Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Pocketing Question in Vector

Thanks for the detailed description. I had steps 1 through 4 figured out
and performed. It was Step 5, having the contour at Z=0 hat I didn't know
about.

Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
dan.statman@...

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Stevens" <jstevens@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Pocketing Question in Vector


> Dan,
>
> I just went through the same learning curve recently. Once you get it
> figured out, it'll put a smile on your face! Here are some tips that I
> discovered:
>
> 1 - Make sure that the outline is closed and a complete loop. This can
> easily be checked by selecting an arbitrary line within your outline and
> pressing "SHIFT-W" which "Walks" around the loop. If it doesn't make it
all
> the way around, see step 2.
>
> 2 - Select what you believe to be the complete outline. MAKE it the
> complete outline (now hightlighted red) by clicking on the little red
> diamond shape on the toolbar (TRIM, FILLET, CHAMFER) and select TRIM and
> make sure the box for "Close contour" is checked. Click OK and the chain
> will now be completely closed and connected - this is a quick way to close
> any open ends that look connected but are 0.000001" apart.
>
> 3 - The chain needs to have all the segments going in the same direction.
> This can be difficult to see if you have lots of small segments. The
> surefire way to MAKE them all the same direction is to click the same red
> diamond and select "REORGANISE". This directs all the segments to look in
> the same direction.
>
> 4 - I don't know if this applies to all applications, but in my case, I
> couldn't generate a pocket unless all of the segments were on the Z=0
plane.
> To make sure, check the Z value by double clicking one of the segments.
If
> they're not at Z=0, you'll need to move them all by the -Z value you just
> checked. This is done by selecting all the segements, cut and paste with
> the Z offset to move them to Z=0.
>
> 5 - Now that you have all the segments pointing the same direction,
closed,
> and at Z=0, you should be able to select the outline and chose Pocket.
Fill
> in the appropriate values and hit OK and you should have your toolpath.
> Since the complete toolpath is now selected, I like to change the
attributes
> by pressing "A" and moving the toolpath to it's own layer and give it a
> unique color so I can easily distinguish it on the screen.
>
> I've taken scanned hand drawn images into RasterFratz, traced it, exported
> as DXF into Vector, and followed the steps above to be able to take any
> shape and have the G-code for the pockets be automatically generated. It
> takes a second to perform, but many seconds to figure out. I hope I saved
> you a few.
>
> Let me know if that doesn't help. I could also generate the outline for
you
> if you'd like, but some people would rather learn how to fish than be
given
> the fish.
>
> James
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Statman" <dan.statman@...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 11:51 AM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Pocketing Question
>
>
> > I have a CAM question about Vector because that is the one I own, but I
> > guess it applies to any CAM software. I have drawn an outline form of a
> > horse using Vector (couldn't do that one mathematically). I have made
the
> > drawing a single closed chain that forms the outline of the horse shape.
> >
> > I will most likely just mill the outline with a tiny cutter and fill the
> > channel with black enamel for the pendant that I am making. The horse
> will
> > fit on a flat piece rought 15 mm square. I am going to do the outline
> > milling with a 0.015" ballnose cutter.
> >
> > My question is if I want to mill out the entire inside of the horse
shape,
> > how do I accomplish this. I would be using a 0.020" flat cutter for
this
> > process. I have selected the closed chain in Vector and then go to the
> > Draw-Other Curves- Pocket function. No matter what parameters I fill
the
> > dialog boxes in with, I get nothing. Is there some VooDoo magic trick I
> > need to know before Vector will pocket this shape.
> >
> > Initially, I believed that it was due to the size of my cutter not being
> > able to physically fit inside the shape. however, it does not matter
even
> > if I use a 0.002" diameter cutter.
> >
> > If anybody has Vector and knows how to do this, I can send you the file.
> I
> > can also save it as a DXF and the Dolphin camp can give it a try.
> >
> > Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
> > www.statmandesigns.com
> > dan.statman@...
> >
>
>
>
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