[fourwheeler]

So I am a complete noob to this stuff and I have this drawing done in BobCAD V21;



What do I have to do to cut the center pocket? I have selected the piece and used the solid/generate toolpath command but it allows only Planar or spiral or radial toolpath none of which will put the tool in the center of the pocket and mill outwards in a rectangular path.

Am I doing something wrong here?

[moldmker]

You really don't need a model for pocketting.

Just draw the profile of your pocket.

Chain select it.

Select Other>Pocket...>Spiral (the Pocket selection is greyed out until you have a pocket profile preselected)

If your CAM window is open, you can go right into generating code by setting your roughing/depth parameters then selecting Cut Auto.

Good luck,
moldmker

[fourwheeler]

Right but if I am going to draw a cover for something and pocket out the inside how can I obtain the toolpath for the pocket? Do I need to draw the pockets separately?

[moldmker]

Whatever you draw, just make sure that it's oriented with the pocket side up when you create the toolpath.

If you want to draw parts as an assembly, you can use Other>Rotate w/Copy to re-orient parts with machining side up.
Parts can be on separate layers to turn them on/off.

Obviously, if pockets are symmetrical, you can just select them thru the top of the lid, but that can be confusing.

v21 Pocketting relies only on contours, it doesn't look at any surfaces.

Not sure if this answers your question. Feel free to ask away.

moldmker

[fourwheeler]

So you are saying I need to draw my parts in stages extracting the Gcode as I go?

[BurrMan]

Your pocket is just a 2d operation. The only reason to try and work with 3d is if the walls or floor were tapered or curved somehow.

This is what you box looks like.



If you just select the square you need and pocket that, you can set the params you need.

[moldmker]

So you are saying I need to draw my parts in stages extracting the Gcode as I go?

You can draw everything to completion.
In fact, it's best to have the design finished.

As you create a toolpath, you can concurrently generate the G-code.
For me it's easier this way since the path is pre-selected* and ready.
It can then be placed on a separate layer and blanked.

This keeps things uncluttered....you'll see.

You can certainly go thru and create all of the toolpaths first,
then go back and reselect them for g-code (in fact there are certain times when this is quickest)

*Note: pre-selection is based on this setting-

[fourwheeler]

Thanks for the tips guys....all help is appreciated.

But just asking, should I upgrade to V23 now? Is it that much easier to work with?

[SBC Cycle]

LOL, that's a loaded question. I actually have reverted back to V21 for 2d stuff after forcing myself to use only V23 for about 6 months. It's just "faster" for my job shop/limited production environment. I will say that if you are prototyping and your part might change often, V23 will allow you to rewrite code a LOT faster than V21.