Newbie- My first piece, is there a better way to do it?

[Ed from NY]

Hi

I'm doing my first piece in BobCad v21.5.3 and I'm not sure if there are better ways to do it.

The first picture is a rendering of the piece, actually doing 2 work pieces from one piece of stock. They are 5x3.5x1 on Nylon 6. The second picture has all the auxiliary lines I need still done in Autocad (easier to do them there because of osnap, etc.). The 3rd picture is the import on BobCad after I added the points to use for drilling (done using Point/Intersect on the imported construction lines).

So far I generated the G-code to drill the holes and now I'm working on the pockets. BTW the through holes are peck holes, just to give it a try and see if my mill does them.

// small thru holes

M5
M9
G0 G28 G91 Z0.
T1 M6
S0 M3
G90 G54 X0. Y0.
G43 H1 D1 Z3.
M8

G73X-0.875Y3.75Z1.2R-.1Q.4F25
X-2.5Y3.825
X-4.125Y3.9
Y1.1
X-2.5Y1.175
X-0.875Y1.25
X1.625Y1.1
X3.25Y1.175
X4.875Y1.25
Y3.75
X3.25Y3.825
X1.625Y3.9
G80

// countersunk holes

M5
M9
G0 G28 G91 Z0.
T2 M6
S0 M3
G90 G54 X0. Y0.
G43 H2 D2 Z3.
M8

G81X-0.875Y3.75Z.25R-.1F25
X-2.5Y3.825
X-4.125Y3.9
Y1.1
X-2.5Y1.175
X-0.875Y1.25
X1.625Y1.1
X3.25Y1.175
X4.875Y1.25
Y3.75
X3.25Y3.825
X1.625Y3.9
G80

Now, here it comes...

In order to make a pocket it seems I have to do 3 operations being careful not to mess up.

1) Rough in the pocket lying about the tool diameter (say it is 0.51 instead of 0.50) and select an artificial Z (-0.745 instead of the pocket bottom at -0.75) so that the rough box is within the finishing box by 50 mils (or less if you want). Since my pocket bleeds into the piece perimeter the wire frame boundary is slightly larger than the pocket itself in the side it bleeds over. That is the light blue line in the attached.

2) Then you do the contour telling BobCad the real diameter of the tool (0.50) and the real depth (-0.75). The contour uses the same light blue line as the boundary in the previous step. However, since we lied about the tool diameter then we get to finish it now.

3) Lastly you finish the pocket bottom at the real depth (-0.75), but with a fake tool diameter (0.51 instead of 0.50) so we do not touch the finished walls.

Am I going in the right direction?

Comments, suggestions?

Thanks!

[Ed from NY]

I did the 1st step, that is the roughing, but there is an awful lot of plunging. See the picture and commented g-code attached.

// roughing

Y1.505
G01Z-0.2483F25 // real plunge to begin 1st pass
X0.3698
X1.9343Y1.735
X0.33
Y1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y1.9782
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X3.1488Y2.195	//   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.1356         //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.2483        // plunging back
X0.33
Y2.425
X3.897
X3.8975Z0.      // going up to top of material while traversing 5 mills in X
X3.909          //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.9064Y2.4269  //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.2483        // plunging back
X3.5919Y2.6513
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X3.5866Y2.655   //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.5794         //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.2483        // plunging back
X0.33
Y2.885
X2.93
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X2.9194Y2.8893  //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.2483        // plunging back
X2.3536Y3.115
X0.33
Y3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1         // going up to rapid plane
Y1.505
G01Z-0.4967     // real plunge to begin 2nd pass
X0.3698
X1.9343Y1.735
X0.33
Y1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y1.9782
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X3.1488Y2.195   //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.1356         //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.4967        // plunging back
X0.33
Y2.425
X3.897
X3.8975Z0.      // going up to top of material while traversing 5 mills in X
X3.909          //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.9064Y2.4269  //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.4967        // plunging back
X3.5919Y2.6513
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X3.5866Y2.655   //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.5794         //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.4967        // plunging back
X0.33
Y2.885
X2.93
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X2.9194Y2.8893  //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.4967        // plunging back
X2.3536Y3.115
X0.33
Y3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1         // going up to rapid plane
Y1.505
G01Z-0.745      // real plunge to begin 3rd pass
X0.3698
X1.9343Y1.735
X0.33
Y1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y1.9782
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X3.1488Y2.195   //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.1356         //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.745         // plunging back
X0.33
Y2.425
X3.897
X3.8975Z0.      // going up to top of material while traversing 5 mills in X
X3.909          //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.9064Y2.4269  //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.745         // plunging back
X3.5919Y2.6513
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X3.5866Y2.655   //   - traversal scratching top of material
X3.5794         //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.745         // plunging back
X0.33
Y2.885
X2.93
Z0.             // going up to top of material
X2.9194Y2.8893  //   - traversal scratching top of material
Z-0.745         // plunging back
X2.3536Y3.115
X0.33
Y3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1         // going up to rapid plane and... DONE!

