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JOKM_Creative
869 Views, 3 Replies

Remove Tabs with Subsequent Toolpath

I regularly use tabs to hold small parts when cutting on my CNC router. Once the program is done, I will usually cut all the tabs with a sharp chisel (I'm cutting plywood), freeing the parts. 

 

I thought I would try creating a tool path that would cut out the tabs. I realize one way to do this would be to duplicate or create a new 2D contour - maybe with a positive Stock to Leave value - and go around the entire part. This WOULD cut all the tabs, freeing the part. But there is the risk of the part moving and the tool could then collide with the part, ruining it.

 

What I thought I would do is create a 2D Contour, using a 0.375" tool, with tabs. THEN, duplicate that toolpath, change the tool to a 0.125" tool, set the stock to leave at .125" (this would run the tool down the centre of the 0.375" kerf), turn the tabs off, and enable REST machining (previous tool 0.375"). Assuming there aren't any inner radii smaller than 0.375", I was hoping the tool might just go around a remove the tabs. I guess because the tabs aren't part of the model, it won't recognize that they need to be removed.

 

With that groundwork laid, my questions is: Is there a clever way to cut those tabs (they don't have to be totally removed)?

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  • CAM
seth.madore
in reply to: JOKM_Creative

Sadly, no. They aren't geometry that is created that allows us to create secondary operations. For that to work in a manner that is somewhat decent, you'd actually need to model up the tabs.

 

Oh, and moving this thread to the MFG Forum where it belongs :winking_face:


Seth Madore
Customer Advocacy Manager - Manufacturing
JOKM_Creative
in reply to: seth.madore

Thanks @seth.madore ! That's sort of what I thought. The cabinet software I use - Mozaik - does this when there are tabs and I was hoping to do something similar. 

 

I ended up running a .125" tool around the perimeter of the parts today and they stayed put. Because the cutting edge is only .5" and the material is 0.625", I was thinking the shank of the tool might just bump the edge of the part before it damaged it. This happened with one cut-off scrap with no catastrophic effects!

 

Thanks for moving the post. I did try and find the MFG forum, but I think I was looking for 'CAM' and just glossed right over 'Manufacture'!

 

 

Z-K-O
in reply to: JOKM_Creative

I figured out how to get it to work, based on the following very bare thread:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-manufacture/insert-tabs-and-cut-them-away-in-next-op/td-p/...

Posting it here to save others all the screwing around.

 

Once you've made your 2D Contour with tabs, make a 3D Contour with:

- Rest Machining on, and a very high Ignore Cusps value. I used about 0.04".

- No lead in/out.

- A short ramp or a plunge entry.

 

This should save you the headache getting to the point of functional,  where you can make your own tweaks from there.