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reversing tool path direction?

Discussion in 'SketchUcam Help' started by rotccapt, Jan 22, 2018.

  1. rotccapt

    rotccapt New Member

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    Hello all, I am working with thin plastic and using a vacuum hold down system. I decided a down spiral bit is the best bit for the job. I am finding that the surface finish is better on the scrap side of the cut. Is it possible to revers the tool path direction? Im thinking about reversing the faces on my model so that the inside cut tool creates out side tool paths. will this work?
     
  2. swarfer

    swarfer Moderator Staff Member

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    no, that will not work reliably.

    if you read the manual at http://swarfer.github.io/sketchucam/sketchucamtoolbar.html#toolparameters under 'overhead gantry' you will know how to reverse inside and outside cuts.

    if you read http://swarfer.github.io/sketchucam/howto_options.html#a4 you will know how to change the direction of pocket and plunge hole cuts.

    another thing to try is to do a finishing cut (possibly opposite direction to the roughing cut).
    to do this:
    set bit diameter to be larger than it really is, say 0.2mm too big.
    add inside and outside cutlines
    generate gcode

    now that gcode will leave the parts too big and holes too small by 0.1mm

    now remove all those cuts
    set the bit diameter to the true diameter.
    add cutlines
    (possibly turn off multipass, you might be able to do the final cut in one pass)
    (possibly change direction too)
    generate Gcode

    now this gcode will cut that final 0.1mm off the outsides and insides of all the cuts.
     
  3. rotccapt

    rotccapt New Member

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    thank you for the info i will give that a try on some test pieces and see if my results improve
     

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