What am I doing wrong?

[Ed from NY]

Okay, I think I figured out what is happening. The curve is convex in certain areas (see attached) and the path is not smart enough to (a) use an arc, or (b) offer an option to stop short or (c) really clear the material before traversing.

Bummer, I'll try the spiral.

[Ed from NY]

Hmmm... spiral kinds of follow the outside contour, but it is worse since you have a lot more ups and downs and the generated code is much larger.

Z0.505
X-4.7295Y2.2456
G01Z0.005F25
X-4.4633Y2.2842
X-4.0209Y2.395
X-3.7272Y2.5
X-4.0209Y2.605
X-4.4633Y2.7158
X-4.7295Y2.7544
Y2.2457
X-4.6964Y2.018
X-4.4187Y2.0583
X-3.9541Y2.1746
X-3.485Y2.3423
X-3.0959Y2.5
X-3.485Y2.6577
X-3.9541Y2.8254
X-4.4187Y2.9417
X-4.8943Y3.0108
X-4.9595Y3.0139
Y1.9861
X-4.8943Y1.9892
X-4.6965Y2.0179
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.3742Y1.8324
X-3.8873Y1.9542
X-3.403Y2.1274
X-2.9041Y2.3296
X-2.8881Y2.3357
X-2.4378Y2.5
X-2.8881Y2.6643
X-2.9041Y2.6704
X-3.403Y2.8726
X-3.8873Y3.0458
X-4.3742Y3.1676
X-4.8722Y3.24
X-5.1895Y3.2551
Y1.7449
X-4.8722Y1.76
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.6303Y1.5627
X-4.3296Y1.6064
X-3.8205Y1.7338
X-3.3211Y1.9124
X-2.8177Y2.1164
X-2.8093Y2.1196
X-2.7971Y2.1241
X-2.7966Z0.1913
X-2.3009Y2.3052
X-2.3004Z0.005
X-2.2938Y2.3077
X-2.276Y2.3135
X-2.2621Y2.3175
X-2.2616Z0.1913
X-2.0247Y2.3849
X-2.0242Z0.005
X-2.0111Y2.3887
X-1.9946Y2.3928
X-1.9838Y2.3951
Z0.1913
X-1.7359Y2.448
Z0.005
X-1.725Y2.4503
X-1.7058Y2.4536
X-1.6971Y2.4548
Z0.1913
X-1.4419Y2.4891
Z0.005
X-1.4332Y2.4903
X-1.4111Y2.4923
X-1.4046
Z0.1913
X-1.2478Y2.5
X-1.4041Y2.5074
Z0.005
X-1.4111
X-1.4332Y2.5097
X-1.4411Y2.5108
Z0.1913
X-1.6968Y2.5452
Z0.005
X-1.7058Y2.5464
X-1.725Y2.5497
X-1.7355Y2.552
X-1.736Z0.1913
X-1.9834Y2.6048
Z0.005
X-1.9946Y2.6072
X-2.0111Y2.6113
X-2.0244Y2.6151
Z0.1913
X-2.2617Y2.6825
Z0.005
X-2.276Y2.6865
X-2.2938Y2.6923
X-2.3006Y2.6948
X-2.3011Z0.1913
X-2.7966Y2.8757
X-2.7971Z0.005
X-2.8093Y2.8804
X-2.8177Y2.8836
X-3.3211Y3.0876
X-3.8205Y3.2662
X-4.3296Y3.3936
X-4.8502Y3.4692
X-5.3811Y3.4945
X-5.4195
Y1.5055
X-5.3811
X-4.8502Y1.5308
X-4.6304Y1.5627
G00Z0.505
X-4.7295Y2.2456
G01Z-0.245
X-4.4633Y2.2842
X-4.0209Y2.395
X-3.7272Y2.5
X-4.0209Y2.605
X-4.4633Y2.7158
X-4.7295Y2.7544
Y2.2457
X-4.6964Y2.018
X-4.4187Y2.0583
X-3.9541Y2.1746
X-3.485Y2.3423
X-3.0959Y2.5
X-3.485Y2.6577
