Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

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mikenbrenda
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Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by mikenbrenda »

Whats the best way to add a Key Hole bit to the tool database for Vcarve Pro?

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martin54
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by martin54 »

You can't actually add a keyhole bit. A keyhole bit has an under cut which the software won't allow. You would have to add it as something like an endmill at the larger diameer :lol: :lol:

mikenbrenda
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by mikenbrenda »

thanks Martin, that is what i thought i Read, I just got Vcarve Pro and was wondering how i use the Key hole Gadget, it seems a little confusing to me, it says i need to Select a Vector, I am just doing a keyhole on a back of a flag piece for instance, and I did double side job so I went to the back side, what do I want to put in as a vector, just a line, a circle? my internet is so slow in Wisconsin in the Country I can't call up a you tube video it takes like an hour lol..

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SteveNelson46
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by SteveNelson46 »

Keyholes need to have the same entry and exit points. You can manually create the keyhole path by drawing a vector the length of the keyhole slot and then continue the line back to the origin. Sort of folding the line back onto itself. Then create the toolpath with the keyhole bit. The preview cannot show the undercut so it will only show a slot. The keyhole gadget just makes it easier to visualize.
Steve

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FixitMike
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by FixitMike »

The vector(s) to be selected for the Keyhole Toolpath gadget need to be circles. The size doesn't matter, the gadget uses the center to determine where the tool will plunge into the material. It is all pretty well explained in the window that appears after you have selected a circle and the gadget.

Note that the toolpath preview does not show the actual keyhole cut.
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mikenbrenda
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by mikenbrenda »

Thanks that explains that, awesome any size circle work the best, 1 inch? Maybe

mikenbrenda
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by mikenbrenda »

SteveNelson46 wrote:Keyholes need to have the same entry and exit points. You can manually create the keyhole path by drawing a vector the length of the keyhole slot and then continue the line back to the origin. Sort of folding the line back onto itself. Then create the toolpath with the keyhole bit. The preview cannot show the undercut so it will only show a slot. The keyhole gadget just makes it easier to visualize.
I wanted to use the keyhole gadget in VCarve Pro so I think it does it for me I assume

Jan.vanderlinden
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by Jan.vanderlinden »

I don't know if this will help you or not, but this is the gcode that I use for keyhole slots.

M3
G17
G0Z.15000
G0X0.0000Y0.0000S12000M3
G0X0.0000Y0.0000Z0.2000
G1Z-0.300F5.0
G1Y0.1000F10.0
Y0.0000
Y0.2000
Y0.0000
Y0.3000
Y0.0000
Y0.4000
Y0.0000
Y0.5000
Y0.0000
G0Z0.2000
G0Z.25000
G0X0.0000Y0.0000
M30

Ollie
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Re: Adding Key Hole Bit to Carve Pro

Post by Ollie »

I saw a video on this the other day.

Found it https://www.cncnutz.com/2017/07/keyhole ... e-156.html

He actually has a script/ macro you can download. Not sure you even need to do it in vcarve at all just load it into mach3/ uccnc or whatever you have.

I have not tried it yet.

Ollie

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