Create Form Tool in Tool Database

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Egarbe
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Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by Egarbe »

I am getting an error when trying to create a form tool for a keyhole bit.

I have created form tools in the past so I am familiar with just creating the vector for the right side of the tool.

I have a set of these bits so I have vectors for each size. I select one of the vectors and open the tool database to create the form tool and I get the error of not have a suitable vector selected. I am now on Aspire 11.

Attached are the screenshots of my vectors and the error I receive.
Attachments
2021-07-27.png
2021-07-27 (1).png

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martin54
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Re: Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by martin54 »

Don't think you can add keyhole bits to the tool date base, the vector shape creates an undercut & vectric software doesn't support undercuts

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adze_cnc
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Re: Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by adze_cnc »

Like what Martin said. Only solution: use a square-end cutter and accept that any preview will look wrong. Same thing goes for dovetail bits.

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Leo
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Re: Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by Leo »

No undercuts, no dovetails, no side slotting, no side drilling. :( :(

Sorry

Maybe Vectric will invent a solution to this issue some day. :) :)

------------------------

You CAN do Dovetail, Side Slotting and all the above - BUT - NO preview - and the graphics in Vectric will be wrong.

There is CAD/CAM software out there that WILL show that stuff in the view - BUT - you may not want to pay the price for it.

For many many years I have programmed Gcode manually and have created all these features with NO preview at all. Just Code and go Cut - CAREFULLY. I have also used the really expensive stuff - Nice.
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC

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gkas
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Re: Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by gkas »

The Keyhole Gadget works great. I use it all the time.
Dummy bit for keyhole gadget
Dummy bit for keyhole gadget
Keyhole Gadget
Keyhole Gadget

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dealguy11
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Re: Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by dealguy11 »

Vectric would have to completely change their internal data model to allow undercuts to be previewed. Since Vectric graphics are surface modeling (not full 3d solid modeling) -- essentially a height map of each point on a plane at a specific resolution -- the model keeps track of changes to the surface of the material. Each point can only go up or down. This works very well for organic shapes, as you only need to push/pull the surface to get very complex shapes. Anything under the surface is undefined. So, unless they completely change the way the program works, pretty much rewriting it from the bottom up, this is going to be how it works for awhile.
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Egarbe
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Re: Create Form Tool in Tool Database

Post by Egarbe »

Thank you all for your responses. It now makes sense on why I was unable to add these to my tools database.

Also, thank you for pointing out the keyhole gadget. Even after a couple years of using Vectric software I had never taken the time to explore the gadgets.

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