Using a smaller cleanup endmill to clean up a vcarved sign. I posted this video about a year ago. I get asked how to do this once in a while...
VCarve Cleanup Pass
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VCarve Cleanup Pass
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
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- Vectric Apprentice
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Re: VCarve Cleanup Pass
I forgot to mention that I show how to use a the smaller diameter end mill to quickly clean out only those tight spots where the larger diameter clearance tool can't reach. No need to spend hours re-milling the entire area just to get those small areas.
Here's another video that shows how/why it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZa3y8NSmS0
Here's another video that shows how/why it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZa3y8NSmS0
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
- FixitMike
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Re: VCarve Cleanup Pass
Very ingenious way to clean up the areas the first tool misses. I like it.
However, it appears to me that the second tool must be exactly half the diameter of the first tool using your method. If it is smaller than that, there will be (small) areas that are not cleaned up.
A variation on the method, if one wants to use a smaller second tool, is to use an offset equal to half of the first tool, and then draw some diameters at the sharp points of the offset to see what is not cleaned up. Then use the scissors tool to make pockets for the smaller diameter clean up tool. It may be necessary to draw radii through the tangent point of the tool and part outlines. The scissors tool doesn't always pick up where those occur.
This method is obviously more time consuming than to draw than yours, but it could permit using a larger tool for the major cleanup and then a smaller one to finish, and thus save machine time.
However, it appears to me that the second tool must be exactly half the diameter of the first tool using your method. If it is smaller than that, there will be (small) areas that are not cleaned up.
A variation on the method, if one wants to use a smaller second tool, is to use an offset equal to half of the first tool, and then draw some diameters at the sharp points of the offset to see what is not cleaned up. Then use the scissors tool to make pockets for the smaller diameter clean up tool. It may be necessary to draw radii through the tangent point of the tool and part outlines. The scissors tool doesn't always pick up where those occur.
This method is obviously more time consuming than to draw than yours, but it could permit using a larger tool for the major cleanup and then a smaller one to finish, and thus save machine time.
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.
Experience comes from bad judgement.
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Re: VCarve Cleanup Pass
Hi Mike, you're right. I've also done them and added a third tool of a smaller diameter. I've also done something similar to what you're talking about.
Thanks and I'm glad you like it.
Did you download my little app? The location is in the description.
Thanks and I'm glad you like it.
Did you download my little app? The location is in the description.
Last edited by M Queen on Tue Aug 11, 2015 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
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- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:25 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: WinCNC Hybrid
- Location: Buckhannon, WV, USA
- Contact:
Re: VCarve Cleanup Pass
It's been a while since I watched the video and I can't remember if I did this in the video, but I started doing much larger stepover with the v-bit. Since I'm going to be cleaning it out anyway, why waste all that time?
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304