Narrow slot challenges

[tom_marttila]

I need to make fret slots into a guitar fretboard. The slot width is 0.6 mm and the tool diameter is also 0.6 mm.

The Depth of cut is set to 0.25 mm and the Ramp type to Plunge.

2D Pocket produces a toolpath where the tool comes out of both ends of the open slot, but even if Both ways is selected in Passes, plunging down happens only at one end of the slot, so the tool travels back and forth at the same depth. This doubles the machining time.

Slot produces a toolpath where plunging happens at both ends of the slot, but the tool stays inside the slot boundaries, so this toolpath does not clear the ends of the open slot. For this to happen the tool would need to move further, come out of the ends of the slot.

How could I:

- Make 2D Pocket plunge down at both ends and so machine both ways, cutting the machining time to half?

- Make Slot move the tool further, out of the ends of the open slot, so that the slot will be opened up all the way from end to end?

[Marco.Takx]

Hi @tom_marttila,

Can you please share your file?
Without seeing it, it is hard to help you with your problem.
Within Fusion 360, choose File > Export and save it on your desktop.
After that upload it to this topic so that one of us can take a look at it.

If my post answers your question Please use Accept as Solution & Kudos This helps everyone find answers more quickly!

[g-andresen]

Hi,

simply use the Trace tool with a negative offset (depth) of 0.25mm

günther

[tom_marttila]

Attached is the exported file. 2D Pocket is used for the longest and Slot for the shortest of the narrow slots.

[Marco.Takx]

Hi @tom_marttila ,

I think you are looking into this.

I have add it in one groove with a 2D Contour.

On the passes tab I activate Both Ways and on the Linking tab I activated Ramp with the max depth of 0.25 mm.

And turn OFF Lead-In and Lead-out.
It's even possible to extend the selected line on the geometry tab

If my post answers your question Please use Accept as Solution & Kudos This helps everyone find answers more quickly!

[tom_marttila]

Your 2D Contour takes 10:59 vs my 2D Pocket's 4:41 - even when my 2D Pocket goes back and forth for nothing.

I would still like to learn how to eliminate the useless return run from the 2D Pocket. Why selecting or unselecting Both ways does not make any difference, the toolpath and the time remain the same?

[seth.madore]

For Frets, I prefer the Trace toolpath and Multiple Depths (half the cycle time as well):

 

I've attached the file for your review

[tom_marttila]

This looks good. How did you manage to move the trace line to the center of the slot and extend it? I tried on my own and selecting a side line of the groove, as you did, resulted in the tool moving along this line, not along the centerline of the slot, and without any extension.

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

For the left/right/center, it's just a matter of selecting which side (on the Passes tab). For the extension, I just selected all the contours, clicked the "gear" icon and adjusted all of them .4mm