Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Hi,
I want to mill pockets effectively with minimal overlap. But I can select any pocket method - there will be always some regions which the mill doesn't reach.
I have to set the "step over" value to 50% to reach everything. Even a 60% value isn't enough. What I'm doing wrong?
Does anybody else have that problem?
Best Regards,
Hans
I want to mill pockets effectively with minimal overlap. But I can select any pocket method - there will be always some regions which the mill doesn't reach.
I have to set the "step over" value to 50% to reach everything. Even a 60% value isn't enough. What I'm doing wrong?
Does anybody else have that problem?
Best Regards,
Hans
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- Les Newell
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Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Yes, this can happen. I am afraid the only solution at the moment is to use a smaller stepover.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Are you working on a solution?
- Les Newell
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Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
I have tried several ideas but I haven't yet found a reliable solution.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
You have added several very nice features like simulation and so on. So I can't really imagine that it would be a problem for you to to find a solution.
What a pity that it's not an open source project. So I can only offer you my help and support!
What a pity that it's not an open source project. So I can only offer you my help and support!
- Les Newell
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- Posts: 3661
- Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 8:12 pm
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Unfortunately I can't really afford to open source SheetCam. It's my main source of income. However I am thinking of retiring in the next few years. Open sourcing SheetCam at that point is one of the options I am considering.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
What do you think of providing the functions that include the pocket algorithms so that me or other users can help to fix this?
Recently I Just wanted to mill a rectangular zig-zag-pocket with minimal overlap. No chance! I don't how, but your algorithm manages that always some rest material is being left. I simply can't understand why that simple task is so erroneous. Just a little gcode script would do this better.
In my company we are thinking of buying some CAM software. When I only cut contours I really liked the software. But now when I am milling pockets I get annoyed that a bought this piece of software. Unfortunately in this stage I can't recommend it.
Recently I Just wanted to mill a rectangular zig-zag-pocket with minimal overlap. No chance! I don't how, but your algorithm manages that always some rest material is being left. I simply can't understand why that simple task is so erroneous. Just a little gcode script would do this better.
In my company we are thinking of buying some CAM software. When I only cut contours I really liked the software. But now when I am milling pockets I get annoyed that a bought this piece of software. Unfortunately in this stage I can't recommend it.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
One solution that I think of is to to try one extra pass on spiral pocket that has a 50% overlap after you cant fit any more passes with overlap over 50%.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Or pretend the the cut along the outline is centered over the outline when doing the zig-zag part if overlap is over 50%
- Les Newell
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Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Unfortunately I can't do that. Pocketing is not really a standalone piece of code. You would need access to most of SheetCam's internals to make any sense of it.
A generic pocketing algorithm that can handle any shape you throw at it is surprisingly difficult. As you say, for a simple rectangle it would be pretty trivial to do it in a script. However it all becomes a lot more difficult when faced with arbitrary shapes. By the way, for a simple rectangle you may be better off using a facing operation followed by an inside offset to clean up the edges.Recently I Just wanted to mill a rectangular zig-zag-pocket with minimal overlap. No chance! I don't how, but your algorithm manages that always some rest material is being left. I simply can't understand why that simple task is so erroneous. Just a little gcode script would do this better.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Or maybe you can do a distinction of cases. If shape == rectangular then do a simple algorithm that works with bigger overlaps. That's may no good style but I think rectangular pocket appear quite often.
And a post check whether material is remaining would also be helpful. So there would be no need for manually checking this.
A workaround could be to specify the maximum overlap and let the program find the biggest value for overlap where all material is being removed.
Only decrement the overlap in a loop starting at the specified maximum value down to the value where all material is removed.
And a post check whether material is remaining would also be helpful. So there would be no need for manually checking this.
A workaround could be to specify the maximum overlap and let the program find the biggest value for overlap where all material is being removed.
Only decrement the overlap in a loop starting at the specified maximum value down to the value where all material is removed.
- Les Newell
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- Posts: 3661
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Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
I need to take another look at pocketing. I'll see what I can do.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
But that's what I wanted to avoid if I understood you right.
But then my pocket will be to big or how do you mean it?Jolbas wrote: Or pretend the the cut along the outline is centered over the outline when doing the zig-zag part if overlap is over 50%
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Thank you, I really appreciate that!Les Newell wrote: ↑Thu Dec 10, 2020 7:02 pm I need to take another look at pocketing. I'll see what I can do.
Re: Material remains in pocket operation when step over > 50%
Sorry for the confusion. That was just some suggestions aimed to the developer, Les. Not very well thought out.