Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

[PawPrints]

New to Aspire. Trying to make a holder for coasters that allows them to stand vertically in their individual or group 'slot'. I am trying to find a way to contour the depth of tool path to the sloop/shape of the outside edge (radius) of the coasters from surface to maybe 1" at the deepest point (determined by radius of the coaster). 2-rail sweep and flutes allows "smoothing" between points or multiple vertical profiles but the "sloop" or "smoothing" path that connects each profile is software determined. And 3-D shapes are limited to the type of profile that comes close to what you are carving and setting percentages to form a z-shape. Is there anyway to make a vector you design for the tool path to follow in the Z axis? Kind of like turning the toolpath for a half circle up on its end (vertically). A 'trick'?

P.S. If it wasn't obvious, I am talking about round coasters. I am thinking someone was going to tell me, "no problem", make the coasters square.

Thanks

[TReischl]

Model a half cylinder shape, then create a straight vector(s) for toolpath(s) and project them onto the 3D surface you created.

Notice I did not say cut the model, you are just using that to project the toolpaths onto.

[adze_cnc]

You might check this post for inspiration—and coffee paraphernalia..

[PawPrints]

Model a half cylinder shape, then create a straight vector(s) for toolpath(s) and project them onto the 3D surface you created.

Notice I did not say cut the model, you are just using that to project the toolpaths onto.

I said I was new to Aspire. Can you give me a little more info. The half cylinder created in a 2-rail sweep using 2 parallel vectors and a half circle for a profile, not carved..... I think I understand. But the "straight (open) vector" I don't get. Drawn across the length of the 2-rail sweep uncarved half cylinder? I understand the projection but I miss how you use an open, straight vector to carve and the desired radius depth cut. I am missing something.

[PawPrints]

You might check this post for inspiration—and coffee paraphernalia..

That is inspirational! But I still am uncertain how I create the carve from the description provided by TReischl.

[dealguy11]

I'm having difficulty understanding what you're trying to do and why a 2-rail sweep doesn't accomplish the task. It is possible (and fairly easy) to generate a 2-rail sweep that is an exact size and shape to hold a coaster, so I'm not understanding the problem you're trying to solve. What do you mean by "sloop"? What do you mean with your comments about smoothing?

Why won't something like the attached address the issue? I made this slot a full half circle, but you could certainly make it an arc and it would still work as well. I've done this in V11 but could be done in pretty much any release of Aspire. Note that this slot is 1/2" deep (to the limits of pixel resolution which are accurate to less than 1/1000 of an inch at this resolution) and a precise shape. Only one profile vector is used and it exactly defines the shape, so "smoothing" isn't an issue. If you carve this with a ballnose bit, you will get a fillet on the sides of the slot because of the bit geometry. You'll actually get it if you use an endmill, too. That's going to happen regardless because you're using a spinning bit to cut the material.

Per Ted's post, if you really want something that looks like a profile toolpath on edge diving into the material, then create a straight, open vector that goes directly down the middle of the 2-rail sweep along the long axis. The create a profile toolpath, setting depth of cut to zero (0), cutting on the vector, and clicking the option to project the toolpath onto 3d model. That will do what you want, although it won't clear away any material first, so hopefully your machine and bit are stout enough for that operation. Personally, I wouldn't do that even though I run a commercial machine.

You can accomplish this same result with a moulding toolpath or a fluting toolpath.

So what are you trying to achieve if not this?

[PawPrints]

Thanks for your willingness to help me. I am traveling tomorrow and won’t be able to look at your file until tomorrow night. Perhaps it will help me understand it.

The curve I am trying to cut is that which would be left behind if you pushed a 4” dia by .5” thick coaster into soft clay about 1.5” deep. With the 2-tail sweep I can create an approximation but not a replica of the coaster’s radius. It does not allow for you to draw the continuous shape of that radius. You use a series of profiles of different heights hung between the rails and the computer connects them but it doesn’t do that with a constant radius. Or at least I don’t know how to make the equivalent happen.

[dealguy11]

I think the file will answer your question. It sounds like your rails are going the wrong direction. They should be the the short lines in the ends of the slot, not the long lines on the sides. Then you just need a single curve for the profile.

[TReischl]

I think the file will answer your question. It sounds like your rails are going the wrong direction. They should be the the short lines in the ends of the slot, not the long lines on the sides. Then you just need a single curve for the profile.

Thanks for weighing in on this Steve. I have no idea what I was thinking last evening. Projecting onto a cove would get done in one pass. . . not good, not good at all. :::::SNAP!!!!!:::::: and another $15 down the drain. . . .

[PawPrints]

Thanks. It dawned on me this morning over a cup of coffee what you were describing yesterday.

I just want to know, if “snap” was in reference to a bit, were do you get $15 bits? My “snaps” are 3x that.

[TReischl]

Thanks. It dawned on me this morning over a cup of coffee what you were describing yesterday.

I just want to know, if “snap” was in reference to a bit, were do you get $15 bits? My “snaps” are 3x that.

Yup, snap was the bit becoming two pieces of worthless junk.

I am notorious around these parts for buying cheap chinese end mills of the HSS variety. Typically they are more like $1 to $3 apiece. I do a lot of pine and HSS is much sharper than premium carbide bits so it cuts pine much better. Also, I am a hobbyist. I am not paying people to change bits, so I could care less that carbide bits cost 3X as much as a HSS bit but last 3X times longer. Or maybe they last longer these days :::::shrug:::::: I find that by running cheap bits I am more likely to experiment, less stress, lower blood pressure, etc.

[4DThinker]

Sometime such things are worth another approach. You could assemble the base from slices profile cut. Full slice, cove slice, full slice, cove slice, etc.. Add a couple aligned holes on each slice to run a dowel or skewer through when assembling the stack. On the first and last slice only drill half way through so the dowels won't show. Example:

Coaster base.jpg

Coaster base slices.crv3d

A 5/16" thick resawn slice of wood. 4" x 12". Curve is a 3" wide section of a 4" diameter caster. Profile sides could vary for more assembled interest.

[SteveNelson46]

Like Steve (Dealguy11), I'm confused about the objective. A drawing or sketch would help. At this point 4DThinker's approach seems the best to me.

[PawPrints]

Thanks. It dawned on me this morning over a cup of coffee what you were describing yesterday.

I just want to know, if “snap” was in reference to a bit, were do you get $15 bits? My “snaps” are 3x that.

Yup, snap was the bit becoming two pieces of worthless junk.

I am notorious around these parts for buying cheap chinese end mills of the HSS variety. Typically they are more like $1 to $3 apiece. I do a lot of pine and HSS is much sharper than premium carbide bits so it cuts pine much better. Also, I am a hobbyist. I am not paying people to change bits, so I could care less that carbide bits cost 3X as much as a HSS bit but last 3X times longer. Or maybe they last longer these days :::::shrug:::::: I find that by running cheap bits I am more likely to experiment, less stress, lower blood pressure, etc.

I wonder than if my woodworking results would be less frustrating if I used Chinese tape measures and calipers. Actually, I just hope Chinese munitions are as poor a quality as that which we ascribe to everything else they make.

[sharkcutup]

I have been following this thread for a while -
+ 1 to 4DThinkers approach.

The only toolpath that I have used for Z axis affects is the fluting toolpath and if drawn and vectors chosen correctly the moulding toolpath.

Again I like 4DThinkers approach.

Sharkcutup