Toolpath issue

[rewster]

Noob alert.

I'm trying to make my first part with the help of cambam. The part is a simple shape, a derailleur hanger. When I generate a toolpath for this profile, the tool goes inside and outside of my object lines, despite what settings and toolsize. I use. I've tried joining the object as a polyline as well as a region, and still the same result. Any ideas? Thanks for the help.

[10bulls]

Is it possible to upload a file to look at?
You would need to zip up CamBam (.cb) files first to upload them.
Alternatively you can email them to 10bulls at gmail dot com.

It sounds like there may be part of the line that is causing CamBam trouble.
Overlaps, backtracks and tiny loops are the usual culprits.

The latest development version of CamBam (0.9.8) has a number of improvements in place to better handle such problems.

[rewster]

10bulls,

Many thanks for the quick reply. Great piece of software you have here, just wish I could figure out this little glitch. Here's a screen shot of the toolpath. I'll try to zip the .cb file and email to the address you provided.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5667653...9688/lightbox/

[rewster]

Edit: zipped cb file attached

[Dougal]

I think if you join all those segments into one polyline, it'll work great.

Select them all (hold ctrl and click each one), then right click and find join in one of the menus.

[10bulls]

Yes, as Dougal says, polylines should be joined if they are to be machined together. CTRL+A (select all) then CTRL+J (join) are a couple of quick shortcuts.

However, there is one line to watch out for... if you rotate the drawing (hold ALT then click and drag the drawing), there is an extra line segment at a different Z level. If you don't need this line I would just delete it it as it may cause confusion if you try and machine that as well.

Good luck!

[rewster]

Ahhh ha! That random line segment must be the culprit. I tried joining all of the lines as a polyline with no luck.....never even realized that I had a stray line on another plane. Thanks for the support, even if it was a user error.


Edit: Got it working! I thought I had joined the polylines earlier, but the tolerance I had entered did not bridge all of the gaps. Entered a slightly larger tolerance and BAM, one toolpath! Many thanks for the program and help, I will certainly be purchasing a license when my trial runs out.

[rewster]

yet another problem. loaded the gcode into mach3 and ran it. the cut was beautiful except for the fact that it faceted a few of the rounded corners. the toolpath is nice and smooth in cambam, but in mach3 these corners are chamfered and are highlighted purple in the toolpath window. ??,?

oh, there's also a random circle that appeared from no where as well. i removed it from the code. don't know if that could be related


solved: IJ mode in mach3. false alarm.

[Dougal]

Originally Posted by rewster solved: IJ mode in mach3. false alarm.

Yeah, I had the same issue on my first part too.

[shortheath]

Originally Posted by 10bulls Is it possible to upload a file to look at? You would need to zip up CamBam (.cb) files first to upload them. Alternatively you can email them to 10bulls at gmail dot com. It sounds like there may be part of the line that is causing CamBam trouble. Overlaps, backtracks and tiny loops are the usual culprits. The latest development version of CamBam (0.9.8) has a number of improvements in place to better handle such problems.

I am a newbie working for the first time on Cambam. I have a similar problem to the one you helped rewster with on cnczone. I attach the .cb file for your perusal. I would like the toolpath to be on the outside of the main "key" and on the inside of the 10mm circle. I would appreciate it if you could educate me in any changes that might be needed,
TIA,

[Dougal]

Originally Posted by shortheath I am a newbie working for the first time on Cambam. I have a similar problem to the one you helped rewster with on cnczone. I attach the .cb file for your perusal. I would like the toolpath to be on the outside of the main "key" and on the inside of the 10mm circle. I would appreciate it if you could educate me in any changes that might be needed, TIA,

I don't see your attached file.

[shortheath]

Originally Posted by Dougal I don't see your attached file.

Sorry Dougal can't figure out how to attach