X-3.9541Y2.8254
X-4.4187Y2.9417
X-4.8943Y3.0108
X-4.9595Y3.0139
Y1.9861
X-4.8943Y1.9892
X-4.6965Y2.0179
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.3742Y1.8324
X-3.8873Y1.9542
X-3.403Y2.1274
X-2.9041Y2.3296
X-2.8881Y2.3357
X-2.4378Y2.5
X-2.8881Y2.6643
X-2.9041Y2.6704
X-3.403Y2.8726
X-3.8873Y3.0458
X-4.3742Y3.1676
X-4.8722Y3.24
X-5.1895Y3.2551
Y1.7449
X-4.8722Y1.76
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.6303Y1.5627
X-4.3296Y1.6064
X-3.8205Y1.7338
X-3.3211Y1.9124
X-2.8177Y2.1164
X-2.8093Y2.1196
X-2.7971Y2.1241
X-2.7966Z0.1275
X-2.3009Y2.3052
X-2.3004Z-0.245
X-2.2938Y2.3077
X-2.276Y2.3135
X-2.2621Y2.3175
X-2.2616Z0.1275
X-2.0247Y2.3849
X-2.0242Z-0.245
X-2.0111Y2.3887
X-1.9946Y2.3928
X-1.9838Y2.3951
Z0.1275
X-1.7359Y2.448
Z-0.245
X-1.725Y2.4503
X-1.7058Y2.4536
X-1.6971Y2.4548
Z0.1275
X-1.4419Y2.4891
Z-0.245
X-1.4332Y2.4903
X-1.4111Y2.4923
X-1.4046
Z0.1275
X-1.2478Y2.5
X-1.4041Y2.5074
Z-0.245
X-1.4111
X-1.4332Y2.5097
X-1.4411Y2.5108
Z0.1275
X-1.6968Y2.5452
Z-0.245
X-1.7058Y2.5464
X-1.725Y2.5497
X-1.7355Y2.552
X-1.736Z0.1275
X-1.9834Y2.6048
Z-0.245
X-1.9946Y2.6072
X-2.0111Y2.6113
X-2.0244Y2.6151
Z0.1275
X-2.2617Y2.6825
Z-0.245
X-2.276Y2.6865
X-2.2938Y2.6923
X-2.3006Y2.6948
X-2.3011Z0.1275
X-2.7966Y2.8757
X-2.7971Z-0.245
X-2.8093Y2.8804
X-2.8177Y2.8836
X-3.3211Y3.0876
X-3.8205Y3.2662
X-4.3296Y3.3936
X-4.8502Y3.4692
X-5.3811Y3.4945
X-5.4195
Y1.5055
X-5.3811
X-4.8502Y1.5308
X-4.6304Y1.5627
G00Z0.505
X-4.7295Y2.2456
G01Z-0.495
X-4.4633Y2.2842
X-4.0209Y2.395
X-3.7272Y2.5
X-4.0209Y2.605
X-4.4633Y2.7158
X-4.7295Y2.7544
Y2.2457
X-4.6964Y2.018
X-4.4187Y2.0583
X-3.9541Y2.1746
X-3.485Y2.3423
X-3.0959Y2.5
X-3.485Y2.6577
X-3.9541Y2.8254
X-4.4187Y2.9417
X-4.8943Y3.0108
X-4.9595Y3.0139
Y1.9861
X-4.8943Y1.9892
X-4.6965Y2.0179
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.3742Y1.8324
X-3.8873Y1.9542
X-3.403Y2.1274
X-2.9041Y2.3296
X-2.8881Y2.3357
X-2.4378Y2.5
X-2.8881Y2.6643
X-2.9041Y2.6704
X-3.403Y2.8726
X-3.8873Y3.0458
X-4.3742Y3.1676
X-4.8722Y3.24
X-5.1895Y3.2551
Y1.7449
X-4.8722Y1.76
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.6303Y1.5627
X-4.3296Y1.6064
X-3.8205Y1.7338
X-3.3211Y1.9124
X-2.8177Y2.1164
X-2.8093Y2.1196
X-2.7971Y2.1241
X-2.7966Z0.0638
X-2.3009Y2.3052
X-2.3004Z-0.495
X-2.2938Y2.3077
X-2.276Y2.3135
X-2.2621Y2.3175
X-2.2616Z0.0638
X-2.0247Y2.3849
X-2.0242Z-0.495
