johntech wrote:So far I'm just trying to get the front side correct for and the milling speeds and depth per pass right. I don't know how or what size teeth to cut in there. I also have to figure out how to flip this over, using DraftSight and Cut2D, because I have some things on the back side I need to mill so the support pieces all fit together in alignment. Right now with the track in there the knuckle on the coupler will be right at the center of rotation.
If you have any ideas on making the gear teeth around the circumference I would be greatful for any information you could pass along!
"dhellew2" has covered both points and I can add a bit to what he has suggested.
On machining two sides, you might want to download the tutorials for Cut3D. Cut3D can machine on two or four sides and there is a section of its manual dedicated to how to deal with holding and locating the workpiece. If you are not happy at flipping work parts accurately, you might consider cutting two half depth sides and glue them together after cutting. Do the two sides in one CAD file using "MIRROR" to copy details from one side to the other, then cut both sides at the same time with the same settings.
If you only want representational gear teeth, then what "dhellew2" suggests will do fine. But if you want to actually use the gear teeth to operate the model then you might want proper tooth forms and you might want to look at a program like Gearotic to do that
http://www.gearotic.com/....or maybe this is getting in a bit too deep.
Jim.