why won't the bit stay down while pocketing....

[Smokeys]

Perhaps its the drawing or I am tired or who knows,  but as you can see in the picture, the bit wants to retract way more often than it needs to.   Suggestion please on the best way to cut these pockets.

Help much appreciated.

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

You can get it to stay down a decent amount more by turning on "Keep Tool Down" and setting the value to something large, such as 20".

 

The downside is that it's going to insert linking moves that will traverse at "cutting speed", as it's run out of material to cut in some locations.

[Smokeys]

Thanks, that works well enough for me.  I tried stay down with a small value, but 20" does the trick.   Any idea why and if there is a better toolpath to use?

[seth.madore]

Flat (in the 3D Toolpaths) might do a better job, but no guarantees on that