X-2.0111Y2.3887
X-1.9946Y2.3928
X-1.9838Y2.3951
Z0.0638
X-1.7359Y2.448
Z-0.495
X-1.725Y2.4503
X-1.7058Y2.4536
X-1.6971Y2.4548
Z0.0638
X-1.4419Y2.4891
Z-0.495
X-1.4332Y2.4903
X-1.4111Y2.4923
X-1.4046
Z0.0638
X-1.2478Y2.5
X-1.4041Y2.5074
Z-0.495
X-1.4111
X-1.4332Y2.5097
X-1.4411Y2.5108
Z0.0638
X-1.6968Y2.5452
Z-0.495
X-1.7058Y2.5464
X-1.725Y2.5497
X-1.7355Y2.552
X-1.736Z0.0638
X-1.9834Y2.6048
Z-0.495
X-1.9946Y2.6072
X-2.0111Y2.6113
X-2.0244Y2.6151
Z0.0638
X-2.2617Y2.6825
Z-0.495
X-2.276Y2.6865
X-2.2938Y2.6923
X-2.3006Y2.6948
X-2.3011Z0.0638
X-2.7966Y2.8757
X-2.7971Z-0.495
X-2.8093Y2.8804
X-2.8177Y2.8836
X-3.3211Y3.0876
X-3.8205Y3.2662
X-4.3296Y3.3936
X-4.8502Y3.4692
X-5.3811Y3.4945
X-5.4195
Y1.5055
X-5.3811
X-4.8502Y1.5308
X-4.6304Y1.5627
G00Z0.505
X-4.7295Y2.2456
G01Z-0.745
X-4.4633Y2.2842
X-4.0209Y2.395
X-3.7272Y2.5
X-4.0209Y2.605
X-4.4633Y2.7158
X-4.7295Y2.7544
Y2.2457
X-4.6964Y2.018
X-4.4187Y2.0583
X-3.9541Y2.1746
X-3.485Y2.3423
X-3.0959Y2.5
X-3.485Y2.6577
X-3.9541Y2.8254
X-4.4187Y2.9417
X-4.8943Y3.0108
X-4.9595Y3.0139
Y1.9861
X-4.8943Y1.9892
X-4.6965Y2.0179
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.3742Y1.8324
X-3.8873Y1.9542
X-3.403Y2.1274
X-2.9041Y2.3296
X-2.8881Y2.3357
X-2.4378Y2.5
X-2.8881Y2.6643
X-2.9041Y2.6704
X-3.403Y2.8726
X-3.8873Y3.0458
X-4.3742Y3.1676
X-4.8722Y3.24
X-5.1895Y3.2551
Y1.7449
X-4.8722Y1.76
X-4.6634Y1.7903
X-4.6303Y1.5627
X-4.3296Y1.6064
X-3.8205Y1.7338
X-3.3211Y1.9124
X-2.8177Y2.1164
X-2.8093Y2.1196
X-2.7971Y2.1241
X-2.7966Z0.
X-2.3009Y2.3052
X-2.3004Z-0.745
X-2.2938Y2.3077
X-2.276Y2.3135
X-2.2621Y2.3175
X-2.2616Z0.
X-2.0247Y2.3849
X-2.0242Z-0.745
X-2.0111Y2.3887
X-1.9946Y2.3928
X-1.9838Y2.3951
Z0.
X-1.7359Y2.448
Z-0.745
X-1.725Y2.4503
X-1.7058Y2.4536
X-1.6971Y2.4548
Z0.
X-1.4419Y2.4891
Z-0.745
X-1.4332Y2.4903
X-1.4111Y2.4923
X-1.4046
Z0.
X-1.2478Y2.5
X-1.4041Y2.5074
Z-0.745
X-1.4111
X-1.4332Y2.5097
X-1.4411Y2.5108
Z0.
X-1.6968Y2.5452
Z-0.745
X-1.7058Y2.5464
X-1.725Y2.5497
X-1.7355Y2.552
X-1.736Z0.
X-1.9834Y2.6048
Z-0.745
X-1.9946Y2.6072
X-2.0111Y2.6113
X-2.0244Y2.6151
Z0.
X-2.2617Y2.6825
Z-0.745
X-2.276Y2.6865
X-2.2938Y2.6923
X-2.3006Y2.6948
X-2.3011Z0.
X-2.7966Y2.8757
X-2.7971Z-0.745
X-2.8093Y2.8804
X-2.8177Y2.8836
X-3.3211Y3.0876
X-3.8205Y3.2662
X-4.3296Y3.3936
X-4.8502Y3.4692
X-5.3811Y3.4945
X-5.4195
Y1.5055
X-5.3811
X-4.8502Y1.5308
X-4.6304Y1.5627
G00Z0.505

