What I have done for some Carbon Fiber molds like this is use rough pocket and cut depths (first op z min 0, max -2.00. Op2 Z min -1.95 max -4.00) and so on for each level of MDF and use TC Boundaries for each level.

 

Or

 

On a 3axis router I have machined the 2" level complete then glue on the next level and machine it complete finish and blend with the previous level then glue on the next until you have a complete finished part. This method allows you to get a good finish and use shorter cutters/holders at faster feed rates. It also gives you access to features that the size of the finished part may require another setup to accomplish.

 

Good luck.

[ERIC14779]

I have used 5 axis flowline where possible and multiple finish toolpaths with successive less stock to leave on each for the places Flowline would not work....

 

 

Troy

my stock is already glued up and I have 48" of Z so I can cut it in one piece with the right programs.

 

I am making good progress thanks all for the ideas they jogged my mind to find solutions....

[kkominiarek]

instead of using an stl file as the sock model....can you use a solid?

 

i already have a solid of the stock i need on another level.