I'm working with the 3D example that came with version 23. I must be missing something. I used 3d rough to do the first toolpath with a .0500 allowance for xyz. The predator simulation showed that it machined correctly. Next I used 3d rough Finish. The predator simulation shows that all sides and island were machined correctly. This is where I have a question if I select the bottom to machine away the .0500 even though the bottom geometry is selected without the exsiting island the first thing the software does is machine away the island and still doesn't machine the .0500 that was left in the bottom. What am I missing??

Oh! I did want to mention that version 23 is miles ahead of 22.

Toolbit

Can you post your file so I can take a look at it. I think what you are saying is the software generates tool path that wipes out the island?

Ok never mind,

I think I get what is going on with this. If you are trying to finish a flat with the Z level it's not going to work. You would want to machine the flat with a 2D pocket, ( this way you can tell the software the depth so it finishes that surface.

When doing 3d cutting with BobCAD it cut's what you select. So if you just picked the bottom surface and didn't select the boss then yes the software will cut right through it.

With 3D tool paths BobCAD only looks at what is selected. In other words it doesn't know the rest of the model is there.

So always be sure to select everything you want to cut and use boundaries or other surfaces to block things you don't want cut.

:boxing::boxing::boxing::boxing::boxing:

Allen,

I'm not sure how to post a file in the forum. The file I'm talking about is "The 3D example" in both Vers 22 and 23 in the small book called "Getting Started Manual". In version 22 the 2D pocketing function had a tool rough and a tool finish both tool paths would show. So if you follow the same logic in Version 23 there is a 3D z-level rough. The tool path that is generated is shown and if you change the view to side and turn off solids you can see the depths. The point is if in the parameters you change the xyz allowance to 0.0500" you can see that the tool path changes accordingly both X, Y and in Z. So now you would need to finish the model. Since 3D Z-level rough had no provisions to exclude the 0.0500" to the z-level depth of the bottom logically you would select "3D Z-level finish. The tool path that will be generated will in fact cut the extra 0.0500" in the bottom but only the width of the tool at the island feature and walls of the sides leaving the rest of the bottom at a higher level. UMMmmmm 3D Z-level finish:bs:. Maybe the reason in the videos examples that 0 allowance is always selected.

Z level finish does not do planar horizontal surfaces. The mistake is to think that Z level rough means the model is finished with Z level finish.

Z level rough is a toolpath for "Pre-removing" a large amount of material from the stock in relation to the selected geometry. There is a setting for how much to leave for "Finishing" (this does not mean Z-level finishing). The toolpath then leaves this amount in all directions of the model.

The Z level finsh runs a toolpath for all "Vertical" areas of the geometry. This allows you to set up your tooling to do the "Walls" of the geometry. The flat horizontal surfaces need to be machined with a different toolpath, like one of the slice toolpaths.

If you want to do the z level all the way to the geometry in flat horizontal surfaces, just dont put a value in the stock to leave. that is the toolpath that you want z level finish to be.

You can post a file by right clicking it and chooseing "send to" "Compressed zip archive", then from your forum post window select the paper clip and browse for the file then upload.

76587

Burrman,

I guess the conversational control (Mid 90's) on my machine has me spoiled. It works similiar to the functions in Bobcad it ask a few questions and you define the geometry, tool sizes, and etc. You even select how much to leave for finishing and then you can change tool if you want and every thing in this operation is finished. Sort of you know.....logically.

You'll notice with that 3d example file your looking at the finish operation is a "slice radial". Looks like a good path to put after your Z level rough and then generate code to do the part.