Multiple cnc objects

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Falco
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Multiple cnc objects

Post by Falco »

I have several files, each having an involute gear, and also some other files of parts, all to be cut from the same stock. Can someone tell me how to move parts and set this up to run all at once on my cnc router. I am relatively new at Freecad, so details of how to are welcome. Thanks
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by chrisb »

Moved from OpenDiscussion.
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sliptonic
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by sliptonic »

When you create the job, you can select multiple base objects. Then use the Job setup dialog to position the parts as you desire for cutting.
After that you can create profile, pocket, drilling operations as you would for a single base object.
Falco
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by Falco »

Thanks! That was a great help. Just took a bit of trial and error to figure out which items to select in the job setup.

When you set up a job with multiple base objects, is there a way to do the contour of one object, then do another operation drilling, pocket, etc, then finish the contour of the remaining base objects?
ubiquity
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by ubiquity »

Does this apply to multiple copies of the same item? If so, how?
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sliptonic
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by sliptonic »

ubiquity wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:34 am Does this apply to multiple copies of the same item? If so, how?
There are several ways to do multiple copies depending on your needs. You can make clones of your original object and add them to the job. This is useful if, for example, you want to move them around and rotate them to get lots of odd shaped parts out of a piece of stock.

You can also use Work Coordinate Systems. This is useful if you have multiple vises or fixed fixture positions on your machine.

You can use the Path Array to create an array of the tool paths. This is a simple way to create multiple copies from a single base model.

WCS is the way most commercial shops handle it. It provides the most flexibility because you can optimize to minimum tool changes, minimize travel, or move from one fixture to the next so the operator can load one fixture while the other is processing.
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by ubiquity »

Thanks for the comprehensive reply Brad.
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Re: Multiple cnc objects

Post by onekk »

WCS is a good way, as the "machining one part" while operator is loading another fixture, is related to some machine that have rotary tables (i.e one part is fixed on sector of the rotary table, and machined while other is "external of the work area").

Nesting is another options, (another way to call "path array") where you usually define a grid and using this grid the starting point is moved accordingly and the various pieces are machined.

But the very different "implementation" of such things, that are mostly "machine related", make answer rather difficult, as maybe you have in mind a "different type of machine".

The simple answer is usually it depends....

- from your CNC machine type and capabilities.
- from shape of the part that would be cut, as some shape don't fit in a grid type as there are a big waste of material unsing a "grid type" approach.
- from the material you intended to cut, a sheet of plywood is different from metal blocks, maybe already pre cut in shape to permit a proper fixing on the machine table.

Hoping to have not been gone OT.

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