CAM Pocket Shape

CAM Pocket Shape CAM Pocket Shape

Menu location

CAM  Pocket Shape

Workbenches

CAM

Default shortcut

None

Introduced in version

-

See also

None

Description

The CAM Pocket Shape CAM Pocket Shape command creates a pocketing operation from selected bottom faces, or walls, of one or more pockets of the jobs base object.

The CAM Pocket Shape object is made to be part of a CAM Job CAM Job.

Path Pocket Shape example

Usage

  1. Select the bottom or the wall(s) of a pocket. While it is usually easier to select the bottom, the walls have to be selected when a pocket goes through all.

  2. introduced in 26.3: Horizontal edges can also be selected. Edges are combined into wires, and a closed horizontal wire is converted into a pocket face.

  3. There are several ways to invoke the command:

    • Press the CAM Pocket Shape Pocket Shape button.

    • Select the CAM  Pocket Shape option from the menu.

  4. Adjust the desired properties.

Properties

Note: Not all of these Properties are available in the Task Window Editor. Some are only accessible in the Data tab of the Properties View panel for this Operation.

Base

Note: It is suggested that you do not edit the Placement property of path operations. Rather, move or rotate the CAM Job model as needed.

  • Placement: Overall placement[position and rotation] of the object - with respect to the origin (or origin of parent object container)

    • Angle: Angle in degrees applied to rotation of the object around Axis property value

    • Axis: Axis (one or multiple) around which to rotate the object, set in sub-properties: X, Y, Z

      • X: X-axis value

      • Y: Y-axis value

      • Z: Z-axis value

    • Position: Position of the object, set in sub-properties: X, Y, Z - with respect to the origin (or origin of parent object container)

      • X: X-distance value

      • Y: Y-distance value

      • Z: Z-distance value

  • Label: User-provided name of the object (UTF-8)

Depth

  • Clearance Height: The height needed to clear clamps and obstructions

  • Final Depth: Final Depth of Tool- lowest value in Z

  • Finish Depth: Maximum material removed on final pass. The height (thickness) of the last cutting level - set for a better finish.

  • Safe Height: The height above which Rapid motions are allowed. (Rapid safety height between locations)

  • Start Depth: Starting depth of Tool - first cut depth in Z

  • Step Down: Incremental step down of Tool during operation

Path DepthsAndHeights

Visual reference for Depth properties (settings)

Extension

  • Extension Corners: When enabled connected extension edges are combined to wires.

  • Extension Length Default: Default length of extensions.

Face

  • Offset Pattern: Clearing pattern to use. (Select in which manner the horizontal movements should be done.)

Path

  • Active: Make False, to prevent operation from generating code

  • Comment: An optional comment for this Operation

  • User Label: User assigned label

  • Tool Controller: Defines the Tool controller used in the Operation

Pocket

  • Cut Mode: Specifies a CW or CCW move for the cut

  • Extra Offset: Extra offset to apply to the operation. Direction is operation dependent. (Extra value to stay away from final profile good for roughing toolpath)

  • Min Travel: Use 3D Sorting of Path (when multiple base geometries used).

  • Retract Threshold: Distance below which the operation can stay down for repositioning moves. A value of 0 disables this behavior. introduced in 26.3: This replaces Keep Tool Down.

  • Start At: Start pocketing at center or boundary.

  • Step Over: Select the horizontal step over (Percent of tool diameter: 100% = tool diameter).

  • Use Outline: Uses the outline of the base geometry.

  • Angle: Angle of the clearing pattern relative to the X-axis. This property was formerly named Zig Zag Angle. It is hidden when Offset Pattern is set to Offset.

  • SortingMode: Controls how multiple selected base geometries are ordered. Automatic uses automatic sorting. Manual follows the selection order.

Rotation

  • Attempt Inverse Angle: Automatically attempt Inverse Angle if initial rotation is incorrect.

  • B_Axis Error Override: Visually orient B(y) rotations to model (error in FreeCAD rendering).

  • Enable Rotation: Enable rotation to gain access to pockets or areas not normal to Z axis.

  • Inverse Angle: Inverse the angle of the rotation. *Example:* change a rotation from -22.5 to 22.5 degrees.

  • Reverse Direction: Reverse orientation of Operation by 180 degrees.

Start Point

  • Start Point: The start point of this path.

  • Use Start Point: Make True, if manually specifying a Start Point, then enter Start Points in the property data Start Points field.

Tasks Window Editor Layout

Descriptions for the settings are provided in the Properties list above.

This section is simply a layout map of the settings in the window editor for the Operation.

Base Geometry

  • Add: Adds selected element(s) which should be the base(s) for the path(s)

  • Delete: Delete the selected item(s) in the Base Geometry list

  • Clear: Clear all items in the Base Geometry list

Extensions

  • Show All: If selected, all potential extensions are visualized. Enabled extensions in purple, disabled extensions in yellow.

  • Extension Corners

  • Extension Length Default

  • Enable

  • Disable

  • Clear

Depths

  • Start Depth

  • Final Depth

  • Step Down

Heights

  • Safe Height

  • Clearance Height

Operation

  • Tool Controller

  • Cut Mode

  • Pattern (Offset Pattern)

  • Angle

  • Step Over Percent (Step Over)

  • Pass Extension: The distance the facing operation will extend beyond the boundary shape (base geometry)

Scripting

See also: FreeCAD Scripting Basics.

#Place code example here.