Overlapping Pockets

[enortuc]

On almost a daily basis I have to write several programs where I have two pockets at different Z heights and they overlap each other. I have tried several different ways to cut this in one operation with out any success. So I always have to do two operations. If anybody can help me out with an idea or the answer to my issue that would be great. The material i am cutting is wood and usually ranges between an 1" to 1-1/2" in height - the pockets are usually about a 1/4" different in height and overlap each other by different dimensions. I need to cut from the outside in this is very important. I have attched a file showing and example of what I normally do and my problem. The two pockets on the left (operation 1 and 2) are what I normally do. The boxes on the right (operation 3) are my result whe i try to cut in one operation. I have tried dynamic are and area under 2d highspeed paths but they both start from the center and work out. Again if anyone can help that would be greatly appreciated.

OVERLAP POCKETS.MCX-6

[jorges]

I do not see the attached file

[enortuc]

I am not sure why the file is not attaching - but if you were to just take two squares at different heights and overlap them - you would then see what i am talking about if you just use the pocket command and try to program in one operation

[enortuc]

I figured out why it was not attaching and modified the original post - the file is now there

[Radical1]

I took a look at the file and made some changes in the geo. and changed the toolpath from pocket to open pocket. I don't normally machine wood but the usual best practice to machine steel is to avoid plunging into the material when ever possible, open pocket option allows for that.

OVERLAP POCKETS.MCX-6

[enortuc]

Hii Radical

 

I appreciate what you did but it is not the result that I am looking for. What I am trying to accomplish is the result I get from operation 1 and 2 (refer to my original file) in one operation. Also sometimes this is not located on the edge of the part but could be in the middle. Reason being i get parts that will have several overlapping pockets that need to be mortised out and I would like to select them all and set my depth to incramental in one operation instead of having to write an operation for every pocket which can be time consuming.

[Reko]

Hii Radical

 

What I am trying to accomplish is the result I get from operation 1 and 2 (refer to my original file) in one operation... I would like to select them all and set my depth to incremental in one operation instead of having to write an operation for every pocket which can be time consuming.

 

I do not think you can do what you are asking in one operation... and here is the problem.

 

Attached is a file where I have selected two contours in one pocketing operation. It does exactly what it is intended to do, which is machine the first contour as a pocket... then, use the second contour as an island to avoid.

 

You also say writing them separately is "time consuming," but it shouldn't be.

 

Write the first pocket program and set your incremental depth to Z0... then, right click and drag that operation down a bit... release it... and select "copy after."

 

Then, click on the geometry for the copied operation and re-select the other geometry.

 

Bam... you are done... simple.

[enortuc]

thank you appreciate all the help

[SledGeek]

I know this is a bit late....just saw it. Here is a different approach if you don't mind creating the surfaces. It took about a minute......

I'm guessing if you don't even want to do 2 ops then you may not wanna do this

OVERLAP POCKETS.MCX-6

[Jayson Kramer]

Please review my to last ops please. let me know. this is what you want one op and both deeps from the outsdie in.

[Jayson Kramer]

Or this one and all the pocket at one op.

[SledGeek]

LL Cool Jay ! lol

 

It's chaining the first pocket as an a contour and the second as a pocket. Am I seeing that right ? I will use this.....

 

I added several more overlapping pockets on top and it works great if you chain the uppers as open. Niiiice

[Jayson Kramer]

Bill, this may help answer the question on what I did.quick and dirty video sir.

[SledGeek]

Yep. The difference is in the open chain on the top pocket. It just goes to show how there is never ending learning here. I have been a user since v7 and have never seen that little tip in classes or work.

 

I hope he re reads this post , it's just what he needs

[Reko]

Awesome.

 

Thanks for the follow up and the video Jay.

 

There is way more flexibility in there than I realized.

[Jayson Kramer]

Reko, by default for me I do like you said pick one and then copy and past fast and easy.

But what I have found for years is that Mastercam is more flexible then most know. I have gotten it to do things over the years were it throw errors at me on the screen and push forward to actually get the code the way I wanted.It really hit me back in version 5.5.

[Rotary Ninja]

Holy chit. Jay, come to Indiana and teach!

[Rotary Ninja]

You even have the endmill conventional milling. Which would be what he needs to keep from blowing the sides of the wood out. Very clever

[Jayson Kramer]

Holy chit. Jay, come to Indiana and teach!

thanks would love to.

[within a thou]

have you considered creating default operations the way you want them and import them and just add a chain for each pocket. I know its still multiple operations but if you are doing the exact same thing day in and out seems like this would be faster then manually recreating the operation over and over.