See pic. You can see some of the ups and downs (does not show all)

[Ed from NY]

Okay, I really need to move on so I edited the G-code.

If you have a better solution please let me know so that I can learn and do it better next time

Here is the edited G code...

// roughing right

Z0.1
X0.33Y1.505
G01Z-0.2483F25
X0.3698
X1.9343Y1.735
X0.33
Y1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y1.9782
//Z0.
//X3.1488Y2.195
X2.9488Y2.195
X3.1356
//Z-0.2483
X0.33
Y2.425
X3.897
//X3.8975Z0.
//X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y2.4269
//Z-0.2483
X3.5919Y2.6513
//Z0.
//X3.5866Y2.655
X3.3866Y2.655
X3.5794
//Z-0.2483
X0.33
Y2.885
X2.93
//Z0.
X2.9194Y2.8893
//Z-0.2483
X2.3536Y3.115
X0.33
Y3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1
Y1.505
G01Z-0.4967
X0.3698
X1.9343Y1.735
X0.33
Y1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y1.9782
//Z0.
//X3.1488Y2.195
X2.9488Y2.195
X3.1356
//Z-0.4967
X0.33
Y2.425
X3.897
//X3.8975Z0.
//X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y2.4269
//Z-0.4967
X3.5919Y2.6513
//Z0.
//X3.5866Y2.655
X3.3866Y2.655
X3.5794
//Z-0.4967
X0.33
Y2.885
X2.93
//Z0.
X2.9194Y2.8893
//Z-0.4967
X2.3536Y3.115
X0.33
Y3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1
Y1.505
G01Z-0.745
X0.3698
X1.9343Y1.735
X0.33
Y1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y1.9782
//Z0.
//X3.1488Y2.195
X2.9488Y2.195
X3.1356
//Z-0.745
X0.33
Y2.425
X3.897
//X3.8975Z0.
//X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y2.4269
//Z-0.745
X3.5919Y2.6513
//Z0.
//X3.5866Y2.655
X3.3866Y2.655
X3.5794
//Z-0.745
X0.33
Y2.885
X2.93
//Z0.
X2.9194Y2.8893
//Z-0.745
X2.3536Y3.115
X0.33
Y3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1

Attached is the cad drawing if you want to give it a try

[Ed from NY]

Oh God!

The Y axis is not inverted *sigh*

If by any chance another newbie reads this and does not want to waste a couple of hours of work, the setting is in the CAM menu under Setup/Coordinates.

[Ed from NY]

The code is running (there might be very minor changes I made directly on Mach3, but no more than one or two).

