Dynamic Thinking Webinar- 3D Surfacing and Smoothing

Tolerances, Arc Filters, Smoothing - What does it mean? What are the best settings to use? Let's break down what each of those is doing and discuss then when, why, and most importantly how to use each of them.
For more information regarding the Dynamic Thinking series please visit our website at www.mastercam.com/dynamic-thi...

[@Pavelski_on]

Great video. I am using Mastercam 5 years and have been wondering how each of these parameters are effecting my toolpath. Finally I got my answer. Keep going with such videos.

[@donjones7232]

Great content and explanation. I have been missing out on understanding the smoothing refinement.

[@brandonrenwick9125]

excellent video, took in lot from this one!

[@randybehm6631]

Had to rewatch a couple times to fully understand the differences. Would you ever use both Line/Arc and Smoothing together? in the examples shown you either used one or the other.

[@mastercam]

Hey Randy! The Arc Filter and the Smoothing are doing two different alterations to the native path. The Arc Filter is going to try to turn as much of the path as it can over to arcs. Even if a straight line is the proper path. The Smoothing is just looking to smooth out the sharper, more abrupt transitions between moves. That being said, yes you can run both, but it is slightly counter productive. The Arc Filter is already doing a lot of smoothing by turning the path into arcs (even though this is going to deviate more from the native toolpath). The Smoothing would only clip and modify the "high spots" of the native toolpath.

[@farhad64it]

when you dividing the total tolerance between the Arc Filter and Smoothing setting, should the cut tolerances always be bigger than the other two?

[@mastercam]

The answer really needs to be broken down into what you are trying to achieve. In a general statement, yes generally the Cut tolerance should be less than the line/arc filter tolerance and the smoothing tolerance. However, if you are trying to apply a Dynamic Roughing toolpath, and you are trying to really reduce the amount of points/lines of code. In that case, you could open the Filter tolerance up more. You could lose control over the step over and this could be dangerous based on the cut condition. The same could be said about semi-finishing and you are trying to smooth out the facets but also leaving stock and not worrying about being as accurate to the shape. Then you could increase the smoothing tolerance and it will smooth those high points of the facets. But again, you could be less accurate.

[@josha9620]

What tool path did you actually run on this part?

[@mastercam]

Hey Josh! This part was programmed with the Equal Scallop Toolpath.

[@josha9620]

I believe I seen scallop at the end of the video

[@lpadro3]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!! I could kiss you!!

[@policebox1092]

good

[@trido6061]

like the Q&A, but the introduction is too long. repeating easy concept but not giving many critical points.