How can I figure out what is wrong with a CAM Studio Tool Path?

dean_mulla · November 15

We are just starting to use CAM Studio for our FRC team. However, I have not been able to get any tool path to successfully generate. I have tried a hole tool path and an edge tool path.

Are there any tips for determining what is preventing the tool path from generating successfully?

edward_petrillo · November 15

Here is an example of toolpaths for a siimple part: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1e975a485f02973c263a1b87/w/92fe1470335100cdaa2510aa/e/538c7d752cc5ee7f2c8834d1

Documentation for CAM Studio is very limited. I was able to create these toolpaths largely by trial and error. I found much of the terminology used to be unfamiliar despite my previous experience with several other entry-level CAM programs. We CNC parts that are mostly similar to the example using VCarve Pro. It's not yet apparant that CAM Studio would be a suitable alternative..

GWS50 · November 15

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/123324#Comment_123324

Yes I'm afraid I agree with this, The terminology does seem a little alien. I too am used the CAM software like VCarve Pro and other Vectric programs which make short work of setting up toolpaths. When using a router, I can't seem to find a way of setting the world origin to near left corner without having to add an off-set of half the table width/length. Still I'm sure things will get ironed out with time.

Some more documentation would be helpful. Some of the inputs don't have the helpful 'question mark' next to them, even this would be helpful.

dean_mulla · November 16

So I cannot open Edward's example. Here is the CAM studio for the gusset I'm trying to get to generate a tool path. I think I'm stuck on the tool path portion - I think I have the tool set up ok and the machine set up ok but I might not.

From a complexity point of view this seems much closer to Fusion 360 than it does to Vectric's Cut2D which we have been using for our CNC router with great success.

This is my attempt at CAM studio (if anyone wants to look at it and provide suggestions):

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/deadad918a55315c17a5724c/w/30917aee17950d1fcaf5f263/e/0ef89ce6bc1ebcf50e315747

dean_mulla · November 16

I did something but I don't know exactly what and got the profile (outer) to generate. However I'm now unable to get the pockets (I could do them as holes also but that doesn't work either) to generate…

Same CAM studio as the URL above.

edward_petrillo · November 16

Apparently Holes can only be created with a Drilling toolpath. To cut them with your 4mm endmill. use a two-axis profile. Select the edges on the bottom of the holes and ensure that the "cutting side" under the "Sorting" dropdown is set to "Right"

dean_mulla · November 17

So with Pattern=Drilling" and Type="Holes" there isn't any "Sorting" dropdown that I see anywhere to select "Right".

However, using those selections (Type=Holes,Pattern=Drilling) and also selecting the Holes/"Selection filter"="Hole" then selecting all the through holes made it possible to have a tool path when I regenerated the toolpath and the stock.

So somehow this has made it so I have both a hole toolpath and a profile toolpath.

I still have to figure out how to do a pocket toolpath but this is a lot of progress.

Thanks!

edward_petrillo · November 17

My understanding is the the Holes pattern assumes that you are using a drill bit whose diameter corresponds to the desired diameter of the hole. If so, the drilling toolpath you created will yield a 4mm hole rather that the 5.4mm hole (?) that is your target. This result should be apparent if you verify the toolpath.

Change the pattern to "Two axis Profile" -it appears I did not make that clear- and then proceed as described in my earlier post.

Your problem points to needed improvements in CAM Studio. The program should verify that the drill you are using corresponds to the size of the hole you select. The absence of the "measure" tool that OS provides in Parts Studios and assemblies means you have to remember the hole size, or any other dimension that is pertinent to your job.

Dr_B · November 19

I am really trying to get Onshape CAM to work for our team (2530) this year. There are quite a few hurdles in terms of both learning and a few functional gaps, but I think doable. One things I can't figure our is why when I'm doing something like a 2D rough to get a bearing hole it doesn't just do a spiral from the center (it steps over and then makes a circle)

and between each depth it retracts back to the clearance distance. I can make it stop going all the way back out by changing some of the "small links between passes" parameters to 'direct' or 'spline' but then it doesn't properly spiral in to the next layer—it just plows through to the center as a move/ramp. I'm sure this is something simple I'm missing…. The 'retract to feed distance' still goes up the clearance and slowly spirals back down.