[Cartierusm]

Howdy, I'm new to Rhino and I have the RhinoCam Plugin and I need to know how to define where it cuts. I'll explain. Let's say I have 2 half circles as my curves and I do a 2 rail sweep then when I go into RhinoCam and set up my cutting preferences it seems to cut around the ends as well instead on staying just on the curved surface I made. I read the help file and read some of the tutorial and I think it's called Regions. You set the regions so it doesn't mill where you don't want it. Anyway who cares what it's called how do I specify where it mills? Thanks.

[mc-motorsports]

Yes, you have to select your regions. Regions are going to be defined by joined curves or closed curves, no open curves, if that makes sense to you. If I have this in my head correct, join one half circle to one rail, to the other half circle, to the other rail and the command line should say "4 curves joined to 1", which is what you want. Then select regions, a little drop down box will appear, select the curves you just joined, it will show REGION in the drop down box, then click OK. Regenerate and that will fix your problem.

Another thing is if you just bought Rhino CAM new, you can set-up a demonstration with a tech over at Mech-Soft. Those guys are excellent. You need DSL or better, he will email you an invite link and then you will be logged onto his computer. You call him back and he talks you through some basic techiques and tries to answer all your questions, the whole time, he's using Rhino CAM on his computer and you see everything on yours. I would call just for the hell of it, it's a free service they don't advertise, only when you purchase Rhino CAM new though.

[Cartierusm]

MC, thanks that kind of worked. I understand the principles and how to use it, I just have to build a bigger curve so it mills most everythig but blocks other areas.

I have another question. I'm used to using Artcam. When you start Artcam you define the size of the model you're woking on. So let's say the standard I use is 2 1/2" x 20". I build my model at the top, Y0, and center, X 1.25. Then I pick a point in the model where there will be reference on the stock I'm using. So let's say I'm making a fingerboard the blank wood is 2" x 19". I'll put the part in the CNC, find center and Y0 then I'll use Mach3s MDI and offset the X-1.25. So it matches my model. Or I'll reference off of where the nut on the fingerboard is because I always reference that when laying out with pencil on the part. How do I locate the part within the box stock that I make in Rhino, then how to I measure from a certain point, let's say the nut, which might be 1/8" below the top of the model so I can offset when setting up on the CNC. Thanks.

[mc-motorsports]

Yea, it gets kind of tricky some times using the regions to keep the tools where you want them. Some times I have to play around and create curves on the part so I can use them as regions and not waste time or keep the endmills or ballmills off of a certain surface.

As far as locating your workpiece, your going to want the MDI X0 Y0 Z0 to be at the same point as the drawing X0 Y0 Z0. If you need to measure from something, for instance, from your 1.25" from your fret, I would draw a line 1.25" long starting at the fret with the ending point being my work zero. Then select all of the objects, use the snap commands and turn on "End", keyboard command "move", command line will ask where to move from, select the end of the reference line you just drew. Then the command line will ask where to move to, type in 0,0,0, or offset it in x for instance by typing 1.25,0,0 I always make sure the mouse cursor is in the upper right "TOP" or upper left "Perspective". Try it with the mouse cursor in the other two view boxes and it won't be X,Y,Z it will be Z,X,Y or Y,X,Z, confusing, so I always make sure the cursor is in TOP or PERSPECTIVE.

My computer won't do "screen shots", supposed to record the screen when you push the keyboard button next to F12, but mine won't for some reason, otherwise I would post screen shots, hope I didn't confuse you.
Michael

[Cartierusm]

Yeah that confused me a little, but my original question may have confused you. Let me rephrase.

Let's say I have a 2" circle in rhino, my piece of wood is 4" square. The circle in rhino is at 2,4,0, it is located here just because I drew it in that position. Now when I create my box stock I tell it, it's 4" square and the location of the circle. where the front of the circle is at the edge of the piece of wood. Since the whole thing, circle and box stock, are not at 0,0,0 in rhino when I make the g code will it make the front, left corner of the piece of wood 0,0,0?

[turmite]

Hey Carter...sum

I am a little curious about your modeling for machining procedure. I don't use Rhinocam, as you know, but when I model anything I am going to machine I model it like I want it set up in my machine. For instance, if I wanted to model the circle you mentioned, I would model it with the center an x0y0. I personally model my safe clearence in above the part as well and use that as my z0. For instance, if I want .250" as my safe clearance, I would position my circle center x0y0z-.25.

It's just my way of doing things, and is probably wrong, but not for me!

Mike

[mc-motorsports]

It's just my way of doing things, and is probably wrong, but not for me!

Mike

It's not wrong as long as it works for you.

There are two way to set the work coordinates, you can do it right from the CAM, the 4th icon over at the top of the CAM window is a L shaped block with an arrow pointing from an angle. Click on that and it will open up the "locate all geometery" tab. You can now type in the coordinates that you would like to use for your "work zero", or the easiest thing is click on the arrow at the bottom next to the X Y Z coodinate boxes. When you click on the arrow, you next click the X0 Y0 Z0 of your part or stock that you will be using for your work coordinate zero.

The other way is to just move the circle and the box so that your work zero is located at x0 y0 z0. We'll say that you want to use the upper left corner for your work zero. For instance, say the corner of your box is at 1,2.5,0 then I use keyboard command MOVE and it will ask WHAT OBJECTS TO MOVE, select the circle and the box. It will ask WHERE TO MOVE FROM, use the "end" snap tool and select the upper right corner of the box. Then it will say WHERE TO MOVE TO, type in 0,0,0. Then the upper left corner of your box should be at 0,0,0 and you will be creating G code and working in the +X -Y work plane for the most part, this is where your part geometry is located.

Let me know if I confused you again, wish I could do screen-shots. Anyone know where I can download a free program?

MC

[Big S]

Let me know if I confused you again, wish I could do screen-shots. Anyone know where I can download a free program?

MC

Did you try opening MSPaint and selecting paste? Usually the print screen button just make the image go to the clipboard, you have to manually save it with paint or its gone forever.

Shannon.

[mc-motorsports]

Thank you! It works!

MC