Create T-Slot Cutter

[rsreed]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is a bug within the tool creation module or something I'm just not getting, but when I try to create a custom t-slot cutter everything goes correctly as long as I don't try to edit the "shaft" tab settings.

ie: If the neck of the cutter was the same diameter as the shaft, the cutter displays somewhat properly. (fist screen shot) But on a cutter that has a .35" neck diameter and a .5" shaft diameter, if I use the "shaft diameter" setting in the "cutter" tab and set it to .35" and then try to set the "upper diameter" setting in the "shaft" tab, the display of the cutter increases the neck diameter. (shown in the 3rd & 4th screen shots). And, once I add a setting to the "shaft tab", it doesn't matter what number is entered into the "shaft diameter" on the "cutter" tab. I can enter 8" or .01" but the display doesn't change. So the simulation won't be accurate around the shaft.

Normally for a t-slot operation this shouldn't cause issue, since you would cut a groove first using a straight mill and then cut the t-slot. So as long as the "neck" of the t-slot cutter is long enough it wouldn't collide with the groove. This only really matters when the tolerances are tight (deeper t-slot) as I don't want to collide with the stock when cutting the slot.

[masa.minohara]

Hi @rsreed,

I think this is a bug and have reported this to the development team. (the ticket ID is CAM-9339 just for your reference) The team will investigate the issue further and I'll post an update and as soon as I have one.

Thank you for reporting the issue!

[rsreed]

Thank you for the reply.

[Anonymous]

I'm having the same issue. I'm trying to use a Keo Keyseat Cutter to cut a radial 2mm snap ring groove. I can't for the life of me figure out how to edit my tool so that Fusion displays it properly. The software gives a dimension for Shoulder Length, but no Shoulder Diameter. I've wrestled with adding shaft measurements on the Shaft tab for several hours now with no luck. See attached.

My tool is a 5/16 x 2mm x 1/4 Keyseat Cutter. Part ID: 61090

https://www.keocutters.com/product/61090/

[rsreed]

Yes, very much like I'm trying to do. The only difference being that I'm setting up a 2-wing wood router slot cutter instead of a multi-tooth metal cutting bit. Same profile otherwise.

My workaround is to not use the "shaft tab" settings at all but use the "shaft Diameter" setting in the "cutter tab" to set the shoulder diameter. That at least gives you a fairly accurate preview of the cutter tip and shoulder that works in simulations. If the tolerances are tight however, you'll have to manually measure the length of the shoulder before it tapers out to the shaft diameter and compare that to where your selected contours are in relation to your material top.

[rsreed]

Ya know, I just thought of another workaround that I tried just now and it seems to work. But any time you use duct tape to fix a problem there are always issues.

What I did was add 2 more segments to the bottom of my holder (copy). One segment represents the cutter shaft diameter and the other the taper down to the shoulder diameter. Then I saved that with a unique name (appended with "t-slot"). I also had to edit my cutter length to take into account the length of the 2 segments I added to the custom holder, and then re-select my holder (copy) that I just edited.

I've attached a .jpg of my franken-combo but it isn't totally accurate since I'm not where I can measure my cutter.

[Anonymous]

Making the entire shank the size of the neck diameter will have to work for now. My tolerances aren't that close so this should work for me until Fusion updates their software.

[j.masonEEQMX]

Disappointing to see that this is still an issue with the most up-to-date version of Fusion360. I went to add a key slot cutter with a shank .375" length, diameter of .5" at the top and tapers down to .12" where the flutes start and there is no work around that I trust to get this thing working. Cutter diameter is .375" (smaller than the upper shank diameter).  I guess I have to buy a new cutter and some more holders in smaller sizes. Would have been nice to just be able to use this tool. 

[AlexanderYates]

13th November 2021 and this bug still hasn't been fixed.... just wasted 30mins of my time thinking that i'm doing something stupid.... 

[j.masonEEQMX]

It's quite annoying, but I did manage to get mine working in the mill, just not at all practical on the CAM side of things as far as Fusion360 is concerned. 

[seth.madore]

@AlexanderYates @j.masonEEQMX 

So we can better understand, what exactly is the issue with t-slot cutters and Fusion?

[chris.r.schroeder]

I think I understand the OPs problem and am about to tackle it myself.  The side profile of a standard keyseat style cutter (aka t-slot cutter) looks like the attached photo with the characteristic concave radius tapered "neck" which then meats up with the shank.  It takes care to not run the neck into the work when cutting deep or "low" slots in a vertical edge.  If the tool profile is correct in Fusion then we can check for and avoid tool collisions.

Perhaps a tool with this form already has been created somewhere or the process to create it are the solution to ensuring that full cutting capability without collisions can be reached and verified.

Are we just missing the right tool library or not finding it?

[j.masonEEQMX]

This correct. I've been too busy at the momement to spend time trying to explain this problem in detail, but what I can say, is that the problem still exists and I have yet to find a "real solution". Just been living with the lack of the correct tool in fusion360 for a long time now. 

[chris.r.schroeder]

If I modify the custom "Form Cutter I can get reasonbly close by interpolating the "neck" with a number of shank steps. like this:

However If I try this for "slot mill" modification (input form) basically breaks the tool geometry in Fusion as far as I can tell and looks like this after giving an error.

[chris.r.schroeder]

Ok I have found a solution although I would still say there is a bug in the definition of "shoulder length" for this tool and a solution is to just set it equal to the cutter length and then define the "neck" profile using the tab for the "shaft".  I used a multi segment definition as these keyset tools commonly have a radius neck for strength and rigidity.

Like this:

Then define the profile like this:

I still have to test it in CAM but It looks like it will work just fine.

[chris.r.schroeder]

see attached for single tool library with my approximation of the McMaster Carr Keyseat cutter in it.

[a.reissig]

Hi Chris,

i got the same problem as you.

I think you are right, there is a BUG in the Tool Editor for T-Slot Cutters.

Alexander