Climb Mill On Vector

[kstrauss]

The climb/conventional toggle seems to be ignored when machining ON an open vector (direction is honoured when left or right of an open vector and also works ON a closed vector).

I want to use a V-bit to chamfer the edges of features. I have created an offset path for the V-bit and cut ON it. This works fine other than the direction. If I use Allowance offset to move the point of the V-bit off the edge of the project then Vcarve uses the diameter of the V-bit to generate the path rather than just offsetting the point by the requested amount.

The only way that appears to work is to use Node Edit to reverse the direction of the vector. Is there an easier way?

[tomgardiner]

When you think about it, if one side of a cut is climb cutting then the other side is conventional. That is why the option is nullified for cutting on the line. You do have the option however to change the direction of a cut on an open vector by changing the start point of the vector in node editing.

[kstrauss]

Of course but as I originally mentioned "I want to use a V-bit to chamfer the edges of features" so the tool is only cutting on one side. In my case climb versus conventional is meaningful.

[tomgardiner]

Sorry, guilty of skimming your post before responding. Nasty habit.
The only other way to do this I can think of is to profile outside and use an offset and start depth with a little math to achieve a chamfer. More work I think to achieve the club cut control. I'm not at my computer to test this.

[TReischl]

The climb/conventional toggle seems to be ignored when machining ON an open vector (direction is honoured when left or right of an open vector and also works ON a closed vector).

Does not appear to ignore it on my system???? I tell it to climb, it goes one direction, tell it to go conventional it goes the opposite direction. So it is not ignoring anything.

However, since it is on the line it has no way of determining which way is which so yes, you may need to switch the vector direction or just click the opposite to climb or conventional.

Think about it, YOU are telling the software it is ON the line, how is it supposed to know which way you want to go? Until you declare inside or outside it has no way of knowing. Computers are not that smart contrary to all the blather about "artificial intelligence" now available from a car dealer near you.

[Leo]

You can set the diameter in tool data to .002 in the tool path dialog box. Then select outside milling. This will allow the climb mill to work for you.

[TReischl]

You can set the diameter in tool data to .002 in the tool path dialog box. Then select outside milling. This will allow the climb mill to work for you.

I don't think that works for a v bit Leo. If you set it to a small value like you suggested then the maximum depth pass will be very small.

Example:

Then if you set it to a bit bigger, like .02 you get:

Notice that the maximum pass depth is controlled by the diameter of the tool.

[ger21]

Just reverse the direction of the vector.

[Leo]

You can set the diameter in tool data to .002 in the tool path dialog box. Then select outside milling. This will allow the climb mill to work for you.

I don't think that works for a v bit Leo. If you set it to a small value like you suggested then the maximum depth pass will be very small.

Yes it will work.

Sooooo - set the stepover to .001 - this is a profile cut - not a pocket.

If he is setting a depth of cut on a profile toolpath it will offset the tool by .002 from tool centerline. The offset isn't really going to matter because is is so small of an amount. The depth will take care of itself and cut the chamfer - albeit, offset by .002

Now if this was V-Carving - it would not work.

EDIT IN:

OK so just reread your post. Maybe then, create a different tool. I have not tried any of this but there must be a way.

I will play with it at lunchtime

There are several way to skin this cat. All of which end up with the same result.

[Leo]

OK - it works by using a straight end mill, You just cannot see a chamfer on the part

I will retract my earlier recommendation about changing the tool diameter

Normally, I offset the toolpath by a couple of thou, but don't pay attention to cutter direction.

[TReischl]

Thanks Leo.

Normally what I do is offset the vector by .010 (that is so I can see it easily).

Then I do a quick sketch in Corel showing the vbit with the point on the line like this:

And yes, you can make the same sketch in Aspire, I just find it faster in Corel. With a 45 degree chamfer it is really not necessary because the depth of the cut on the offset line is the size of the chamfer plus the offset. With other V bits that does not work.

I do it like that because I do not want the point of the bit running right on the edge of the workpiece, it tends to create a mess. If I have a big enough bit I will offset it even more.

The other thing I try to do is the typical router technique of doing the cross grain cuts first so that it minimizes splintering.

[rscrawford]

Just change the direction of the vector. A vector is just a line with a direction, so you can get the tool to start at the opposite end to cut the opposite direction.