What side of the line??

[becikeja]

Need some help with what I would assume to be a basic question, I just don't know the answer. I am using BobCad V20 and Mach 3. I have created a 2D drawing that I now want to create a tool path for. I am using a 1/16" bit to cut the shape. When I select the shape how do I know where the tool will actually run with respect to the line. Assuming I have a straight line with the arrow pointing to the right hand of the screen: Will the actual cut be on the right edge of the bit? the left edge of the bit? or the center of the bit? And where in BobCad or Mach3 do I actually set this up?

Appreciate the advice.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by becikeja Need some help with what I would assume to be a basic question, I just don't know the answer. I am using BobCad V20 and Mach 3. I have created a 2D drawing that I now want to create a tool path for. I am using a 1/16" bit to cut the shape. When I select the shape how do I know where the tool will actually run with respect to the line. Assuming I have a straight line with the arrow pointing to the right hand of the screen: Will the actual cut be on the right edge of the bit? the left edge of the bit? or the center of the bit? And where in BobCad or Mach3 do I actually set this up? Appreciate the advice.

Here is the deal with Tool Paths.

A 1" by 1" square box. You want to cut the outside so you want the cutter to move in a Clockwise direction. When you select the tool path to write the program for Mach 2 the cutter will follow the Center of the Path with the center of the Tool. If you want to offset the tool there are two ways to do this.

The first way would be to place an offset equal to half the diameter of the tool in an Offset registry in the Mach 2 Software.

The Second way to do this would be to Offset the Geometry in BobCad using the offset function.

You will also have to do a Lead In-Out so you don't get a dwell mark on the outside profile.

Your best bet would be to Log in on this Forum and Download the Free Video Tutorials that are made by Sorin Nenu, the Official BobCAD/CAM Trainer.

http://cadcamtrainer.com/forums/index.php

Cheers!!!