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Basic settings

  • Clearance plane:
    • This is distance between part surface and tool tip while moving from one toolpath to another...
    • Your machine has no eyes - you need to make sure your tool is able to run over any obstacle like e.g. clamping claws without crashing into it...

     
  • Milling direction:
    • Conventional milling is usually the best option for hobby machines...
    • Climb milling will result in tighter tolerances, longer tool life and improved surface finish if your machine is very stiff - if not the extreme opposite will happen. (You should consider your machine to be "soft" unless it weighs a ton or more)...

     
  • Origin Z-Axis:
    • By default Z-axis origin is at part surface but you can change it to machine bed / part bottom...
    • Both has its advantages and drawbacks:
      • Part surface:
        • It is usually simple to touch off the parts surface while setting up the machine...
        • Also Estlcam won't need to query material thickness...
        • All depth values will be precise in relation to the surface - material thickness tolerances won't affect shallow engravings...
        • However: you'll need a spoilboard and intentionally cut a bit too deep if you like to cut things out - otherwise you'll damage your machine bed if the material is thinner than expected or the part won't be cut out completely if the material is thicker...
      • Machine bed: may be useful in a few situations:
        • If you absolutely don't want to use a spoilboard for cutting things out. In this case you need to touch off your machine bed because otherwise you'll either damage your machine or incompletely cut your part depending on material thickness tolerances. However: I'd always prefer using a spoilboard - if your tool tip edge is even slightly rounded your parts will have a large burr on the downside...
        • You need to change tools after the original surface has been completely milled away...
        • You're using automatic tool length sensors so touching off the surface would be an unnecessary additional step...

     
  • Length and feed units:
    • You can set Estlcam to your preferred length and feed unit...
    • But be sure the "export" units match the units expected by your CNC controller...

     

Christian Knüll / Heidelbergerstr. 6 / 74746 Höpfingen / Deutschland / christian@estlcam.de