Help cutting relief

[joefig]

Hi, new to this whole thing. I've been working on a relief but it just won't cut right.
I'm decently handy with ArtCam and I made a rose out of a photo (which I'll share with anyone who wants it). But when it comes to actually cutting it, I can't get it to work. It looks like the photo.


8147

I've been using a conical bit with a 0.04 diameter and am cutting in ash wood. I use ArtCam 9 and a PRT Alpha. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong?


8148

[paul_z]

Joe,

It looks like your step over is as large as the bit. Cut the step over to 10% of the bit diameter.

Paul Z

PS Step over is the distance between tool passes.

[joe]

Joe,

The preview looks good but does your toolpath simulation look OK? If that show a good image, then it seems there's a communination problem. In that case ArtCam has completed it's job and the problem is down stream.

[magic]

After looking at the photo.

Try .015 step over with a 1/8 ball bit, no multiple z passes, 1.25 inch sec feed, relief within boundary (not feature machining) and see if that works.

[magic]

Oh - Spiral strategy OR 35 degree Raster. Possibly slow down the ramp speed if the file is bigger then 5 inches.

For some reason the 35 degrees come out better then 45 or 50 and you don't need multiple passes in most woods

[myxpykalix]

I seem to recall from class that when you first start to make your model you need to set your resolution to the highest.

[mitch_prest]

how big is the rose overall... it almost looks like the bit is too large..

[magic]

It could be the resolution but I'm looking at three holes (lower right) where the bit pecked down, so the model is an ok size for a test piece. but the step over looks like it's 80 percent and possibly Joe didn't select the correct bit in the drop down menu. That has me thinking AND the samples thickness doesn't seem to be in line with the relief. AND if it was a strategy with feature machining with sharpen at bottom, that may also contribute to the issues.

Joe are you there?

[Brady Watson]

Put the conical bit aside & use an 1/8" ball end mill, as 'magic' suggests. Reduce your stepover value to 10% (.0125") and you'll be fine.

Magic - do you have a 1st name? The majority of users here go by their 1st name, so people can get to know one another...Unless your 1st name IS in fact 'magic'.

-B

[harryball]

Maybe his last name is Johnson and we are in the presence of greatness!

Joe, for higher detail you can even go less than 10%, takes longer but the cripsness increases. There is a point of diminished returns but you have to sneak up on it. You can even go with 12% to 15% on some work depending on what it is and how much sanding you can do based on material hardness. I guess my point is don't be afraid to nudge the numbers and see what happens.

/RB

[magic]

Yes 1/8 ball nose,
Where did he go? Hard to imagine that we're doing all this typing and he's on vacation.

I'm hiding from an ex and moving to Mexico if all else fails.
Magic... as in... I've disappeared.

[joefig]

Wow, I've never posted in this forum and I didn't expect such quick responses. Other forums, well, aren't like this one.
Since I got frustrated with the rose, I'd been working on other things. I'll try out some of the suggestions and get back to you all.
Seriously, thanks for your support. This is a really great community to be involved in.

[bleeth]

Hey Houdini:
Anyone can disappear-It's how you re-appear that counts!!!!

[carlosgmarroquin]

Could it be that this is a roughing toolpath for an end mill and you ran the program with the ball nose bit?

[magic]

I will appear from the trap door built by my Bot...But the question is... Did Joe cut that relief again?

[joefig]

Okay, finally. Cut the relief again. No luck. Same thing. But I only changed the stepover diameter (changing one variable at a time) like Paul suggested. I changed it to 7% percent. Still no luck. Tomorrow I'll try Magic's suggestions although you guys might have to explain a few things, but I'll be able to pursue this project with more vigor tomorrow. Thanks so much for the help.

[Brady Watson]

Joe,
If you email me the ArtCAM file, I will look at it...This isn't that hard.

-B

[joefig]

Okay, I got it. Thanks to guys, especially Magic and Brady. I'll post a picture of the finished product, when it's done. (It's for a guitar)