[keithmcelhinney]

I am going to be doing my first 3d toolpath and would love any suggestions. It is a pretty simple design with just a long bevel on the sides. I was thinking of roughing vertically and then finish horizontally. I was hoping to rough with a 3/8 endmill and finish with a 3/8 ball endmill. Again never did this so please be kind

This is the part:

Attachment 281826

I am going to just do the 3d bevel and not have the cutouts done (since I can do them with a straight endmill). It is hard to tell but the bevel goes from the sides to where the extension on the top is.

Thanks - Keith

[kvom]

Personally I'd just arrange a fixture plate that could be tilted at the desired angle for those two features. Any type of 3D path will result in ridges, and the smaller the ridges the longer the machining will take.

[keithmcelhinney]

I was thinking about that but for a one off piece, getting the fixture plate exactly right and everything would probably take more time than just doing it in 3d. It is too big for a vice. I can sand it afterward and get the ridges out since the 3d part is flat. I guess I am just going to have to try it and see.

[ger21]

Do everything in 2D except for the face of the bevels. It's be much faster than trying to 3D the entire part.

[LeeWay]

Do everything in 2D except for the face of the bevels. It's be much faster than trying to 3D the entire part.

That would certainly reduce machine time. By a bunch.

[keithmcelhinney]

Yeah that was the plan. I was going to cut the flats all first, too. It will minimize the ball mill cutting..

Going to do the toolpaths right now and do a test cut in wood just to make sure I don't do anything stupid...

[kvom]

Some CAM programs (CamBam is one) allow you to specify a sloped profile using 2.5D toolpaths.

[AUSTINMACHINING]

I've used 3d scallop tool path in HSM works on several parts. It makes visually cool geometric patterns if your looking for a cosmetic type finish.