Need help getting started with moulding toolpath

[blacksmithED]

I'm trying to create a bezel in VCarve 9 using the moulding toolpath. Very frustrating!
I've been trying for hours to create it without luck. I've viewed the video, but it's not helpful.

Here's what I'm using.

I have many questions I need answers to in order to know how to get this project started. Any help will be appreciated.

What does "without overlapping itself" mean??? If it goes around the circle, how could it possibly overlap itself unless the program made it go beyond the start position?

I'm looking for answers so I can make some logical adjustments.

Does the rotational position of the profile matter?

Does the distance in the 2D view between the rail and profile matter?

Can the length of the profile and the thickness of the material match?

What does the "gap above or below toolpath" affect? How do you determine what to set them at?

The bezel needs to be about 7 inches in diameter, and the width of it needs to be about 1/2 inch.

Thanks in advance,
Ed

[mezalick]

Ed,
To answer some of your questions...
First off, the design you have works for me,,,just as you drew it...I think.
If you attach the file we can look at want you have.

Does the rotational position of the profile matter? YES

Does the distance in the 2D view between the rail and profile matter? NO

Can the length of the profile and the thickness of the material match? If you are meaning the height of the profile matching the thickness of the material,,YES

What does the "gap above or below toolpath" affect? How do you determine what to set them at? That positions the " profile" within the material..some like to be exact and other like to leave some " meat" to the bottom of the profile

Michael

[RebeccaJ]

Hello Ed,

What does "without overlapping itself" mean??? If it goes around the circle, how could it possibly overlap itself unless the program made it go beyond the start position?

This is due to the fact that you have a span in your vector overlapping another span – you’ll need to go into node edit mode to remove it – you can use the vector validator to locate it if you can’t find it.

Does the distance in the 2D view between the rail and profile matter?

No this does not matter – all the software does is take the profile and drives it along the rail selected.

Can the length of the profile and the thickness of the material match?

The height of the profile can be equal to or less than the material thickness. It can’t be more (if it is then you either need to alter the material thickness to accommodate the height of your profile or reduce the height of your profile so that it fits into your material thickness).

What does the "gap above or below toolpath" affect? How do you determine what to set them at?

This is where you want to position the profile within your material block – if you set it so that it has 0 gap above that will mean that the highest part of your profile will be in line with the surface of your material.

The bezel needs to be about 7 inches in diameter, and the width of it needs to be about 1/2 inch.

You’ll need to create a circle that is 6 inches in diameter – and the profile needs to be 0.5” wide to create your 7 inch diameter.

I hope this helps!

[RebeccaJ]

What does "without overlapping itself" mean??? If it goes around the circle, how could it possibly overlap itself unless the program made it go beyond the start position?
This is due to the fact that you have a span in your vector overlapping another span – you’ll need to go into node edit mode to remove it – you can use the vector validator to locate it if you can’t find it.

This is your profile vector by the way!

[blacksmithED]

Thank you folks for the answers. Looks like I need to rotate the profile vector so the bottom parts are level and rotate it end for end. The screen shot I sent was the last of many experiments.
And, for some reason, I get the error about overlapping when I try to run the program as it is. I don't know why others can get past the error.

If I ever get this to work, I then need to cut out the inner and outer parts to leave the bezel. I can do that.
Then I need to cut an angle on the bottom for a curved glass to fit inside the bezel. I assume that it would be possible with 2-sided operation. If I can't do that, I could possible put a small hole in the center an put the part in the lathe to cut into the back.

Then... I need to cut out a part to match the bezel bottom to snap into it to keep the glass in.

Here's a diagram of what the original is like. I will need to redesign the bottom to allow the glass to be put in, then locked in with another piece. As it is, the glass would have to be built right into the part.

[joeporter]

Your molding profile has an undercut on it. Zoom in close and straighten out the reverse curve part of the profile and it should work for you...joe

[blacksmithED]

Thanks joeporter. I don't get the error message now.
Now I can proceed to work on the file.

[blacksmithED]

I modified the profile vector to simplify it and refine the shape. Now I get the error again about overlapping.
Here is the file. Can someone tell me what's wrong with it? Generated in VCarve Pro 9.012

Silvertone bezel_profile.crv

(22.5 KiB) Downloaded 86 times

[mezalick]

You need to delete the bottom horizontal vectors...

Michael

[blacksmithED]

Thanks Michael,
I just took a nap, and woke realizing that it needed to be open, but you beat me to it.
I need to machine the back later. Do you know if it can be done using the 2-side option?
Ed

[mezalick]

All things are possible for those who are courageous.

Hey, that could be my new slogan...LOL
~M

[blacksmithED]

Hmmm. How does one delete the bottom line to open it?

[blacksmithED]

Never mind. I got it.