Island toolpaths?

[Zebu Fellenz]

I am new to Mastercam and need to construct a part that has islands machined on it.

Here is a basic description of the piece. A flat machined surface about 2 by four inches with a hex shaped island on the top side and two holes drilled that are counterbored.

I want to set it up to machine where it will face to top down to size, than continue on machining the piece down leaving the hex, then I go to tool change and machine the two holes.

I've tried to do this with a contour toolpath but it leaves a non machined area near the edge, it machines around the hex down to the right level but leves the rest of the material in place.

Any advice, I would look in the Mastercam books, but I won't have access to them for a week.

Thanks,

Erik

[Zebu Fellenz]

Just wanted to add that this is being done in X2.

[cadcam]

share your file here and I will put a path on it.

[Zebu Fellenz]

Will do, should I save it as a .mcx?

[cadcam]

save it as a mcx native file yes. You are running X2 correct?
This way I will do it in x2 so you can open the file .

[Zebu Fellenz]

Yes I am doing this in X2. The file I'll be uploading is different than the one I described before, but the problem is the same. In the current drawing I have four shapes (triangle, diamond, circle, and square) these shapes are contained within a 2x2 box. When machined I need these four shapes to remain at stock level while the rest of the 2x2 surface is milled down .125, I just have no idea how to create these raised islands in my toolpaths.

Thanks for your help,

Erik

[Zebu Fellenz]

File attached.

Thanks

[cadcam]

Originally Posted by Zebu Fellenz Yes I am doing this in X2. The file I'll be uploading is different than the one I described before, but the problem is the same. In the current drawing I have four shapes (triangle, diamond, circle, and square) these shapes are contained within a 2x2 box. When machined I need these four shapes to remain at stock level while the rest of the 2x2 surface is milled down .125, I just have no idea how to create these raised islands in my toolpaths. Thanks for your help, Erik

Please review my file. use pocket with facing and pick the main profile first the the nested shapes.

[Zebu Fellenz]

I'll look at it ASAP.

Thanks for your help.

[Zebu Fellenz]

Ok,

This is likely a dumb question but how do you select the side of the circular island to be machined when you're using a smaller diameter cutter? With a .125 mill it runs a toolpath both on the inside and outside of the circle. When I switch to a .375 mill it does it correctly like in the example you gave.

I could upload an example if it would help.

Thanks again for your help,

Erik