Need Help!- contouring

[joemech]

Is it possible to take a full depth of cut and step into the side of part , rather than steps in the Z. I am only cutting three sides or one end.
Have no training on Gibbs running it on the fly.
Thanks.

[eliot15]

Set your Z Step to your finished Z Depth (Desired and Actual) and set # Passes to 1. Then use multiple contour operations, each leaving less stock (Stock+/-) on the contour. You can do this automatically with the Offset Contour Plug-In at:

Plug-Ins -> HSM -> Offset Contour

I was just messing around with an OD contour myself, doing pretty much what you are talking about, so I attached it. Hope it helps.

[joemech]

Yes this does help . Thank you
Solids is the best way to go but I am not that good with that yet. It sure would be nice to have a few basic videos to watch .
Thank you again for the help.

[eliot15]

There are some videos on the GibbsCAM site (www.gibbscam.com). Follow the Support -> Product Training link to GibbsCAM Training Videos. There is a video on creating solids, one on machining solids, and a "new" one on machining solids using Advanced 3D processes. Also, the SolidSurfacer PDF that ships with GibbsCAM contains about 350 pages on modeling and machining solids.

[joemech]

I know there are some nice videos on the web site. Haven't had the money to renew the maintenance on my software. Using the PDF is very time consuming especially when I am trying to get a part out the door. I do appreciate the help.