2D contour, compensation off with spot drill is bugged

[Fedor_Dolgachev]

Tried programming a 90 degree spot drill to do engraving with the 2D contour toolpath by setting compensation to off. This did not work, it instead offset the tool by the tool diameter. Had to replace the spot drill with a ball nose endmill of the correct size in Fusion to get it to work. Still ran the spot drill in real life.Resulting toolpath, offset from selected contour (left)Passes settingsspot drill chosen as tool type

[engineguy · Accepted solution]

@Fedor_Dolgachev 

Have you tried using the 2D Trace toolpath, it will accept a Spot Drill and has the option to run on the Center with no compensation, see image below acnd attached example file 🙂

[Fedor_Dolgachev]

Yes, that worked well.

Thank you for teaching about the trace toolpath I think I'll use it for engraving instead of 2D contour. Do you know if there is a way to area select text?

[engineguy]

@Fedor_Dolgachev 

What you are doing just following a line with a tool is not Engraving, it is actually Tracing, proper Engraving is where the tool rises up in the corners to create a sharp angled corner so to get the Trace to do those moves you will need to create the angled lines for the tool to follow.

Is there a need for area selection? You only need to click anywhere on the text to select all of that text ??

[Fedor_Dolgachev]

I always explode my text. I tried trace with unexploded text, you are right. No area select required, just don't explode the text and use trace.

You sir have completely change how I will do engraving of text.

I'm still annoyed that area select is not possible though. Sometimes I need to trace a fairly complicated dxf and I have to select every contour one at a time which is somewhat painful.

[engineguy]

@Fedor_Dolgachev 

For what it is worth the only advice I can give is to avoid if possible DXF files, they are notorious for causing problems as it depends a great deal on where they are produced with what software, I never use them for just those reasons, sometimes a DWG file is better but if at all possible try for a Solid, eg, .STEP, .IGES formats are usually best IMHO 🙂