I'm not very knowledgable about Flashcut, but it sounds like it's a 2d or 2
1/2 d program, where the z-depths have to be added manually. The program I
use (and also sell), DeskProto, is a true 3d program, which calculates
these depths automatically. As Dan points out, you are still limited by the
depth to which your tool will cut, so you have to break the roughing pass
into sub-passes which don't exceed this depth. In DeskProto, this is done
automatically as well. For the finish pass, with the bulk of the material
out of the way, the tool goes up and down the "hump" without stepping. If
anybody's interested, there is a working but time-limited demo of the new
(about to be released) version of the program downloadable from their site
at <>. I think it also takes the tool radius into
account when calculating the toolpaths, which I suppose is why I haven't
had a problem using MaxNC's unlimited file-size control software.
Andrew Werby
<>
Discounts on Rhino, DeskProto, MaxNC, & CNC Jr, plus lots of 3d links
"Dan Mauch" <dmauch@...> wrote:
Subject: Re: Flashcut questions
When you hump something do you do it with one hump or you you take several
humps to complete the mission? ( Its a rhetorical question) Same with the Z
axis if you need to cut 1" deep and your machine will only take .1" depth of
cut without a problem then you would need 10 cuts at.1" to machine the
hump. More gratifying too! :)
Dan
From: "Ian W. Wright" <Ian@...>
Dan Mauch wrote:
The z axis is set in a setup file because if you wanted mulitple passes
to
achieve the depth that you wanted you would be stuck if it imported the z
depths or you would have to edit them.
Thanks to those who replied - I'm gradually beginning to wipe the mud
from the window into this world of CNC! Of course, Dan's explanation of
why you can't just produce a 'Z' axis code automatically makes a lot of
sense when you think of it *but* I now have the problem of trying to
understand how this works if you are trying to cut a rounded 'hump'. I
saw a web site somewhere with a pretty picture of a blue car body on it
- is the perpetrator of that on the list and would he/she be prepared to
comment please?
Best wishes
Ian
Ian W. Wright LBHI
Sheffield Branch Chairman of the British Horological Institute.
Bandmaster and Euphonium player of the Hathersage Brass Band. UK.
See our homepage at:- or
'Music is the filling of regular time intervals with harmonious
oscillations.'
Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
