How to machines this door hinge slot (?)

[traditional.builds]

Hey guys,

So I have done this before as a test but now for the life of me I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong this time.

This is going to machine out a slot to fit a specific hinge model into the side of this door. We have a 5 axis CNC machine that we have just started to play around with and wanted to test this out.

Ideally, we would like to lay the doors FLAT on the CNC bed and machine the slots from the side (we could stand them up but for the sake of testing different methods we wanted to try machining these from the side - we will have to elevate the door stock so that the machine head has room to access the slots. This file is simply a test and does not have to include the elevation in the Setup).

I know that this is probably a simple mistake on my end, but does anybody have an idea of what I am doing wrong?

I selected the side of the door under Tool Orientation so that the tool can machine at a 90 degree angle. Then selected 2D Pocket (should I be using 3D pocket instead?). I have tried to tweak the settings but each time I am getting an error telling me that the toolpath is empty.

I seem to have eventually gotten the tool to operate (although like I said my settings are probably a little off) but it seems to be getting a collision error this time and can't figure out why. The Heights are accurate and the "collision" is not really hitting anything.

Just a bit confused.

Many thanks in advance for looking into this again for me,

Mike

[lee_sanders · Accepted solution]

Hi  @traditional.builds 

I've attached a file for you to review, I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for?

I hope this helps

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

You have a crash because tool flutes are shorter then depth of slots, also plunging in makes end mill act as drill and that would not be good idea, you need to ramp in.

Attached is little more detailed approach. 

[traditional.builds]

I will take a look at your file, thank you!

As for the collision/flute length, the flute length of my tool is 23mm and the depth of the first pocket is only 10mm, and the "collision" was happening before any contact. Any thoughts on that?

[traditional.builds]

Okay so last thing.

I opened your file and it works great. I attempted to re-create the same operation you set up on my own file so I could learn how it was done, and the settings are exactly identical (minus the pattern operations) and I am still getting a few collisions, even though we now have the same files. Yours works and mine doesn't. Am I still missing something?

I'll attach the new file.

Thanks again by the way.

[Anonymous]

My mistake, collision is actually result of you plunging into solid stock, making end mill act as drill, that never ends up good, although working with wood, you will not see same damage as if you tried that on metal.

[Anonymous]

Well, can't call it the same until it acts the same, there are some differences that you missed, probably in linking tab, heights or both. 

[traditional.builds]

I will have to learn this better I am still having a little bit of trouble. 

Thank you for helping me out on this one!

Mike

[Anonymous]

Flute length is causing crash in Fusion, shaft rubbing against wall of pocket  will create friction and burn the wood.

[traditional.builds]

Hmm, okay that's interesting. Obviously a problem, just out of curiosity how would you go about fixing this? I see that there is clearly the collision on mine and not yours but I can't find the discrepancy between our settings. 

[Anonymous]

I extended flute length in tool definition, that clears crash in simulation but to fix it in real time at the machine, you need tool with adequate flute length to do 2D contour which controls width of pocket by use of wear offset.

[traditional.builds]

Many thanks for answering all my questions!

Super helpful!

[traditional.builds]

Thank you for helping me out on this one!