rough clearing

[mfchief]

Hi all,

I need a little help with a small project I'm working on. As you can see from the .f3d file, I want to machine a tool holder for a quick change lathe toolpost.  My problem is, I would like to rough out most of the material in the dovetail slot with a flat endmill prior to using a dovetail cutter for the actual dovetail part of the slot.  I'm can't seem to find a toolpath that will allow me to do that without cutting into the "overhanging" part of the dovetail, at least in the simulation.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Terry

[HughesTooling · Accepted solution]

Have you tried 3d ops, 3d adaptive does it OK.

Setup like this on the geometry tab.

Gives a toolpath like this.

File attached.

Mark

Edit I haven't set feeds or speeds in the file.

[mfchief]

Thankyou very much for your reply.  And your example with 3D adaptive works perfectly.  I had tried it but when I ran the simulation, I guess I chose a poor viewing angle, it looked like it was cutting in too far, but it was actually the lead in and lead out I was looking at. Once I looked at the cut from above it was obvious.

Thank you again, for taking the time to help me.

Regards

Terry