V-carve setup question

[charlie.chisholm (Charlie R Chisholm)]

I’ve been experimenting with doing v-carve’s of stl models by combining two types of wood (poplar and walnut for example) in such a way that the v-carving the walnet ends up bottoming out on the top surface of the poplar so that the end result is the v-carved model is left mated exactly to the top surface of the poplar. To do that, I’ve been setting the zero point on the top of the model and making sure that the walnut is EXACTLY the thickness of the maximum cut.

This works but a lot can go wrong if I am off even a miniscule amount on the thickness of the walnut. There are too many variables that have to be exactly correct. I am thinking that if I can move the zero plain of the walnut to its bottom, that would eliminate the worry about the walnut thickness. For some reason I have a mental block about how to do that. (cutting above the zero plan of the walnut) I think I am over complicating the problem (Alzheimer’s) but not sure.

If anyone can follow this poorly constructed question, I would appreciate an opinion. If not, then it is definitely my my fault and thank you for trying.

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

Set origin to be relative to bottom of stock in the file:

and then surface it off as a first operation to the exact thickness if need be.

[CullenS (Cullen Simpson)]

I had a similar block initially and was confused between setting zero on the bottom in the setup screen and then dealing with zero as the top in the toolpath definition. I was trying to figure out if I needed to change the definition in the toolpath or add the material thickness there.

You don’t. The two things are more or less separate. The zero in the toolpath screen still represents the top of the stock.

If you zero on the bottom and set the thickness of your material incorrectly your first passes will either be a little too deep into the surface or in the air.

Jump in if I got something wrong there please.