Complex pocketing?

Here's the place for discussion related to CAM/CNC and the development of the Path module.
Forum rules
Be nice to others! Respect the FreeCAD code of conduct!
toolmaker
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:16 pm

Complex pocketing?

Post by toolmaker »

Hi All,
I just came back to the FreeCAD Path workbench after being away for a few years. I'm super-impressed with how it's looking -- thanks to all who've been working so hard on it!

Today I'm struggling to figure out what the best approach is to mill my part (using a vertical CNC mill). I have a complex pocketing problem and I've tried a variety of operations but they all seem to want to ignore the various flat lands and the holes in the pocket. I suspect I'm choosing the wrong Base Geometry for the operation (or perhaps the wrong operation?).

Here's the part I'm working on (.step linked below):
Image of sample part with complex pocketing
Image of sample part with complex pocketing
Example.png (109.74 KiB) Viewed 1984 times
Here's an example of a path that isn't working out well since it's avoiding the holes in the part:
Path avoids holes in flat land
Path avoids holes in flat land
Example2.png (33.18 KiB) Viewed 1984 times
What's the best approach and combination/order of operations to finish a part like this?

Here's the part I'm working on if anyone wants to take a quick and dirty shot at it for me:
BaseV1A_V2.step
Sample part with complex pocketing
(367.45 KiB) Downloaded 49 times
Thanks!
-Bill

My version info:

Code: Select all

OS: Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS (XFCE/xubuntu)
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.19.
Build type: Release
Python version: 3.6.9
Qt version: 5.9.5
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 7.3.0
Locale: English/UnitedStates (en_US)
herbk
Veteran
Posts: 2657
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 3:45 pm
Location: Windsbach, Bavarya (Germany)

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by herbk »

Hi Bill,
OK, thats not to do with an "one click Operation"... ;)

For the holes use the drilling OP.
With 3D Pocket you gets the different levels of one pocket done if you select the lowest face, but it dos not work "outside of this face. For that you have to do seperate 3D Pocket ops for other areas.
base.jpg
base.jpg (118.69 KiB) Viewed 1963 times
Attachments
Base V1A_herbk.FCStd
(139.94 KiB) Downloaded 70 times
Gruß Herbert
toolmaker
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:16 pm

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by toolmaker »

Thanks -- that's super helpful and gets me started! I think I actually got to this point with 3D Pocket first thing and then got sidetracked trying to find another operation which would handle the whole part... :P

Cheers,
-Bill
chrisb
Veteran
Posts: 53945
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:14 am

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by chrisb »

Use MillFace operation in FreeCAD 0.19. Set ExcludeRaisedAreas in the properties to true.
Attachments
Snip macro screenshot-17d701.png
Snip macro screenshot-17d701.png (17.52 KiB) Viewed 1952 times
A Sketcher Lecture with in-depth information is available in English, auf Deutsch, en français, en español.
mlampert
Veteran
Posts: 1772
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2016 9:28 pm

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by mlampert »

I'm always amazed by what ppl are doing with FC in general and Path specifically - very impressive.
toolmaker wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2020 4:53 pm Here's an example of a path that isn't working out well since it's avoiding the holes in the part:
Assuming you use a PocketShape operation you can use the Extensions to cover up those holes. Having said that, it would be a nice feature if PocketShape had direct support to mill over holes.
toolmaker
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:16 pm

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by toolmaker »

Thanks chrisb! I really wanted to mill those lands -- so I'm not sure how to get MillFace to handle it?

mlampert -- thanks! I found the Extensions option in PocketShape and played around with it -- although I'm not sure I completely understand what it does? When I chose the bottom of one of the pockets plus the lands in the pocket as the Base Geometry for PocketShape and enabled all the extensions then it did cover the whole area but it stopped at the height of the lands -- so I'm sure that would work with a second operation to finish the bottom of the pocket.

So, I think either PocketShape with extensions, or separate 3D Pocket operations will work!

