Contain Toolpath Within a Solid

[Festus]

A question I've been searching forever for..... I make a lot of big molds and in my mind i should be able to create and define my stock and tell the toolpath to cut only said stock? I need to create many toolpaths to keep from cutting air. While my machine cuts air just fine I prefer to make chips!!!

[BenK]

Just create a contour for your stock size and use that as your containment.

[peon]

We need WAY more info to help you. What toolpaths are you using? Are you using a boundary to define stock? Do you utilize .stl files to define stock in the rest roughing toolpaths? Can you share a file?

[Festus]

Just create a contour for your stock size and use that as your containment.

 

 

that's how i do it now. problem is as I get to lower layers my stock expands and I end up cuttin air. Am I missing something?

 

an example of my stock attached. approx 8 ft. X 10 ft

[Goldorak]

try HST restmill

 

set your stock by creating an STL file , then use that file as stock to drive the restmill operation

 

or you can use the good old toolpath trim to remove the air cutting zone

[peon]

+1 to Gold! Do it all the time. Create your stock solid (or surfaces) on a separate level and save it as an .stl. Reference that .stl in the HST Rest Rough toolpath.

[Festus]

I'll play with trimming the toolpaths. thanks for the direction!

[Festus]

right on Gold!!! crying tears of joy!!!! thank you!!!

[Goldorak]

no prob !