The problem now is that my Z axis stepper came loose during the testing and I had to stop

If you are following this thread here is the code I'm testing with and attached is the cad file

;1/4 drill bit for thru holes
;make sure to zero Z on stock surface

M5
M9
;G0 G28 G91 Z0.
G28 G91 Z0.
T1 M6
S1000 M3
G90 G54 X0. Y0.
;G43 H1 D1 Z3.
M8

; pecked holes

G73X-0.875Y-3.75Z-1.3R0.1Q0.5F20
X-2.5Y-3.825
X-4.125Y-3.9
Y-1.1
X-2.5Y-1.175
X-0.875Y-1.25
X1.625Y-1.1
X3.25Y-1.175
X4.875Y-1.25
Y-3.75
X3.25Y-3.825
X1.625Y-3.9
G80

;1/2 end mill for countersinking and all milling
;make sure to zero Z on stock surface

M5
M9
;G0 G28 G91 Z0.
G28 G91 Z0.
T2 M6
S1000 M3
G90 G54 X0. Y0.
;G43 H2 D2 Z0.
M8


G81X-0.875Y-3.75 Z-.25R0.1F25
X-2.5Y-3.825
X-4.125Y-3.9
Y-1.1
X-2.5Y-1.175
X-0.875Y-1.25
X1.625Y-1.1
X3.25Y-1.175
X4.875Y-1.25
Y-3.75
X3.25Y-3.825
X1.625Y-3.9
G80

;rought right

Z0.1
X0.33Y-1.505
G01Z-0.2483F25
X0.3698
X1.9343Y-1.735
X0.33
Y-1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y-1.9782
;Z0.
;X3.1488Y-2.195
X2.9488Y-2.195
X3.1356
;Z-0.2483
X0.33
Y-2.425
X3.897
;X3.8975Z0.
;X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y-2.4269
;Z-0.2483
X3.5919Y-2.6513
;Z0.
;X3.5866Y-2.655
X3.3866Y-2.655
X3.5794
;Z-0.2483
X0.33
Y-2.885
X2.93
;Z0.
X2.9194Y-2.8893
;Z-0.2483
X2.3536Y-3.115
X0.33
Y-3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y-3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1
Y-1.505
G01Z-0.4967
X0.3698
X1.9343Y-1.735
X0.33
Y-1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y-1.9782
;Z0.
;X3.1488Y-2.195
X2.9488Y-2.195
X3.1356
;Z-0.4967
X0.33
Y-2.425
X3.897
;X3.8975Z0.
;X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y-2.4269
;Z-0.4967
X3.5919Y-2.6513
;Z0.
;X3.5866Y-2.655
X3.3866Y-2.655
X3.5794
;Z-0.4967
X0.33
Y-2.885
X2.93
;Z0.
X2.9194Y-2.8893
;Z-0.4967
X2.3536Y-3.115
X0.33
Y-3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y-3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1
Y-1.505
G01Z-0.745
X0.3698
X1.9343Y-1.735
X0.33
Y-1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y-1.9782
;Z0.
;X3.1488Y-2.195
X2.9488Y-2.195
X3.1356
;Z-0.745
X0.33
Y-2.425
X3.897
;X3.8975Z0.
;X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y-2.4269
;Z-0.745
X3.5919Y-2.6513
;Z0.
;X3.5866Y-2.655
X3.3866Y-2.655
X3.5794
;Z-0.745
X0.33
Y-2.885
X2.93
;Z0.
X2.9194Y-2.8893
;Z-0.745
X2.3536Y-3.115
X0.33
Y-3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y-3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1

;profile right

X1.625Y-3.9
X-0.0065Y-1.8536
G01Z0.F15
X0.347Y-1.5
X0.369
X0.9003Y-1.5253
X1.4215Y-1.601
X1.9311Y-1.7286
X2.4309Y-1.9073
X2.9344Y-2.1113
G02X2.9426Y-2.1145I0.0939J0.2317
G01X3.4581Y-2.3026
G02X3.4755Y-2.3082I0.0857J0.2349
G01X3.7404Y-2.3834
G02X3.7565Y-2.3874I0.0683J0.2405
G01X4.0261Y-2.4449
G02X4.0449Y-2.4482I0.0522J0.2445
G01X4.3176Y-2.4849
G02X4.3392Y-2.4868I0.0333J0.2478
G01X4.6132Y-2.4997
G02X4.625I0.0118J0.2497
X4.6132Y-2.5003I0.J-0.25
G01X4.3392Y-2.5132
G02X4.3176Y-2.5151I0.0117J-0.2497
G01X4.0449Y-2.5518
G02X4.0261Y-2.5551I0.0334J-0.2478
G01X3.7565Y-2.6126
G02X3.7404Y-2.6166I0.0522J-0.2445
G01X3.4755Y-2.6918
G02X3.4581Y-2.6974I0.0683J-0.2405
G01X2.9426Y-2.8855
G02X2.9344Y-2.8887I0.0857J-0.2349
G01X2.4309Y-3.0927
X1.9311Y-3.2714
X1.4215Y-3.399
X0.9003Y-3.4747
X0.369Y-3.5
X0.325
Y-1.5
X0.347
X0.7006Y-1.8536
G00Z0.1

