Waterline Surface High Speed Issue

[Bruce Kanzelmeyer]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been using waterline for many years and don't remember having this issue before. I am machining an aluminum tool with many ribs, and rather than machining one rib, then moving to the next, MCX5 seems to machine the same Z level on all ribs, then drops down to next Z level and machines all ribs again. Any way to force machining 1 rib complete, then move to the next in Waterline? Thanks for any insight here.

[K2csq7]

Containment Boundary, multiple ops

[peon]

Check the "Optimze cut order" box on the "Cut parameters" page if it is not checked. If that doesn't work, you will have to add boundaries with multiple ops like Keith suggested.

[gcode]

Make sure Optimize is on and play with the "Keep Tool Down with" setting

 

it does have some influence on how Optimize functions

[Thee Rickster ™]

With keep tool down, put a value 10x greater then your step down, works best for me, but mostly for a zig zag cut

[Bruce Kanzelmeyer]

Optimize is checked. I have gone everywhere from 50% to 1% of cutter dia. (a .5" x .03 bullnose EM) and tried .5" to .004" distance values and the output is identical. I am using a .005 stepdown with .01" max profile stepover. It's kind of like Optimize cut order is not working the same way it has in the past.

[peon]

Are you able to share the file?

[Bruce Kanzelmeyer]

The file is Hamilton_crate_ribs_tool.mcx5 located in X5 folder on ftp site. I'm not sure how to make a link from here to it.

[peon]

I took a look at that file. That particular block is more like a "core" than a "rib cavity". I would add boundaries to machine the ribs.

[Festus]

It's kind of like Optimize cut order is not working the same way it has in the past.

 

I have the same frustrations! i used to be able to check that box and see a massive difference in retracts/rapids....now i'm not sure that i ever see any? i've actually played with it in several different toolpaths and nothing?