Thanks!
-Bill
RatonLaveur
Posts: 991
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2019 10:45 am

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by RatonLaveur »

chrisb wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:15 pm Use MillFace operation in FreeCAD 0.19. Set ExcludeRaisedAreas in the properties to true.
This works yes. But my initial reaction is claiming utter heresy!! Face milling should never be the option to mill a complex pocket. Either a pocket tool should perform the operation adequately or the mill face tool should be renamed at once! This is unacceptable.

It is a perfectly acceptable workaround. :)

But i stand by my initial reaction. Something just doesnt feel right here.
herbk
Veteran
Posts: 2657
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 3:45 pm
Location: Windsbach, Bavarya (Germany)

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by herbk »

RatonLaveur wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:35 pm But i stand by my initial reaction. Something just doesnt feel right here.
me to...
Bill didn't ask for milling over holes (if i read the entire post correctly), his problem was, that pocket leaves all material above the higher sections around the holes up to the top.

But, btw:
This part of an case would be a good "test case part". Bill will run in some more probs if he wnt to mill the outside and the top of the wall with it's "fitting step".
At the outside of the step would be needet the posibility to mill a not closed loop edge, at the top of the wall and the step needs the posibility of the use of a tool which has more diameter as the with of the face to mill....
Gruß Herbert
CoderMusashi
Posts: 92
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2018 8:26 pm

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by CoderMusashi »

This is not a complex part to pocket just a very tedious 2D tool path. Nothing about this part is 3D Surfacing what so ever. There are a lot of ways to do this job. There are a lot of things to consider. It is a pretty straight forward task. I have attached some amusing possible cuts with an 1/8 endmill just for fun. Check out my PathWorkbench tutorials for more details on the techniques used when dealing with 2D patterns. https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=41781 https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=41877
Note the first tool path goes over the entire inside of this pocket. This you would take to your first depth.
example1.png
example1.png (465.96 KiB) Viewed 1842 times
This picture shows the tool path going around the 4 posts in the pocket and over 2 of the smaller ones. This tool path would be taken to the next depth. and your final tool path would go around all the post inside the Pocket. Of course I had to do some reversing to get the sketches I wanted from this model but it is all part of creating well thought out tool paths that do what you want and only what you want.
example2.png
example2.png (436.76 KiB) Viewed 1842 times
Freecad file these screen shots were snagged from. I will admit this was 30 mins of my time not including posting this.
Example.FCStd
(252.64 KiB) Downloaded 35 times
Another example using just the Pocket from face tool in the PathWorkbench
Eample3.png
Eample3.png (247.23 KiB) Viewed 1768 times
And the Example file that goes with the above picture
Attachments
Example.FCStd
(616.96 KiB) Downloaded 31 times
Last edited by CoderMusashi on Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RatonLaveur
Posts: 991
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2019 10:45 am

Re: Complex pocketing?

Post by RatonLaveur »

I just had some time to look into the model.
There is no shortcut to this task.

In my opinion:
1. Face milling of each Drilled Post. With adequate positive "material allowance" value to make sure you make a nice platform there.

2. Drilling of each hole.

3.Then normal pocket milling of the bottom.

Why first facing: to produce a nice flat platform for drilling.
Why then drilling: because drilling on supported surface (not yet a milled post) is more rigid.
Why pocket milling at the end, so that the posts are generally shorter (so more rigid) and it makes clean cylinders.

There are no two ways about it, for some of this you'll have to use a small small tool.

----to note: it is completely wrong to call the option "material allowance" in the Face Milling tool, that is not how a facing operation works, most of the times you want to overshoot the whole face (fly cutter, large flat end-mills, clearing burrs...etc). So technically it should be "over shoot" by default or the adequate milling linguo for the overshooting. "Allowance" would only be true if using negative values of this parameters, that's when material is intentionally left untouched . Only in that case does "Allowance" make sence as a term. Perhaps a drop-down menu in the Face Milling tool saying "allowance" or "overshoot" with the editable value with only positive values accepted.
Post Reply