1) I cannot figure out how I would set the plunge depth to cnc route a 2 dimensional object. the Pycam interface is a bit confusing in that it only accepts gravure for 2 dimensional routing. That said, I figured out after a long time how to get almost perfect Gcode I can convert to my Fanuc, but I have a real problem setting plunge depth in Pycam. Under processes I cselect maximum Step down to say 4mm, but the G-code does not contain any plunges in the Z-direction of 4mm anywhere. At the moment I have to edit all my Gcode to get the correct plunging.
I must be missing something, as Pycam would not be so naieve to not impliment plunge depth. Or is it ?
2) I also am not sure if Pycam has design rules ? In particular it is not clear if Pycam compensates for the tool(bit) radius when it creates a toolpath. Under Gravure (which is sadly only option for 2-dim objects) it does not seem that it prohibits you from using a tool that would e.g. cut a larger hole than required if you choose a tool that is too big to fit the hole. This is a bit concerning as if it doesnt have that, it is not really a Cam program. Design rules and limits are really the bread and butter of Cam. Are there settings that I miss? as it seems the gravure is really not a 2-dim CNC machining application but more for engraving.
Last edit: retnev 2018-05-23
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
1) the bounding box is used for specifying the depth of the gravure (see http://pycam.sourceforge.net/faq/). This is a bit counter-intuitive, sorry.
2) No, the 2D toolpaths do not try to guess the physical properties of your setup. But it should not add moves within circles that are smaller than the tool radius, if you enabled tool compensation. Regarding gravures for 3D objects: this is an interesting feature, but it is not here, at the moment.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Here is a good example I am trying to CNC a missing piano edge.
There is just no way I can get pycam to generate gcode that makes sense. Either it just creates a surfacing routine or it just plunges and cnc's a single line where it has to do the entire surface.
I attach my STL model and a config. I tried about every possible config and nothing works. The one added is jut my latest attempt.
As you can se this is 2.5D and way inside the capabilities of Pycam according to the manual. To get G-code though for such a simple 2.5D object proves to be a challenge with Pycam or my interpretation of the manual.
1) I cannot figure out how I would set the plunge depth to cnc route a 2 dimensional object. the Pycam interface is a bit confusing in that it only accepts gravure for 2 dimensional routing. That said, I figured out after a long time how to get almost perfect Gcode I can convert to my Fanuc, but I have a real problem setting plunge depth in Pycam. Under processes I cselect maximum Step down to say 4mm, but the G-code does not contain any plunges in the Z-direction of 4mm anywhere. At the moment I have to edit all my Gcode to get the correct plunging.
I must be missing something, as Pycam would not be so naieve to not impliment plunge depth. Or is it ?
2) I also am not sure if Pycam has design rules ? In particular it is not clear if Pycam compensates for the tool(bit) radius when it creates a toolpath. Under Gravure (which is sadly only option for 2-dim objects) it does not seem that it prohibits you from using a tool that would e.g. cut a larger hole than required if you choose a tool that is too big to fit the hole. This is a bit concerning as if it doesnt have that, it is not really a Cam program. Design rules and limits are really the bread and butter of Cam. Are there settings that I miss? as it seems the gravure is really not a 2-dim CNC machining application but more for engraving.
Last edit: retnev 2018-05-23
Sorry for forgetting your question!
1) the bounding box is used for specifying the depth of the gravure (see http://pycam.sourceforge.net/faq/). This is a bit counter-intuitive, sorry.
2) No, the 2D toolpaths do not try to guess the physical properties of your setup. But it should not add moves within circles that are smaller than the tool radius, if you enabled tool compensation. Regarding gravures for 3D objects: this is an interesting feature, but it is not here, at the moment.
Here is a good example I am trying to CNC a missing piano edge.
There is just no way I can get pycam to generate gcode that makes sense. Either it just creates a surfacing routine or it just plunges and cnc's a single line where it has to do the entire surface.
I attach my STL model and a config. I tried about every possible config and nothing works. The one added is jut my latest attempt.
As you can se this is 2.5D and way inside the capabilities of Pycam according to the manual. To get G-code though for such a simple 2.5D object proves to be a challenge with Pycam or my interpretation of the manual.
Last edit: retnev 2019-01-03
Let us continue this separate discussion in the new thread, that you just opened: https://sourceforge.net/p/pycam/discussion/860183/thread/8941a7429a
OK, I transfered the attachment to the new post.
Thanks