Surface pocket toolpaths

[jcnewbie]

I have an open end of the cube and I am able to use the surface rough pocket toolpath. However, if I want to finish it, why is there not a surface finish pocket toolpath ?

I am thinking that if the pocket is already roughed out, then if there was a finish pocket toolpath then it would just cut air ? Am I correct ?

[Superman]

Originally Posted by jcnewbie I have an open end of the cube and I am able to use the surface rough pocket toolpath. However, if I want to finish it, why is there not a surface finish pocket toolpath ? I am thinking that if the pocket is already roughed out, then if there was a finish pocket toolpath then it would just cut air ? Am I correct ?

Yep,
All you have left is the walls and floor, these features can and do take many forms ( wavy, undercut, twists etc ) and the method required to finish these features can be very different to the method to finish the floor, or the opposite wall

It would be un-wise to surface finish the walls and floor of a 10" square x 5" deep tapered pocket in 1 operation using a stepover of 0.010", where the floor could have been done with an flat endmill, as an example