Raster cutting leaves marks around the edge

Help and support using the 3D and Bitmap Machining CAM packages:
QuickCAM 3D, QuickCAM 3D Pro, QuickCAM 4D (rotary axis CAM)

Moderators: Martin, Steve, Mr Magoo

Post Reply
User avatar
Denford Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3632
Joined: Fri 10 Feb , 2006 12:40 pm
Hardware/Software: Go to User Control Panel > Profile
Enter as much information about your CNC hardware and software as you can - it makes it easier for everyone to know what you're talking about then.
Location: Sunny Brighouse
Contact:

Raster cutting leaves marks around the edge

Post by Denford Admin » Thu 12 Oct , 2006 15:51 pm

We have a question with regards to the microrouter, will it do a profile cut around an object to clean off any machining marks left by the raster cutting?


We are probably missing a very obvious point in our attempts to learn how to drive it properly, but despite trying various machining plans, we cannot seem to make it go around the perimeter of an object when finishing, and so it's leaving us with a stepped finish on curved edges.

User avatar
Denford Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3632
Joined: Fri 10 Feb , 2006 12:40 pm
Hardware/Software: Go to User Control Panel > Profile
Enter as much information about your CNC hardware and software as you can - it makes it easier for everyone to know what you're talking about then.
Location: Sunny Brighouse
Contact:

Post by Denford Admin » Thu 12 Oct , 2006 16:01 pm

If you are creating the plans in QuickCAM PRO, then you should be able to use waterline milling to clean around a profile.

The problem is that during the raster cut, the tool tends to rip out the edges slightly due to the heavier cutting forces - especially MDF.
Then when you come to clean around the edges with waterline or pencil milling, the tool is unable to clean up the marks fully.

The solution here is to rough raster with a finishing amount included - this leaves stock on the whole of the model.
Then finish raster with no finishing amount, then pencil or waterline around the edges.

Alternatively, try the combined raster+waterline plan which raster over top surfaces, and waterlines around the steeper sides (see picture)
Attachments
raster-waterline-combination-quickcam-pro.jpg
The Raster and Waterline Combo machining plan in QuickCAM Pro (not available in QuickCAM 3D)
raster-waterline-combination-quickcam-pro.jpg (74.59 KiB) Viewed 4800 times

Post Reply