Hi, try to develop joints like these,
came to that kind of project
longitud_joint.c2d (60 KB)
and failed to proceed with a toolpath. The both pieces should be identical. Could never get rid of loose ends. No rush, but if I continue cutting projects from plywood instead of connecting boards I get crammed with all the leftover cutouts.
You need to define regions for the toolpaths in question:
in two layers — start with the region of greatest extension:
offset by tool diameter plus 10% or so:
(assuming a 6.35mm tool)
Then you need to create the shorter-upper region — draw in the missing geometry for it:
Done
and select everything and join:
Yes
Then, assign toolpaths — cut the first half of the thickness:
Then create a toolpath to cut the balance:
starting where one left off:
Repeat for the other side, but it’s probably simplest to just copy and then align nodes and drag things around to grid intersection and node edit and re-create the offset and re-assign toolpaths:
to arrive at:
Attached as a v8 file.
longitud_joint_v8.c2d (104 KB)
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Wow! Thank you! It looks so easy and logic when you do it. Will take me some days just to comprehend and some more days to understand.
Your other option is just get meshCam
MeshCAM doesn’t include a CAD solution, hence:
Dean, ok, when I generate GCode: how will that be cut on a Shapeoko? Does it import into CarbideMotion?
MeshCAM would write out G-code which would then load into Carbide Motion.
I tried MeshCAM for some hours. Minimal video support, did not understand the concept at all, only pro version has contour and pocket definition, and I could not even figure out how: too bothersome for me. Should be good for stl import, did not try.
Have QCADCAM: cannot define pocket, only with some workarounds…
Still Carbide Create has it’s pitholes… however for me with little overview appears to be the best so far. What I missed for a while -the toolpath simulation- is now included.
Even if I did not try yet: CC has STL support now too.
And if one gets stuck: the forum always helps within few hours, mostly within very few minutes.