Help Bobcad Auto-cut

[beausdn]

HI I am having trouble here, I want to cut a simple slot 20mm deep 3 mm at a time, when I use auto-cut it works but always returns to safe Z with each pass. Is there a way to make it Z up 1 mm above the last pass? Also is there a way to make it cut in both directions. I am only using mdf right now.

PS. I know this can all be done using Single-Cut it just takes too long

thanks

[msomerville]

Not that I know of. I think it is a safety feature in the software. There might be some work arounds, although they might be as much of pain as using cutting single. You could translate the line - in Z and join every other end. Changing the kind of line, from a solid to a long dashed line will use youi Z pierce feedrate.
If you want more help with BCC there is a BobCad support forum and the guys at
http://cadcamtrainer.com/forums/index.php?
That is Sorin's free site. He travels and does the training for BobCad

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by beausdn HI I am having trouble here, I want to cut a simple slot 20mm deep 3 mm at a time, when I use auto-cut it works but always returns to safe Z with each pass. Is there a way to make it Z up 1 mm above the last pass? Also is there a way to make it cut in both directions. I am only using mdf right now. PS. I know this can all be done using Single-Cut it just takes too long thanks

There are a lot of tricks for doing this.

1) you can draw your first Depth of cut and Translate Copies Z-(minus) forcing BCC to keep the Z down.

2) Mess around with the Tool Up/Down until you get the results your looking for.

3) Interpolate the slot using a smaller tool.

4) Draw all the cuts (Translate and Copy), link them together with an entity> Select the Geometry and use Auto Cut.

What your describing sounds like you use Mastercam Software. Do you???

Cheers!!!!!

[beausdn]

Ok thanks for your suggestions I'll try therm out next time, I thought of a way after I posted as well. I figured I could make copies down the z and then link them alternetly calling for 1 mm ea. I'll let you know . Thanks again.

[tjones]

There is also another trick.

Change(convert) all outputs with the Z retract to the clearance position to a g91z1.0 move instead of the absolute Z move mentioned.

One problem is to make sure there are no other moves in Z the same values exactly or it will convert them as well. Also be sure there is a g90 on the next line.

[stevespo]

I just figured out an easy way to script this. You can capture your own sequence, but this is what is working for me. Select the slot/line you want to mill.

Copy
Paste ... Z=-mm Copies=N
Reverse2
LineJoin

As suggested above, if you translate -Z and create N copies, you will then end up with a series of line segments that reverse direction as Z decreases and will be joined at the ends. A simple optimized slot tool path.

Steve