Multiple depth 2d contour issue

[jrTBEJE]

I have a tool path to cut a guitar neck 2d contour profile to 1" depth. If i take a single pass it works (i have a warning i can't figure out). If i set to take multiple passes, it takes 2 passes and stops. There are no "red" collisions indicated when i simulate the tool path.

screencast 

https://autode.sk/2VivJDm

Somehow i am stumped on this one. 

[engineguy]

@jrTBEJE 

Much better if you can upload the problem file, otherwise it is just guessing !!

The error message is saying that there is an issue with your Lead in/out so you need to look at how you are approaching the stock, by that I mean what direction and where have you set a Start point (if any).

Try approaching the pass straight on, usually 0 degrees.

[jrTBEJE]

I think i used defaults for lead in/out which is 90'. Have build the whole guitar body and never run into this and use multiple depths all the time.

Here is the model attached.

[engineguy]

@jrTBEJE 

Please just send the .f3d file, the file you uploaded has links to items that are not part of the file, so I am not able to open it.

Go to:-

File > Export > Select Fusion Archive f3d format > Save to a location on your computer > Then attach to your reply

[jrTBEJE]

Hmm. That option doesn't seem to come up. Maybe i need to break the link to the external file ( a truss rod)....?

see screenshot...

[jrTBEJE]

i broke the link to truss rod and then the .f3d option came up.

[engineguy]

@jrTBEJE 

The big issue is with your Model, the area you want to Contour is made up of 3 pieces and they are not correctly aligned, I have done some work on it for you to get the Contour to work correctly but you do need to take a long hard look at all the parts of your Model and get everything properly aligned, I had to cut away the small area closest to the neck and replace it with a new piece, I didn`t extend the slot underneath, thought I would leave that to you  🙂 🙂 🙂

Anyway, have a look at the image below, is it something close to what you want ? Multiple depths with Tabs ?

Slightly modified file attached, try to do a similar modification to your own copy if you can !! There are no errors with the Contour Toolpath in this example !!

[jrTBEJE]

Thanks very much. I will take a look at what you've done and try to fix that piece of the model.

I just figured if it could do the contour in one pass but not eight, that it couldn't be the sketch or model parts. I do remember having a bit of a time at the top of the neck near the headstock to extend a piece under the guitar nut where the taper actually stops and it is straight for 3/16". 

[engineguy · Accepted solution]

@jrTBEJE 

That short length at the neck end was 0.003in out of alignment and the sketch didn`t cover the whole part, what I did for quickness was to remove that short part, replace it with a new block and then join the three parts into one and it works fine as far as I can tell.

It is often a good idea when you are trying to use individual blocks to join them into one block in Design and making it a single "stand alone" block for toolpathing later in Manufacture, it saves all the hassle that you have been experiencing 🙂 🙂 🙂

[jrTBEJE]

Thanks so much. I may fix the sketch to include that part. Ill try and see what you did. I think i understand it from your great description, and the new file you sent cuts properly.....it always boils down to the sketches and design work 😉 !

[engineguy]

@jrTBEJE 

Yes, you are correct, thinking about the Manufacture/Machining of the parts during the Design can save lots of headaches later for sure.

Glad you are getting closer, looks like a nice project 🙂 🙂

[jrTBEJE]

This is bang on the issue. I was also able to fix it be selecting all the faces of the misaligned piece at end of neck and shifting by .03 left and .03 up. Then regenerate tool path and the error went away and it cut to full depth in 8 steps as planned.

Even zooming in this was hare to see the misalignment. When i created that little end, I must have misaligned it when i put it in place.

Thanks so much.

[jrTBEJE]

Fusion never ceases to amaze me. It does exactly what you tell it to!

[jrTBEJE]

I am now working on slotting and radiating the fretboard. 

I have a 2d slot operation defined for one fret. I somehow hit on how to select a slot like this by accident and it does one slot. What is the proper way to select it again like I did? How can i get it to detect all 22 slots and just do them. I find that I lose the selection and there are 3 x 22 selections to get them all. I don't even know how i got this one slot chain defined properly. Why doesn't pocket work? because the sides of the fret slot are open?

Sometimes i feel so dumb with fusion. you have to zoom in on this so much and sometimes my trackpad doesn't want to zoom fast enough.

[jrTBEJE]

I ended up using 2d contour as i was able to replicate it. I would think slot would have been easier because my tool width is identical to slot width. But i have no "end walls" on my slot and couldn't get selection to work.

After a bunch of fiddling i got selection to work with 2d contour. I did a separate operation for each fret so i didn't have to hold a selection forever.

Not sure if this is the best way to do them....

[engineguy]

@jrTBEJE 

Just something for you to try, 2D Trace, it does mean holding the "Alt" key down while selecting edges but IMHO it is a good alternative if you are stuck with an open slot and you are using the same size tool as the slot, see attached file for an example of doing the fret slots. 🙂 🙂 🙂

[jrTBEJE]

Thank you. I will try this out...

[jrTBEJE]

Cool. I looked at your tool path using trace. I don't understand how the tool path is in the middle of the fret slot when you have selected the top edge as a trace? When i tried to use 2d trace on my truss rod channel, it set the middle of the bit on my trace and i couldn't figure out how to offset it. I used "stock to leave" to try and make the bit path down the middle but it didn't do anything and stayed on the centre of the trace, which makes my channel twice as wide. I think ill make a centre line in the sketch and trace that as a workaround or maybe if i use a bit smaller than the channel ill be able to use pocket?

Also for the depth of the slot, you are using axial offset from the trace to determine this? (.11)?

When i did the guitar body, it was very easy to select 2d pocket for the neck pocket and pickup routes. you just clicked the bottom of the pocket and boom it knew and selected the walls and everything. This doesn't seem to work for the truss rod or the fret slots. Maybe it is because the bit is the same size as the pocket - I am thinking - and it just ends up with empty tool paths. 

I've been at fusion for about 1.5 years part time and i'm just starting to figure things out. It's a steep learning curve. I am a software engineer by education, but not a mechanical engineer. I can't believe how awesome this tool is. Some of the basics like selecting thing stump me 🙂 Thankful for this forum.

[engineguy · Accepted solution]

@jrTBEJE 

Regarding the use of the Trace, agreed, it is not quite as easy to set depths etc, however, it is just another tool that can be used if need be.

The Trace toolpath defaults to run the tool along the line selected, but under the Passes tab you are able to set it to run either on the Left or Right of the selected lines, it will move the toolpath over in whatever selection you choose by the Radius of the tool and in your Fret cutting situation you have a 0.023in tool cutting a 0.023in slot so it will then be running in the centre of the slot. I have selected the Left for the sideways compensation and selected to show as clearly as I can how it works.

Hope that makes it a little clearer for you 🙂

[jrTBEJE]

awesome, I did no understand the left compensation! I will try that.....thanks so much