Efficiently Machining 3D shapes and 3D Chamfers in SprutCAM!

Getting SprutCAM to generate 3D toolpaths is, in my opinion, quite easy. However, getting those toolpaths nailed down to be controlled (e.g. directional) and efficient (avoid cutting air!) is crucial in production runs.

In this video, we walk through optimizing the 3D Finishing Plane feature.

Then we tackle how to do a 3D chamfer using the Morph function!

If you enjoy this NYC CNC video please hit the like button and share with a friend, it really goes a long way!

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[andrewprice]

Never thought I could learn so much from a seemingly simple part! Great tutorial on tricky 3D surfaces.

[wilkoslavakia]

At 4:02 you say that you find that the windows help generally isn't that great i agree what i find more helpful is your channel as you show both the cam then the machining side of it. Thank you john and keep up the goodwork :-)

[bluehandsvideo]

I'm not much of a dog person, but that was a nice touch at the end. :)  The first time I emailed you was about the auger for his treat dispenser. lol 

[tristanprice]

Awesome stuff man....love how you brought the dog in for the ending

[eadccomponents]

This was a good video man. Look forward to next widget. Cool dog too :) 3D chamfering is a whole world interesting toolpaths ;) I'm staying tuned ;)

[fytanman]

Thanks for the great Sprutcam instructions!

[NotIT]

Nice tips! Learned a new Sprut trick with that morph path. Now I want to try it out. Now if only that PathPilot upgrade would just get shipped out to me :)

[andrewmack]

Very interesting.  Thank you.  I appreciate your comment about "roll type" - as an untrained person trying to learn this stuff, the software needs to provide meaningful explanations to novice users

[dennyskerb]

Hey John, great video. Also Judd looks good

[gptech]

Hi John, you need to polarise your light source as well as using the filter on the lens.
You can buy large sheets of polarising filters that will cover your light source, just make sure all filters are oriented the same way.

[astbrnrd]

Nicely nailed ;-)
Did you try to see if this is able to be done with hsm express (free version) you have made a small cult down here, (partly my fault for introducing you to them) but its great, now we have something "tested & tried" to argue about in class :-) although our lab is (very small in comparison to the pcnc) small, we can still keep up and have sound theory. Thanks for the passion you pour on the videos, it's contagious :-).

[atomkinder]

Food for thought: when you are able, use a bullnose mill instead of a ball end. The tool will cut far nicer, and will never cut on center, where there is no real cutting action anyway. For surfacing external features they work very, very well.

[Squat]

This looks like a great use of the 4th axis mounted horizontally. No need for the stair steps, just a straightforward surface. It looks like continuous for the top surface for the two angled pieces, then for the top part use continuous as a finish.

As for regenerating the ops, I typically do that at the end of my creating (again, I havent had the joy of running a CNC mill but I practice the CAM) THEN modify or remove wasteful ops. Its like a proof read to me. :-)

Also, stubborn FTW! Who likes reading those "shitty" help files. haha!

Great job again!

[dougp]

John, you need to get your pup a machinist's apron to where around there ;-).  FYI-when you are wanting to input a different finish angle in Sprut (i.e. how you complimented your 30 degree with a -30 degree definition) just look at it in relation to a semi-circle.  In your example you could specify 120 degrees and be good to go the opposite of your 30 degree curve.  I do this all the time when cleaning up bevels or trying to leave vertical islands of materials intentionally.  The simulations do tend to show reality (minus any lost steps, tool pull out or ID10T errors with locates).

As you have communicated in this video Sprut is NOT at all intuitive for learning on your own.  I am still on version 7.  After five years of use I find that the finishing plane, drive, optimized plane and complex operations are actually much more efficient than trying to pull everything off with waterlines.  You need to still use a waterline here and there when roughing, but the other operations get you much closer to your desired results (the model) with a LOT less air cutting.  For the price we gotta be happy with what we can do, but if you monetize frustration it is an expensive CAM software package in the beginning.

[jmh]

I did not look to see if anybody else asked but can you save toolpaths or export them so if you do have to regen you just load up the one you want?

[laurakiasgreece]

how can i make a chamfer with sprutcam, if you can upload a tutorial thanks

[PapaGleb]

Superb video and dog :). Can you send me the link(s) to your channel for beginners. I deleted the original and can't find it now. Thx