How to tell mastercam I already drilled holes in my stock?

[trialanderror]

I have about 100 of these hex's on the left of the image above to pocket. I already drilled all the holes now I just need to do the hexagon pocketing. Is there a way to tell mastercam that there is no material where these holes are so it does not try to remachine that area? It will probably take me twice as long to machine a bunch of air. Hope someone can help, I am new to mastercam. The holes are already in my drawing in mastercam and set up as the first tool path (hex pocketing is the second tool path)

[Superman]

Create a model of what is already done, and then select that solid as your stock model

but the quickest method to machine that may be to use 2D_Contour ( Ramp )
- Rough it with a tool that would leave material on the wall & at the same time overhang the edge of the hole
- Finish it using the same operation ( copy it ) with a finishing cutter & with a zero offset

[trialanderror]

Hmm how do I save the model that I already did as stock so I can import it ?

[txcncman]

Save it as an STL file.

[trialanderror]

Create a model of what is already done, and then select that solid as your stock model

but the quickest method to machine that may be to use 2D_Contour ( Ramp )
- Rough it with a tool that would leave material on the wall & at the same time overhang the edge of the hole
- Finish it using the same operation ( copy it ) with a finishing cutter & with a zero offset

I am still new to navigating mastercam, using version X5. Can you tell me the process for doing the 2d contour? Like where I click to get there?

[neurosis]

Since you are using X5, no stock model available.

Ive used the 2d high speed paths for situations like this. You can use 2d dynamic rest and pick the drill op as your previous operation.

[trialanderror]

How do i do the 2d high speed paths?

[neurosis]

Can you post your file to the forum?

Your version of X5, is it MU1 or the initial release of X5?

[cadcam]

sense you are using a solid and want to use pocket use the option when picking geo to use Sold and set for face and pick the floor and it will cut around that area not cutting there.

[trialanderror]

Thanks I will try this tomorrow if not I will post the file

[txcncman]

It is funny how people get stuck on certain ways of doing things. I would have just used 2D contour with multi-passes and depth cuts as needed to avoid the pre-drilled area and been finished with the program running some parts already. Then I would research ways to try to make it more efficient. If the spindle is not turning, you are not making money. And even then you might not be making money, but the first is definitely not making money.