Tool path error

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zaxis
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Tool path error

Post by zaxis »

Using VCarve pro I was trying to pocket a rectangle 8.25x 7.25. It seems that no matter what I did I would always end up .125 too small each way. I finally just had to expand the pocket within the program by .0625 and use a profile cut to make the pocket the correct size. Has anyone had this happen before? I went back and redrew everything and recalculated the tool paths with the same result. My next job was OK again????

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IslaWW
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Re: Tool path error

Post by IslaWW »

Was the bit diameter the same as listed for the selected bit in the tools parameters?
Gary Campbell
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martin54
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Re: Tool path error

Post by martin54 »

What was the toolpath preview like ? Pretty sure if others were having the same issue then the forum would be full of posts about pockets cutting the wrong size :lol: :lol:

why did you have to expand the pocket size to run a profile cut ? Were you using the same bit you cut the pocket with ? Were you ising a large area clearing tool ?

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Adrian
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Re: Tool path error

Post by Adrian »

As Gary says check all the diameters in the toolpath. A common error is to have the description set to something like 'End Mill 0.25' but the actual too diameter is set 0.125". A quick glance leads you to think you have the correct tool but you don't. You need to check the Edit section in the toolpath before checking the tool database.

zaxis
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Re: Tool path error

Post by zaxis »

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had switched from .375 to .5 but I was very careful to recalculate the tool path. I think for some reason the .375 was stuck in the code. I finally started a new file and did a redo on everything and it was fine again. For whatever reason the bit size would not over write in the code until I started a new file??? :shock: :shock:

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IslaWW
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Re: Tool path error

Post by IslaWW »

You have to recalculate the toolpath with the new bit diameter and then save a new file, and hopefully overwrite the original.
Gary Campbell
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