Don't want to manually select every single small grid block for vacuum table.

[Anonymous]

I have attached my screenshots and a file of the design I am trying to work with. It is a pattern system that will be a vacuum grid for the CNC. 

I tried to design it so that I could cut it with simple cuts:

1.) 1/4" uncut between each small block of the grid system

2.) 60deg V bit for chamfered edges 

3.) 1/2 ball nose bit for inside spherical cuts 

I'm not sure what I need to change on the design side or the manufacturing side to make it so that it can be cut with simple straight tool paths instead of manually selecting every small block.

[johnswetz1982]

Create the toolpaths for just one square then put that into a Rectangular pattern.

[engineguy]

@Anonymous 

Have you tried drawing a few Sketch Lines in Design and using those for selecting to generate your toolpaths ??

Is this something like what you are trying to do ??

Rough example file attached, you can play around with it and fine tune to suit, maybe get some ideas.

Screencast here https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/0e6b6b17-9675-41d2-b630-4a9fa76f247e

[Anonymous]

Yes! That looks like what I was hoping to be able to create. 

If I'm understanding correctly, it's essentially the same process as the other post (using patterns in manufacturing), but I can use lines instead of the block? Correct?

Is there a chance you could screencast an example of you going from the Design/Sketch all the way through to manufacturing and patterning that line(s)? Trying to get my head around what exactly the workflow looks like. 

Thanks either way! Really appreciate all the help. These forums are great for learning. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the reply. I tried what you suggested. I didn't even know that I could do something like that in the manufacturing side.

Learning as I go so appreciate the ideas/help. If I don't use it now I'm sure I will in the future.