DeskProto user forum

Hello,

I’m fairly new to DeskProto and I have a few questions about the roughing operation.

I can’t seem to figure out how to use both a roughing and a finishing pass on a vector operation. The finishing pass always repeats what the roughing pass has already done, even when I don’t set any allowance.

Both operations have the same machining depth, so I don’t understand why it insists on redoing the same toolpath.

On the screenshots, the roughing operation has a custom layer height, but it is the same result with "use maximum for this cutter".

I’m currently using a Pocketing operation, but my goal is to use a V-Carving and then add a final pass only along the contours.

Could you please explain what I might be missing?

Thank you very much for your help,
Louison

Hi Louison,

Creating toolpaths for roughing and for finishing is not the same for Vector machining as it is for Geometry machining.

For geometry machining indeed two separate operations are needed: one for roughing and one for finishing. A separate operation is needed as the complete surface will be machined again.

However, for vector machining this is not needed: here the 'roughing skin' only applies to the outside contour of the curve (which is why it is called 'XY allowance').
So instead of adding a finishing operation you now simply can check the option "Add finising path" in the operation now called 'Roughing'.

Lex.

Hi,

I see, thank you for the clarification.
So just to confirm — it’s not possible to change the cutter between the two toolpaths?

I’m asking because I think it would actually be very useful to have the opposite workflow for inlays. In that case, we usually need to use the V-bit first to carve the letters, and then perform a “cleaning” operation with a flat end mill.

Right now, the first toolpaths generated with the V-bit (in areas that will later be cleared) are unnecessary (in my opinion) in this scenario.

Louison

Indeed it is not possible to change the cutter on this point.

About the clean-up operation: DeskProto can generate such operation for you (use the button on the V-Carving tab).

Next you can remove most of the unneeded V-Carving paths by adding an extra curve: on offset curve around your artwork curves, used as outer limit curve when V-Carving the plug.
See sample project file William-inlay.dpj

We are working on an option to let DeskProto calculate and add such offset curve: that will be possible in DeskProto V8.1 (no release date planned yet, will anyway be next year).