;finish bottom

X0.33Y-1.505
G01Z-0.75F15
X0.3698
X1.9343Y-1.735
X0.33
Y-1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y-1.9782
;Z0.
;X3.1488Y-2.195
X2.9488Y-2.195
X3.1356
;Z-0.75
X0.33
Y-2.425
X3.897
;X3.8975Z0.
;X3.909
X3.709
X3.9064Y-2.4269
;Z-0.75
X3.5919Y-2.6513
;Z0.
;X3.5866Y-2.655
X3.3866Y-2.655
X3.5794
;Z-0.75
X0.33
Y-2.885
X2.93
;Z0.
X2.9194Y-2.8893
;Z-0.75
X2.3536Y-3.115
X0.33
Y-3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y-3.495
X0.33
G00Z0.1

;end of test

G00 X0 Y0 Z0

As you can see a lot of g-code edited and we have not even done the external profile or looked at tool paths between operations.

Is this really the way it is or am I trying too hard?

Thanks!

[Ed from NY]

Okay, I made it into subroutines...

Problem is either my subroutines are messed up of BobCad does not understand subroutines.

Simulation, tool path representation... all gone

Will need to wait a day or two till I have time to check the Z axis to run it on the machine on air and then on Styrofoam or something cheap and forgiving (not sure what).

; through holes with peck drilling
M5 M9
G00 X0 Y0 Z0
T1 M06 (0.25 drill bit, 1000 RPM, zero Z on workpiece height)
M3 S1000 M8

G73X-0.875Y-3.75Z-1.3R0.1Q0.5F20
M98 P6
G80

; countersunk holes with spot drilling
M5 M9
G00 X0 Y0 Z4
T1 M06 (0.50 3 flute end mill, 1000 RPM, zero Z on workpiece height)
M3 S1000 M8

G81X-0.875Y-3.75 Z-.25R0.1F25
M98 P6
G80

; pocketing and profile
M5 M9
T1 M06 (no tool change, manualy set RPM to 2500 RPM)
M3 S2500 M8

G52 X0 Y0 (right pocket)
M98 P1
G52 X-5.75 Y0 (left pocket)
M98 P1
; missing external profile

; done!
G00 G93 X0 Y0 Z0 (go to machine zero)
M30 (finish)

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

; subroutine to do pocket
; does provide Z clearance
; does reset G92
O1
G52 Z0 (pass 1 - rough)
G00 Z0.1
M98 P2
G52 Z-0.25 (pass 2 - rough)
G00 Z0.1
M98 P2
G52 Z-0.495 (pass 3 - rough)
G00 Z0.1
M98 P2
G52 Z-0.5 (pass 4 - finish)
G00 Z0.1
M98 P3
G52 Z0 (finish side)
G00 Z0.1
M98 P5
G52 X0 Y0 Z0 (reset G52)
G00 Z0.1 (rapid plane)
M99

; subroutine to remove one rough pass on pocket
; assumes no responsability for Z clearance
O2
X0.33Y-1.505
G01Z-0.25F25 (plunges -0.25 in relation to G52, sets roughing IPM)
M98 P4
M99

; subroutine to finish pocket bottom
; assumes no responsability for Z clearance
O3
X0.33Y-1.505
G01Z-0.25F15 (plunges -0.25 in relation to G52, sets finishing IPM)
M98 P4
M99

; helper subroutine to remove one pass on pocket
; assumes no responsability for Z clearance
O4
X0.3698
X1.9343Y-1.735
X0.33
Y-1.965
X2.5601
X2.5939Y-1.9782
X2.9488Y-2.195
X3.1356
X0.33
Y-2.425
X3.897
X3.709
X3.9064Y-2.4269
X3.5919Y-2.6513
X3.3866Y-2.655
X3.5794
X0.33
Y-2.885
X2.93
X2.9194Y-2.8893
X2.3536Y-3.115
X0.33
Y-3.345
X1.6164
X0.3698Y-3.495
X0.33
M99

