Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

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4DThinker
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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by 4DThinker »

The fluting toolpath doesn't make a perfect arc when curving down then up along a vector. It also won't make a true flat bottomed cove section given the round bit used. Even if you model the cove section and cut it as a 3D model you won't have sharp inside corners.
An alternative idea for my slice strategy would be to bolt the slices together. Then they could be taken apart to clean out the coves when that inevitably needs doing. Embed hex nuts in the back side, then find an attractive bolt to run through from the front into the hex nut. McMaster.com has a wide selection of bolt types to choose from.
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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by dealguy11 »

If OP is wanting to cut into a nice slab of wood and not see a lot of glued joints and end grain, then either the two rail sweep or moulding toolpath would be my choices, adding clearing toolpaths to avoid stressing the carving bit.
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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by Wayne Locke »

I did not see Shark's post The Fluting toolpath should do what you want.
Screenshot 2024-12-04 at 10.48.03 AM.png

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by PawPrints »

4DThinker wrote:
Wed Dec 04, 2024 3:48 pm
Sometime such things are worth another approach.

Thanks. This was my fallback approach but I thought there was a way to challenge my 2 remaining brain cells for half a day.
I didn’t say it was the software’s fault. I said I was blaming the software.

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by 4DThinker »

dealguy11 wrote:
Wed Dec 04, 2024 5:44 pm
If OP is wanting to cut into a nice slab of wood and not see a lot of glued joints and end grain, then either the two rail sweep or moulding toolpath would be my choices, adding clearing toolpaths to avoid stressing the carving bit.
Knew that. Despite that, as I often had to tell my students, there is no clean way to do it that way that matches assembling it from slices. No glue is needed if it is bolted together. No matter the approach some end grain will be visible. Band saw or cross cut the thick slab apart, run the slices though a drum sander to smoother them off, then put them back together in order after profile cutting them to the rectangle or curved slices. Then the grain will still match fairly well across the pieces if that matters but will be interrupted by the coved sections on top no matter how it is done. You could even use thinner and/or alternative wood/slices for the sections between coves to achieve a tighter coaster row.
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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by adze_cnc »

Wayne Locke wrote:
Wed Dec 04, 2024 5:55 pm
The Fluting toolpath should do what you want.Screenshot 2024-12-04 at 10.48.03 AM.png
It should but it won't. Here's a comparison between fluting toolpath (the solid blue lines) and moulding toolpath (the accurate arc):
 
1 flute vs moulding.png
 
As well, you need to make allowances for the bit diameter to avoid overcutting the slot. The orange rectangle is the limit of the slot needed:
 
2 shortened flute lines.png
 
3 preview solid.png
 
Even the moulding toolpath needs adjustment. This shape is very difficult to create without a 3D model. Even with a 3D model the toolpaths are not straight-forward. If I were to do this as a 3D job I think I'd want three toolpaths:
  1. 3D Rouging
  2. 3D Finishing
  3. Pocket (0 depth with project to 3D) to clean up the vertical walls
The Pocket toolpath would need a cutter with at least a 1.5 inch cutting edge length.
Attachments
flute and moulding.crv
Flute vs Moulding sample file (VCarve v9.519)
(238 KiB) Downloaded 13 times

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by Wayne Locke »

The goal is to hold the coasters. If the slot does not fit like a glove or is mathmatically incorrect what difference does that make.

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by adze_cnc »

Then instead of faffing about with 3D models or fluting toolpaths or moulding toolpaths just use the orange rectangle in my file and use a pocket toolpath to create a 1.5 inch deep rectilinear void. Done, easy.

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by 4DThinker »

Doesn't matter much. The slot could be a simple linear slot the width of the coaster plus a bit. The ends of the slot are enough to rest the coaster on.
coaster slot.jpg

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by TReischl »

Things like this are why I have several 3D printers. . . . and, wait, there is more!!!! I can do them in colors!!!!
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by PawPrints »

TReischl wrote:
Wed Dec 04, 2024 8:31 pm
Things like this are why I have several 3D printers. . . . and, wait, there is more!!!! I can do them in colors!!!!
I just got one of those. Now I have to learn Shapr3D on top of Aspire. At 77, we’re talking about a STEEP learning curve.
I didn’t say it was the software’s fault. I said I was blaming the software.

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by 4DThinker »

I've got 3D printers too. Only thing they can't do is print what looks like wood grain. I use Aspire for most of the time to make models for the 3D printer. Exporting toolpath results as an STL file is a great feature. Doesn't even have to be a 3D component.

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by 4DThinker »

BTW, you CAN model perfectly flat curved slots doing them as slices. One profile outline of the slot area, and one of the area between slots. Modeled using a spaced out row of vectors along the centerline, and another spaced out row of vectors in the open gaps of the previous set.
Coaster model.jpg
Cutting it out cleanly is the difficult challenge. Simple to 3D print after exporting it though. My example would hold 6 of my 4" diameter stone coasters. Model is 3" wide, 1.5" tall at the center, and 4" long.
Coaster model.crv3d
(1.19 MiB) Downloaded 19 times
4D

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by PawPrints »

4DThinker wrote:
Wed Dec 04, 2024 10:05 pm
BTW, you CAN model perfectly flat curved slots doing them as slices. One profile outline of the slot area, and one of the area between slots. Modeled using a spaced out row of vectors along the centerline, and another spaced out row of vectors in the open gaps of the previous set.
Coaster model.jpg
Cutting it out cleanly is the difficult challenge. Simple to 3D print after exporting it though. My example would hold 6 of my 4" diameter stone coasters. Model is 3" wide, 1.5" tall at the center, and 4" long.
Coaster model.crv3d
4D
Looks good! 👍👍
I didn’t say it was the software’s fault. I said I was blaming the software.

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Re: Vertical "Z" Toolpaths

Post by PawPrints »

Thanks for all the inputs to my request for help. I haven’t been on the forum (or even in the shop that much) for a long time. A great bunch of folks with tons more experience than I. At 77 I probably will never make from “inexperienced” to even “novice” but I am having fun!

George
I didn’t say it was the software’s fault. I said I was blaming the software.

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