Beginner question in Expert and 2d

[mlinder]

HU, WMS,

The ability to select several loops (pockets, cutouts etc) and have them all cut out at the same time with the same tool parameters was a cool feature in the OneCNC product called "Profile". In fact, using the above part as an example, you could select each internal chain, and the point at where you selected the chain became the exact spot the cut would start - and then ALL the selected pockets, cutouts (whatever you would like to call them) would be cut in the order you selected them. This above example is a part where the internal cutouts are just that - cutouts - no material is left on the bottom. They are cut clear through, meaning a simple profile cut is all that is necessary. Althought Mill expert certainly can cut this part properly, it seems to require a separate toolpath operation to be created for each cutout. Quite cumbersome.

I talked to Mike Reyes about this many months ago and he was right - OneCNC Mill Expert is designed primarily as a 3D contour/solids/surfacing product, not a lowly 2D program. And it does its job well.

OK I admit it. This is one of MY parts that I make for one of my customers. I actually use another CADCAM prodcut to make it that is geared strictly for 2 1/2 D work, so it's way of dealing with this parts is much more streamlined. However, I am slowly learning my way through Mill Expert becasue i want to learn 3D - which my current 2 1/2 D product does not do, and just was trying to replicate the process I already use in the other product.

Did what I just say make any sense to you all????

Have a good evening!

Mark Linder

[HuFlungDung]

Hi Mark,

So are you saying you would still like to be able to use the automatic approach feature to start each cut? I'm assuming this is what I may have overlooked. Otherwise, my initial method would be correct, except that the cutter is starting right adjacent to the profile.

[wms]

HU,
I guess it depends on if you are in fact just wanting to "cut out" the inner features by milling. By that I mean say thin sheet that you are cutting and you can let the inner "pieces" just go where they may.
Then the method you suggested is the way to go. You can use the "ramp follow boundary" to mill your way to your first level, (or full depth in the case of thin sheet).

If you are milling thicker parts and the "cut outs" will cause problems,(flying projectiles, or broken cutters), then using the pocket function would be better, as it would remove the inner features in a more sane manner.

If you needed a radial approach then the "profile" would be your only option at this time. And yes, you would have to select each "cut out" individually.

But if you where doing alot of this type work, I believe the "Onecnc Profiler" product would be the way to go. I think ( but not sure) that it has features simular to what we would be talking about. It is designed just for this type of work.

I see while I was typing this up Mark anwsered most of our questions. (are you still sweating?)

[mlinder]

Yup!

Just got back from your basic 8:40pm 90 degree stroller walk.

Aw, it's not bad really. San Diego is pretty hard to beat - except for super high gas prices, the cost of housing, no water...

Anyway, I was really just curious as to how Expert would handle 2D compared to Mastercam Router, which I use currently. I cut a lot of carbon fiber which CAN break tools if the cutouts are not dealt with properly. I have a simple technique to keep the majority of cutouts in place without using tape! For the rest, my lead ins essentially split the cutouts into 2 smaller pieces which my vacuum system (no, it's not a Hoover or a Bissel) can take away with no fuss.

Mastercam Router has made my life extremely easy on the 2 1/2D stuff. Since that is 99% of what I do, I could not justify purchasing Mastercam Mill for 3D even though I am familiar with the interface and the general aspects of the program. On the other hand, I was able to purchase two seats of Mill Expert and STILL this was half the cost of ONE seat of Mastercam Mill. Mill Expert is my 3D software and I am slowly getting into it more and more.

All right. I'm done.

I certainly enjoy reading the offerings of HU, WMS, Hardmill, and others. I have already learned so much more than I knew previous to this site coming online.

I look forward to reading more, and hopefully I can contribute some useful tips in the future.

Mark Linder

[cadcam]

Mlinder, Are you using tabs at all to keep it partialy to the main sheet?

[mlinder]

CADCAM,

Good morning!

Most of the parts I produce are simliar in nature to this one. There are many drill holes in the parts. What I do is make a tooling board from MDF material. I then drill holes in the MDF that are sized to hold a tooling pin. These tooling pins are slightly (.002-.004 in) smaller in diameter than the part's drill hole size. In a sense, I make a "template" in the mdf board. Since I am making 100's of these parts at a time, I drill all the holes in the dozens of panels required to produce the job. I then "pin" the tooling board with the appropriate size pins, place the predrilled production material onto the pins and start routing.

Some parts, which have no holes at all, are tabbed. I rout the panels, and break off the tabs. We then follow with a very light drum sander on the tab to clean it up.
I hope this answers your question.

CADCAM, I see you are a Mastercam reseller. Do you now Charles Davis? He is my Mastercam reseller here in San Diego. He is located in Poway - 15 miles north of San Diego. He is a really great guy! He has helped me so much in areas beyond merely the software purchase.

Have a good day

Mark Linder

[cadcam]

Mlinder, you have a top dealer and vary smart person helping you.
I do know charles you can ask him about if you like.

I have a question ,You don't find making the pin so much smaller saying .004 tat this make for to much slop.
Just my look on it.

[Rekd]

Mark, I swear I know you from somewhere, besides emastercam.

'Rekd

[mlinder]

CADCAM,

I find .002 -.004 works pretty well. since we pin in several locations on the part. We get no movement of the part all all.

Of course, most of these parts aren't going on the Space Shuttle, if you know what I mean! Especially for the prcing they are will to pay!

Rekd,

Being a cad/cam software "junkie", I have lurked on the BobCAD forum up until a few months ago. Now that HuFlungdung no longer resides there - what's the point?? Could it be from there that you may know me? I still have that software for importing different file types and teaching some entry level basics for new employees who have little experience. Before purchasing Mastercam, I owned (still own) a seat of Surfcam as well.

I think there needs to be a CNCZONE get together!

Mark Linder

[Rekd]

Mark,

I mean I remember your name from outside the net. Like we might have worked together or somfin.

'Rekd teh curious

[mlinder]

Rekd,

Sorry if this is severrely off topic, but

Now I am really curious.

I see the buggy image. I hit the desert too.

You are in San Diego as well.

We may have a common friend who is into everything Reggae perhaps?

I feel like I am on the old game show "What's my Line" or something like that.

By the way, the quad in my Avatar is a Polaris Predator. I just bought it this year, but now it is being replaced by a Bombardier DS650. 650 cc's of pure dune riding bliss.

I guess I'll have to change the avatar to maybe "Sand Bomb"?

Mark Linder