What is the Software Relationship to the Cutter Head?

[jemelby]

Still asking exploratory questions here. Thanks for reading.

I wonder how far a cut file can be configured for a particular cutter head?

I'm talking about the basis software that ships with the SB. To fathom the a 3/8" straight bit would have to cut a wider path than a 1/4" bit is a no brainer. I will presume that the software can deal with that. What if I want to use a bullet-nose bit? Or a 25.71° v-bit? (don't ask. I picked up a dozen at the freud factory in North Italy a couple years ago. It's for making 7 sided cylinders. Really good quality bits.) Will the software be able to compensate and adjust the cut line accordingly for such an odd-ball bit? That's just one example. I guess what I'm really asking is "how flexible and adaptable is the software in regards to bit selection?"

This is mostly thinking out loud as my mind considers the potencial of a SB.

[richards]

PartWizard software ships with the Shopbot. That is the program that not only allows you to create a part drawing, but also defines how a cutter is configured. After the cutter is configured (diameter, depth of cut per pass, overlap when cutting wider than the cutter, etc.), you select one of the many tool pathing options to place the path of the cutter exactly where you want it in relationship to your drawing. For instance, on a profile cut, you can select options to do a cut inside the profile, outside the profile or right along the line of the profile.

In the case of bullet-nose or v-bits, the actual width of the cut will depend on the depth that you select for the cutter. That will probably require you to get out your calculator if you're making shallow cuts (less depth than the radius of the cutter - again depending on the cutter's configuration).