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Unlike 2.5 Dimensional parts, 3D parts require multiple tool paths!
Unlike 2.5 Dimensional parts, 3D parts require multiple tool paths!
Roughing Toolpath(s): Remove all excess material one level at a time leaving a machining allowance to be removed in finishing Tool Path.
Finishing Toolpath: remove the machining allowance creating a smooth 3 Dimensional part.
Creating Toolpaths in vcarve
Creating Toolpaths in vcarve
1. Left Click on the Toolpath Icon
1. Left Click on the Toolpath Icon
Located in the Upper Right Corner of the Window
2. Left Click on the Material Set Up Tab
2. Left Click on the Material Set Up Tab
3. Material Set Up
3. Material Set Up
Verify material thickness is correct
No other changes are required
4. Left Click on "OK"
4. Left Click on "OK"
Roughing Tool Path
Roughing Tool Path
Roughing removes excess material so finishing can focus on creating complex 3D contours
Excess material remaining after roughing can cause the cutter to break.
From the Tool Path menu, Left Click on the "Roughing Icon"
5. Left Click on the Select Button to Select a Tool
5. Left Click on the Select Button to Select a Tool
A different tool is used for roughing than for finishing.
Use the largest tool based on your model to efficiently remove material.
You may need to perform multiple roughing operations to most efficiently create a part
Use Imperial Tools Only
End Mills should be used fro roughing operations or 2.5D parts. They have a flat bottom.
Ball Nose Mills are for finishing only.
Generally you should not have to change any other settings.
(Note: Out of all the options, the roughing will use the "End Mill (0.25inch)".)
Click OK when complete
6. Left Click on the desired Machining Limit Boundary
6. Left Click on the desired Machining Limit Boundary
Model Boundary will just machine the are of your part without touching excess material outside its boundaries (Only the bird will be machined in the picture shown)
Material Boundary will machine anything necessary over the whole purple surface shown in the picture.
Selected vectors allow you to machine on select areas of the model (To be covered later)
7. Enter a Desired Machining Allowance
7. Enter a Desired Machining Allowance
Use Defaults whenever necessary
0.04 for a 1/4" cutter
0.02 for a 1/8" cutter
Use default for Roughing strategy through Vector Select unless you want to investigate further.
8. Create a Name for your Roughing Tool Path
8. Create a Name for your Roughing Tool Path
9. Left Click on Calculate
9. Left Click on Calculate
The program will develop your roughing tool path
VCarve displays the tool path as well as how the finished part will appear. To remove the tool path and just view the part:
Turn off "Animate Preview"
Left Click on "Preview Selected Tool Path"
10. Left Click on Close to Complete the Roughing Operation
10. Left Click on Close to Complete the Roughing Operation
The Toolpath Menu will appear
Finishing Tool Path
Finishing Tool Path
Finishing can focus on creating complex 3D contours Moving in the X, Y and Z directions at the same time.
It only passes a spot one time.
Excess material remaining after roughing can cause the cutter to break.
From the Tool Path menu, Left Click on the "Finishing Icon"
11. Left Click on the Select Button to Select a Tool
11. Left Click on the Select Button to Select a Tool
For finishing a 3D contour, select a ball nose cutter
The smaller the cutter the more precise the completed part will be
But time will be longer with a smaller cutter
12. Select Machining Boundary as Explained in Roughing
12. Select Machining Boundary as Explained in Roughing
13. Select a Name for Your finishing Operation
13. Select a Name for Your finishing Operation
14. Click Calculate
14. Click Calculate
15. Follow the same steps as Roughing to view the finished part
15. Follow the same steps as Roughing to view the finished part
16. Click "Close" on the Preview Window to return to the Toolpath Window
16. Click "Close" on the Preview Window to return to the Toolpath Window
17. Click the Save Tool Path Icon to save your roughing and Finishing tool paths.
17. Click the Save Tool Path Icon to save your roughing and Finishing tool paths.
If different cutters are used for each operation, the tool paths must be saved separately.
18. Click the box next to the name of one of your machining operations and Left Click on "Save Toolpath(s)"
18. Click the box next to the name of one of your machining operations and Left Click on "Save Toolpath(s)"
19. Repeat the steps to save all other machining operations, one at a time,
19. Repeat the steps to save all other machining operations, one at a time,
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