What's the difference - Cut Pockets First

Trying to personalize some Christmas ornaments my including a name in script. Depth of cut is critical.
In the past I’ve randomly selected - or not - the Cut Pockets First option. Now, looking closely at the simulation I can’t see any difference in the result. When should I select this option, and what is it’s effect?

Cutting pockets first or no for an (Advanced) V Carving determines tool order.

I usually only toggle it to optimize for tool change ordering.

Thanks. I’ve now found one reason to do the pockets first: I cut a couple thousands shallower than needed. Now I can deepen the pockets a hair without running the contour twice. Doesn’t save much time, but al least it saves some.

If doing an advanced vcarve I cut the pockets first. Then the vee bit. If you use the vee bit first you are removing twice as much material. If you cut the pockets first you are just removing the outer perimeter and half of that has already been cut off by the pocketing operation.

The only time I change that is if a very long job will take longer than I have I cut the pockets first and stop the machine when it asks for the vee bit. I shut down and when I start again I go into CC and turn off cut pocket first, save and start cutting. Because the pocket is already cut when the tool change comes again for the flat end mill I just shut down. There are cases to cut the pocket last but I have not found any.

In softer materials like PVC, I find I get a much nicer cut if I cut with the V-bit first.
Otherwise I typically cut the pocket first.

2 Likes

Sneaky. I Like it! :grimacing:

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.