Path Walkthrough for the Impatient

    From FreeCAD Documentation
    Freecad.svg Tutorial
    Topic
    Path Workbench
    Level
    Beginner/Moderate
    Time to complete
    15 minutes
    Authors
    Chrisb
    FreeCAD version
    0.19
    Example files
    See also
    None

    Aim

    Demonstrating the creation of a Workbench Path.svg Path Workbench Job derived from a 3D Model. Then generating dialect-correct G-Code for a target CNC mill.

    The 3D Model

    1. The Project begins with a simple FreeCAD model designed in the Workbench PartDesign.svg Part Design a cube with a rectangular pocket,

    Path-SquarePocketModel.png

    Above: Created in the Workbench PartDesign.svg Part Design including a Body, a Box with a Pocket, based on a Sketch oriented in the View-top.svg XY plane.

    2. With the 3D Model completed, switch to the Workbench Path.svg Path Workbench via the Workbench selector (drop-down menu)

    The Job

    3. Now we create a Path Job by either of the following methods:

    • Press the Path Job.svg Job button from the toolbar.
    • Using the P then J keyboard shortcut.
    • Using the Path → Job entry from the top menu.

    Path-JobCreationDialog.png

    Above: Path Job creation dialog

    4. This opens a Job creation dialog. Within this dialog, click OK to accept the Body as the Base Model, with no Template.

    Job Setup

    5. The Job Edit window opens in the Task window, and the model view Window shows the Stock as a wire frame cube surrounding the Base Body. The Setup Tab is selected.

    Job Output

    6. The Output tab defines the output file path, name, extension, and the Postprocessor. For advanced users, Post Processor Arguments can be customized (mouse over to show tooltips of common arguments).

    Path-JobOutput.png

    Above: Path Job Edit dialog with the Output tab selected

    Job Tools

    Path-JobTools.png

    Above: Path Job Edit dialog with the Tools tab selected

    7. Modify the Default tool by selecting it and clicking the Edit button. This opens the Tool Controller edit window.

    Path-ToolConfig.gif

    Above: Path Job Tool Controller subpanel Edit dialog

    8. The name given to the tool and the tool number correspond with the tool number of the machine. In the dialog (see above) it's Tool Nr. 4. The tool controller is configured for horizontal and vertical feed rates of 2mm/s and a spindle speed of 2000 rpm.

    9. Select the Tool subpanel of the Tool controller. Set the diameter (and if you wish to use the Path Simulator.svg Path Simulation tool later: add a cutting edge angle and cutting edge height).

    Path-ToolAdd.gif

    Above: Path Job Tool controller 'Tool' subpanel dialog

    10. The values are confirmed with OK

    Note: For easy access, all the tools can be predefined and selected from the Path ToolLibraryEdit.svgTool manager.

    Job Workplan

    The Workplan tab initially is shown as empty. It is then populated by the sequence of Job Operations, Partial Path Commands, and Path Dressups. The sequence of these items is ordered here.

    This tree is shown after the Job's configuration once the Path Job is unfolded:

    Path-TreeWithJob.png

    The Path Operations

    11. Two operations will be added to generate milling paths for this Path Job. The Profile operation creates a path around the box and the Pocket operation creates a path for the inner pocket.

    12. For now we will keep it simple. The Path Profile.svg Profile button opens the Contour panel. After confirming with OK using the default values, see the green path around the object is visible.

    13. Selecting the bottom of the pocket and then the Path Pocket Shape.svg Pocket button opens the Pocket Shape window. The default values for Base Geometry, Depths, and Heights are used, and the Operation subpanel is selected, and the Step Over Percent is set at 50.

    Path-PocketOperation.gif

    Above: Pocket Shape dialog with the Operation subpanel selected

    14. The pattern is changed to "Offset" and the Job Operation is confirmed for the pocket configuration with OK

    The result is a model with two paths:

    Path-WalkThroughResult.gif

    Above: resulting with a model with two paths

    Verifying Paths

    There are two ways to verify the created paths. The G-Code can be inspected, including highlighting the corresponding path segments. The milling process of the Path Job can also be simulated to demonstrate the idealized tool paths, required for the Tool geometries to mill the Stock.

    To inspect the G-Code use the Path Inspect.svg Path Inspect tool. Selecting the corresponding G-Code lines within the G-Code Inspection window highlights individual path segments.

    Path-InspectWindow.gif

    Above: Path Inspection tool opens the G-Code Inspection dialog

    To start the simulation use the Path Simulator.svg Path Simulator tool.

    Adjust speed and accuracy and start the simulation with the Path BPlay.svg (Play) button.

    Path-Simulation.gif

    Above: Path Simulation in progress

    If you want to end the simulation click the Cancel button, it will remove the stock created for the simulation. If you click OK this object will be kept in your Job.

    Postprocess the Job

    The final step to generate G-Code for the target mill is to postprocess the Job. This outputs the G-Codes to a file that can be uploaded to the target CNC machine controller. To invoke the Postprocessor:

    • Select the Job object in the tree view
    • Select the Path Post.svg Path Postprocessing tool to postprocess the file. This opens a G-Code window allowing inspection of the final output file before it is saved.
    Path-PostOutput.gif

    Above: G-Code window allowing inspection of the final output file