cannot clean simple trench properly

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am quite fresh to this app and from my thinking what I am trying to achieve must be simple as 2+2, but I am missing something.

As in picture, I have straight trenches of d=2mm (made by sweep + cut approach), I am applying ball-nose cutter of d=2mm with a 3D Addaptive Clearing function and am not getting desired result (single straight pass).

No matter how I try to apply parameters I am getting either no toolpath generated or get a million of "swirl" type cuts along desired cut line.

Anyone has an idea how to do this simple task right ?

A different cleaning strategy, or some other trick needed?

[zodiaceng]

2D Contour for those. 2D Adaptive will never cut a straight pass thru a slot, it will always swing around which is why its showing like it is.

You have a couple options here, either use your sketches (if they're on centerline of your slot) and turn your cutter compensation off so its cutting on center, or select the edge where your slot is intersecting the top face with compensation on (Left/Climb). You can control the direction of the pass by selecting either the left or the right side edge of the slot. Regardless of using a sketch or an edge of the geometry you can run axial roughing passes if you don't want to hog it all out in one shot. That will be in the Multiple Depths section in your Passes tab.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that worked well.

I am just wondering what is wrong with 3D cleaning in this case, conditions are perfect, but no solution..

I even tried reducing tool diameter to see if any results will be provided, but no...

Could it be weak 3D algorithm ? 

Calculations take a lot of time, but nothing powerful happens 😞

[zodiaceng · Accepted solution]

The 3D toolpaths are simply too complex and way overkill for something this simple. If it was a larger slot I'd suggest other approaches, but running a pass straight down the center has been the go to for stuff like this forever. If you're worried about surface finish you can take a pass one way on one side then the other way on the other. You'll most likely have to cut a couple thou big since the ball radius matches the slot radius but if your tolerance allows it will help with finish. A stubby tool though choked up on with good coolant to the cutting area will allow a great cut and finish even full depth in most materials.

Your code is going to be miles shorter as well.

[Anonymous]

Thanks,

The ball-indents turned out to have flat are at the bottom of them as well when using 3D adaptive clean.

Is that as well a normal case or I should play with parameters more ?

[LibertyMachine]

The best thing you could do, if possible:

Share your file so we can understand what parameters you are working with. Tell us a bit about this. Are you working in metal or wood. Tight tolerance/finish? What is the machine and control?

To share the file: File > Export > Save to local folder. Return to thread and attach the .f3d in your next reply.

If sharing the file is NOT an option, due to NDA or general mistrust of the concept; Perform a "Save As" and slice a whole bunch of stuff off of it and delete features or add them. You end up with a file that has the issue you are dealing with, but unrecognizable from the original

[Anonymous]

Hi,

No problem sharing it as that is a sandbox project.

I cut it in wood (pine, I hate it due softness) but the problem is not in wood or Mach3 used for control.

I see the downward spiral executing full circle at bottom, at least that what I think it is.

Also I did went for as max default values that I could.

.

[LibertyMachine]

The fact is, 2D or 3D Adaptive operations are meant purely as a roughing pass. They can be forced to behave like a finish pass, but that's not their intent. You would be better served by using a Ramp, Spiral, or Morphed Spiral operation to finish off the features.

[Anonymous]

So, having adaptive cleaning + rest machining with other method would be something you would do, or you would skip the adaptive cleaning at all ?

[LibertyMachine]

I would still use the adaptive, but open up the speeds and feeds, also go to a larger stepover. While you are working in pine, it's still good practice to have a rough and finish pass. The rough pass can be very coarse, leaving a small amount of material on walls and floors (.1-.15mm in metals)

[zodiaceng]

You're not going to be able to generate an adaptive toolpaths in a slot the same width of the tool without adding negative stock. Even in stainless and titanium slotting straight thru with a ball endmill is a pretty standard approach. Unless I was doing some really big channels I'd most likely never "rough" it out with a roughing pass just do multiple depth cuts with the ball with a smaller Z step for finishing. Even less necessary in wood.