Is this a bug or operator error?

Software Carbide Create
1

Following @WillAdams advice to avoid slotting cuts to improve accuracy and finish, I set up a 12mm pocket to be cut with a 6.3mm bit using a 3mm stepover. I expected a slot down the center with a ~3mm step to each side to finish the pocket; however, what I got was a slot down one edge of the pocket with a ~6mm step (nearly full cutter width) to finish the other edge of the pocket. Other pockets in the same job that were wider than 12mm started with a slot, a ~6mm step, followed by enough 3mm steps to finish the pocket. Why is the first step at or near the bit width? Is this a bug or do I not understand what a pocket toolpath should do? I’m using build 431 of Carbide Create running on a 6 year old Macbook.

The pockets are being cut to the correct size just not the way I expected.

Attached is the .c2d file; see toolpath ‘top A’ for a 12mm pocket, or ‘bottom A’ for a wider pocket.box.c2d (151.7 KB)

Thanks in advance for your help!

2

yup this is a long standing know bug that is apparently hard to fix…

3

Off the top of my head, and without firm basis for the following statements (I don’t use CC), you might try:

Lying to CC about the size of the bit, (maybe 0.5mm larger than actual) for a rough pass, then tell it the truth and run a second pass. The first/rough will be narrow, second will have uniform small radial engagement for accurate finish)

Use a smaller tool (less than 1/2 slot width) to see of that gives the correct behaviour.

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