lead in distance - is it possible to modify?

[maker9876]

In the situation below the 18mm cutter has a much longer Lead-In distance than the 8mm cutter.

Problem is, the 18mm is a bit too close the vice, which means I'm going to have to use the 8mm.

Is there are way of adjusting the lead-in/lead-out distances - I tried changing the radius but it didn't make much difference?

(Same 2D adaptive toolpath in both cases)

[LibertyMachine · Accepted solution]

If you switch out to a 3D Adaptive you will be able to include your vise in the Setup as well as selecting it in the operation itself. It will then create a toolpath around your obstructions

Selecting the jaws in the setup (Fixture section) will allow collision detection and selecting jaws in the operation "Model" section will generate the code

[maker9876]

Thanks!

[LibertyMachine]

Quite welcome. If you get stuck, post back here and share you file if you can.

The other method (if bringing in jaws and selection of said jaws just sounds like too much work) is simple sketch boundaries. That's a quick and efficient method as well.

To share your file (or a sample file) File > Export > Save to local folder. Return to thread and attach the .f3d file in your reply.

[maker9876]

Vice created and very happy!

Have a question or two about strategy.

Working on components/parts from a multi-part file.

Created a second file labelled "vice".

Then created a third file into which important the "vice" component as well as Component_A from the multipart file.

Called that file "Milling Component_A".

Having created the toolpaths for Setup1 which is the top side of Component A, now want to flip it in the vice and create the toolpaths for the BOTTOM side of Component A.

Yikes! now it risks getting even messier.

Any recommendations as to a good strategy?

Do I create separate files for the "Milling Topside Component A" and "Milling Bottomside Component A" ?

Do I create 2 instances of Component A and 2 vices in a single file, in different orientations?

Any other suggestions?

I'd like to have a nice clean strategy so if the component itself is updated - or I break an endmill and have to reprogram a certain toolpath-type - I can keep track of what's going on.

[LibertyMachine]

What I would do:

Not really necessary to model (or bring in a model of) an entire vise. Lot of data on screen that really doesn't serve a purpose (unless you are doing some rather exotic setups and milling)

I would simply draw 2 sets of jaws. These can be sketches or actual Components. They would be arranged on each side of the part (top and bottom) and you would turn visibility off and on as needed. OP 1 and OP 2 would be contained in the same file. Not really necessary to break up the operations into many different files. Of course, if you have an extensive amount of operations and tooling going into each Setup, it may become confusing as all get-out. In which case, I end up occasionally going separate files

[maker9876]

Do I understand correctly: one file with one part and two sets of jaws?

One set of jaws positioned for the top operation/setup.

Second set of jaws positioned for the bottom operation/setup.

Toggle on/off the jaws that you need.

Is that it?

[LibertyMachine]

Yep! Just do yourself a favor: Label the bejeezus out of everything. OP 1 Jaws, OP 2 Jaws, OP1 Stock, etc etc

Models can share the same space. So if you even wanted to model out what the stock would look like after it's gone through OP1, you can do that as well

[maker9876]

"model out what stock looks like after Op1" ??

How does that work.....?

OMG so that's what create stock from "solid" is for in the Setup.

Awesome!

[LibertyMachine]

Yeah.....and no. Sort of. You can export the simulated result as an stl and then re-import it. Doing so it's...ok. Last I tried it came in at 25.4 times the size that I wanted.

Typically I just extrude the rough stock onto the part and call it a day

EDIT

Yes, Stock from Solid is used to select a solid model to represent your stock, rather than the user defined dimensions of "relative size" or fixed size

[maker9876]

 10-4

25.4 that's the inches<->mm thing.

[Trigg3r]

Multi setups and dealing with fixtures/vices etc was a subject I asked about recently.

You don't need two vices/sets of jaws etc. Just use joints to position your part, create a selection set if you need more than one. Then, when you want to change the setup, simply suppress the selection set/joints from OP1 and create a new joint/joints/selection set to suit OP2 ! That way, you have the bare minimum amount of components in your design and simply switch joints to change setups. 😄

I'll try and post a screencast later.

[maker9876]

That's a good point.

Most of the stuff I do is a part of a long sequence of prototyping, so I know I'm going to be doing the same piece again and again with ongoing refinements to CAD and CAM.

So not quite sure about adding an assembling / disassembling layer. But will study anything you post with interest! 

[Trigg3r]

@maker9876 Apologies for the wait, here's the screencast as promised.

There's lots of tutorials on joints and how to use them.

Hope that help's a little !

[maker9876]

Hey that's really neat!

Thanks a lot.

Didn't know this could be done with joints and can see lots of applications: like moving things in and out of welding jigs.

Nice vice.

Crying out for parallels. 😉