If I use a 1/8" end mill for both Rough and Finish toolpaths, can I (should I) save both toolpaths to 1 gcode file or should they be 2 files?
Would it run the Rough toolpath then continue into running the Finish toolpath?
Thank you in advance.
Yes, you can run them in the same gcode. The only reason I use separate gcodes is if one of the toolpaths is very long and I want to run then on separate days or times.
3 Likes
Two files would allow you to run the Finish cut a second time and not have to watch the Rough cut.
Why would you run the finish cut a second time, assuming you imply with the same parameters?
Sometimes you get a rougher finish than you want and running the finish a second time it will clean up the fuzzies it left on the first finish tool path. On some vcarve tool paths you can rerun it again for the same reason to clean up the fuzzies left behind from the first run. I think it mostly depends on the material you are cutting. Some woods like pine do not cut cleanly so a second finish is required to get the smoothest finish without having to spend a lot of time sanding. Even running a second finish you may still have to do some finish sanding. Just the nature of natural products like certain species of wood.
3 Likes