Profile tool path problem

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tjimholte
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Joined: Wed May 31, 2017 10:07 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Axiom Pro 6+

Profile tool path problem

Post by tjimholte »

Hello everyone,

I am making spoil boards like on the axiom for my shark. My piece size is 16"H by 24"W. I drew a rectangle 2.625 W x 13H. I copied it 8 wide with a gap of .25 inches. When I run a profile tool path using a 1/4" EM it tells me my parts are not far enough apart and creates the tool path in the attached file. Has anyone had a similar experience? I'll try increasing the gap to something more than 1/4 inch but I was trying to reduce runtime.

Thanks for any feed back.

TJ
Attachments
Profile Problem.png

tjimholte
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed May 31, 2017 10:07 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Axiom Pro 6+

Re: Profile tool path problem

Post by tjimholte »

just a note, if I add 1/32" to the gap it makes the tool path just fine but as I said I was trying to save time and can't understand why I need to leave a gap wider than my tool width.

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Rcnewcomb
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Re: Profile tool path problem

Post by Rcnewcomb »

can't understand why I need to leave a gap wider than my tool width
Think of driving an 8 foot wide car into a garage that was exactly 8 feet wide. You wouldn't be able to do it, but if the car was an inch narrower, or the garage an inch wider then there would be enough room (if you were very, very careful).

Computers track numbers, including fractions, using ones and zeros. It has to do with rounding.

The standard workaround for your situation is to either make the slot 0.01" wider, or tell the software that the bit diameter is 0.249" instead of 0.25"
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

tjimholte
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed May 31, 2017 10:07 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Axiom Pro 6+

Re: Profile tool path problem

Post by tjimholte »

thanks Randall,

I guess that make some sense. I have run into rounding errors in ERP systems that can be frustrating but once you learn to live with them, all is well.

Like your 10 fingers line... My grandfather was a finish carpenter and cabinet maker with only 9.5 fingers...

joeporter
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Re: Profile tool path problem

Post by joeporter »

I think of Randall's line often and take it seriously and so far, so good...joe

ger21
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Re: Profile tool path problem

Post by ger21 »

Another option is to use one large rectangular vector, and multiple single line vectors to split the large rectangle up. Cut ON the single line vectors.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

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