; subroutine to finish pocket side
; assumes no responsability for Z clearance
O5
X0.33Y-1.505
G01Z-0.75F15 (plunge -0.75 in relation to G52, sets finishing IPM)
X0.347Y-1.5
X0.369
X0.9003Y-1.5253
X1.4215Y-1.601
X1.9311Y-1.7286
X2.4309Y-1.9073
X2.9344Y-2.1113
G02X2.9426Y-2.1145I0.0939J0.2317
G01X3.4581Y-2.3026
G02X3.4755Y-2.3082I0.0857J0.2349
G01X3.7404Y-2.3834
G02X3.7565Y-2.3874I0.0683J0.2405
G01X4.0261Y-2.4449
G02X4.0449Y-2.4482I0.0522J0.2445
G01X4.3176Y-2.4849
G02X4.3392Y-2.4868I0.0333J0.2478
G01X4.6132Y-2.4997
G02X4.625I0.0118J0.2497
X4.6132Y-2.5003I0.J-0.25
G01X4.3392Y-2.5132
G02X4.3176Y-2.5151I0.0117J-0.2497
G01X4.0449Y-2.5518
G02X4.0261Y-2.5551I0.0334J-0.2478
G01X3.7565Y-2.6126
G02X3.7404Y-2.6166I0.0522J-0.2445
G01X3.4755Y-2.6918
G02X3.4581Y-2.6974I0.0683J-0.2405
G01X2.9426Y-2.8855
G02X2.9344Y-2.8887I0.0857J-0.2349
G01X2.4309Y-3.0927
X1.9311Y-3.2714
X1.4215Y-3.399
X0.9003Y-3.4747
X0.369Y-3.5
X0.325
Y-1.5
X0.347
X0.7006Y-1.8536
M99

; subroutine to drill holes
; assumes modal G73 or G81
O6
X-2.5Y-3.825
X-4.125Y-3.9
Y-1.1
X-2.5Y-1.175
X-0.875Y-1.25
X1.625Y-1.1
X3.25Y-1.175
X4.875Y-1.25
Y-3.75
X3.25Y-3.825
X1.625Y-3.9
M99

[Ed from NY]

Weird, I also tried the CNC Simulator (http://www.cncsimulator.com/) and they do not support subroutines either.

So I guess if you start touching up code in that way it will be between you and your text editor.

[Allen123]

Ed,

I think you are trying too hard on this project.

1) If you are having the tool scuff up the wall on the pocket. Offset the pocket wall to leave stock for a finish path. .100 or so. You could just do this in the pocket tool path feature there is a setting for stock left for finishing.

2) In order to get a nice and clean wall you need to run a finish tool on just the profile of the wall.

[Ed from NY]

Originally Posted by Allen123 Ed, I think you are trying too hard on this project. 1) If you are having the tool scuff up the wall on the pocket. Offset the pocket wall to leave stock for a finish path. .100 or so. You could just do this in the pocket tool path feature there is a setting for stock left for finishing. 2) In order to get a nice and clean wall you need to run a finish tool on just the profile of the wall.

Yeap, you are right. I got carried away big time with the subroutine stuff. It started because I did not want to do both pockets so I said, oh well just do a G92 and put it in a subroutine... and it grew from there... now I lost the graphical representation of the tool paths... not a big deal, but probably not something I want to keep doing

Above I'm using the finishing tool as the same end mill just with a slower feed (F15 instead of F25). If I want to use the same end mill (because I do not have another) can I do it that way or should I up the RPM as well?

BTW, the reason why I chose to change only the feed is because the spindle control on my mill is not working from gcode , but I could rearrange things so that the roughing takes place in both pockets, then I manually change the RPM, and then do the finishing on both pockets if that would work a bit better.

[ShineMachineCo.]

Ed,

I think you would find this to be much more simple to work with if you draw it in 2D.

You can use the same tool for both operations, but in reality then you're finishing the entire part. I would suggest investing in some roughers. You will be able to run much higher feed rates.