Machining a slot on SolidWorks

maikol2346 · Jan 30, 2020

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Hello everyone,

I am a beginner at SolidWorks CAM and I am encountering some trouble machining the slot inside of that button part. As you can see in image 1, I already have most of the part figured out except for that blue area. I have tried defining the feature as a pocket and when I attempt to do a contour operation it only trims off the top and goes around. When I try defining the feature as a slot, it doesn't create a path for a contour operation. I am using a 2.5 axis mill to make this part. Dimensions can be seen in images 2 and 3. It's a 0.25" x 0.63" x 0.81" slot. I should also add that I am using a keycutter with the dimensions specified in image 4.

AARONT · Jan 30, 2020

I would do it as an open profile. Select the two bottom edges and the bottom inside radius(so 3 segments). Do not select the od segment.

If you wanted to do a cam supported roughing op, make it as a corner slot with the od edge as an open air segment. This should give you a rough and a contour toolpath.

len_1962 · Jan 30, 2020

draw a sketch at the centerline and drive the cutter with the sketch, do not use cutter comp. I am assuming the cutter is the same dia. as the cut.

Just looked at the cutter info it's dia is .78 and you are cutting a .32 radius= .64 dia wont fit!!!

the only problem is what will SW CAM do at the end of the cut? will it try and lift out thru the part.

some time for thing like this it is just better to hand GCode the operation so you know what it will do, CAM not always the answer. Sorry.

SeymourDumore · Jan 30, 2020

len_1962 said:
some time for thing like this it is just better to hand GCode the operation so you know what it will do, CAM not always the answer. Sorry.

Yeah.. S'plain THAT to some of the current CAMMasters of the Universe!

With that said, in FeatureCAM that would be a sub 2 minute shenanigan.

Shawnrs · Jan 31, 2020

Use an open profile feature and follow the outside diameter with a smaller cutter.

Pete Deal · Jan 31, 2020

SeymourDumore said:
in FeatureCAM that would be a sub 2 minute shenanigan.

Assuming you know how to use it, which seems to be the problem in this case not so much the tool.

And I don't think G code will make that cutter fit in that slot.

SeymourDumore · Jan 31, 2020

Pete Deal said:
Assuming you know how to use it, which seems to be the problem in this case not so much the tool.

And I don't think G code will make that cutter fit in that slot.

Hence my cammaster comment.
Not sure which picture to believe, but it does not look like either the shank, nor the business end would fit.

Search

Largest Manufacturing Technology Community on the Web

Search

Machining a slot on SolidWorks

maikol2346

Plastic

AARONT

Stainless

len_1962

Stainless

SeymourDumore

Diamond

Shawnrs

Stainless

Pete Deal

Titanium

SeymourDumore

Diamond

Similar threads