I was not sure where to place this, but I am trying to make a heart shaped tray. and the simulation after I run to check the tool paths appears to be correct. I am using the off-set vector tab to create the outer “offset” set at 0.25 or 1/4 inch, and cutting from the right outside. However, when the project is ran, it is cutting incorrectly. I realize the machine will only cut what is sent to carbide motion. But I am baffled to understand what is wrong. Using latest version of carbide create and carbide motion. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Which machine? What Z-axis?
Upload the file?
Where possible avoid slotting and add geometry and cut as a pocket
and/or
and consider leaving a roughing clearance and taking a finishing pass.
Shapeoko 5.1 Pro, Carbide Create and Carbide Motion software. Sorry I originally uploaded the incorrect file. Which had the bowl tray bit listed as the contour bit. However the actual file uses the correct 1/4" end mill.
Heart_Tray.c2d (216 KB)
Are you sure you have a 0.25” bit for the tool path your cutting? It look likes the tool path is correct but its cutting too wide, which is why i ask if you had the 0.25” bit vs a 0.50” bit. Or a larger bit for the pocket?
I would use the 0.25" bit to rough out the pocket first (leave this cut to 0.58 DOC) then use the bowl bit for a final pass at 0.6". You can increase the F/S of the 0.25" bit to rough out the pocket. Then just shave off the rest with the actual bowl bit.
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If I am understanding you correctly, all of my endmills are “1/4” or 0.25". Of course the bowl tray bit is a 3/4" or 0.75. The file I originally uploaded was an old incorrect version before I double checked it. Now being newer to the CNC world. I choose to offset the vector and then cut from the outside right which I thought I understood it to mean the cutter would start cutting on the outside edge of the vector which is set to 0.25, thereby giving me 1/4" lip, but I could be mistaken.
When I run the simulation and look at the tool paths you have the same bit listed for “#1372 bowl and tray bit” for the “pocket roughing and pocket cleanup” and clearly the sim tool paths shows two separate diameter tools being used. Did you enter this 1372 tool on your own? Are the diameter vs radius set correct?
To me it looks like the Contour path #210, 0.25" bit is cutting correctly but it seems the pocket is cutting wider than it should on the wood itself? And that is why you have a very small border for the bowl lip all around the tray.
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This sounds correct.
Your file looks fine to me. Your feeds and speeds look fine for an SO5 Pro.
IDK what happened. My only thought is that the tool is programmed incorrectly, or the wrong tool was used. IE in CM, the tool database has been programmed with a smaller radius than .75"
***Edit, your tool is not programmed correctly. I created a .5 x .5 square and placed it on the layer with the inside of the heart, and a toolpath was generated.
I tried a .25 x .25 square, and no toolpath was created. **/ end o edit
My only suggestion is to adjust your “cleanup” pocket toolpath.
When I use this tool, I only remove .02" for the final/finish pass, and I greatly reduce the stepover (which you did). You are removing .2 with a .125 DOC, you are doing two “cleanup” passes with a low stepover. Thats not necessary. Just one is fine.
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You are 100% right, when I entered the diameter for my bowl and tray bit in the geometry section, I entered ‘0.250’ instead of ‘0.750’. My old eyes, just didn’t catch that error. Thanks for sharing your bowl bit information. I do not think I would have ever figured that out. Especially since I have only had my machine up and running for a week or so. Hopefully that will fix my issue. Once again thanks for your time and help, I really appreciate it.
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