Advice on improving my 3d relief flow?

[eric_engineer (eric)]

This is only my third project, but I’m wondering if anyone has any advice on improving my 3D relief flow. Fusion told me this would take about 6 hours and it took about 20! :). I assume part of that was I used a way too small min step size on my adaptive clearing path which carbide claimed which took 8-10 hours. But I also assume I have a bit of the wrong approach. I’m interested to know if these things just take this long or I need better settings/tools.

This is the final product (150mm x 150mm)

And this was the model:

I used four passes setup in Fusion360:

Adaptive clearing pass using 1/4" standard bit that came with the HDM.
Parallel path using a 1/4" ball cutter, this was quick
Scalloping pass with a 0.5MM Diameter tapered ball bit
Parallel pass with the same 0.5MM tapered ball bit

After the adaptive pass it looked like this, which is actually kind of cool looking itself.

And finally these were my feeds for each:
Adaptive

Parallel

Scallop

Final Parallel

And that’s it. Thanks for any advice, I’m still pretty new to this.

[jtclose (Jim Close)]

What do you not like ?

I see the parallel lines in the finished product.
I would use the largest ball end mill you have for the last pass.

I used this bit with a 0.050 " stepover with good results.

*AstraHP Coated* Whiteside 1406 Round Nose 3/4" Router Bit

[eric_engineer (eric)]

Thanks for the bit recommendation. I just didn’t like how long it took. I didn’t know if that was to be expected for this kind of part or not.

[jtclose (Jim Close)]

I use a Pocket for roughing, turn off Flat area detection to get expected DOC.
Be careful of fine details for big DOC, you will get spikes that can break off especially with pine.
I leave .020 on the Pocket.

Second is a Scallop with the large ball end mill no stock to leave.

Done .

[Redlander (Tim Jones)]

I guess the 0.75” diameter still provides or allows finer details based on the tool path allowing it?

[jtclose (Jim Close)]

I was trying to get a good finish with pine. Small bits left marks and fur.
I think it was @Tod1d that suggested a large diameter round bit.

I found a 0.050" stepover using a 3/4 round bit creates a 0.002" cusp.
The result was no sanding and a sheen finish. I have not found any combination that matches it.

You just have to pay attention if the bit will cover the topology in concave surface areas.
Convex is mint.

I would migrate down if needed, with REST turned on so you don’t revisit areas.

[Redlander (Tim Jones)]

@jtclose

Questioned answered, thanks

[AndyP (Andy)]

Could the lack of rapid movements in the non-commercial version of F360 make the whole process slower than it could be?

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Yes, that’s one of the ways which Autodesk has been shepherding users to pay for licenses.

[eric_engineer (eric)]

I did not know they did that now. I do have a regular license for it but not the fancy manufacturing add on just the regular license.

[jtclose (Jim Close)]

Same here, basic Fusion. It cost me $467 for the year this time ( $1.30 per day)