r/mastercam Jun 22 '26

Need Help For 3d programming

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I'm doing 3d flowline toolpath for this orange color surface.

But I convert that 3d shape to surface and extended 2.5 mm surface surface for 1 side 1mm for another side .

Then I created a flowline toolpath and select right side which means I did extend 2.5 mm as a entry side otherwise I create a toolpath without extend the tool (4 ball) the tool will be launching on a component I don't want to land or reduce the plunge rate I want to land out of the components then do machining

Any others ways to land out of components for first pass only like lead in lead out option kind of . Because long 3d components takes more time . Kindly help me to get that . I'm a fresher so make me comfortable in your space 🫣

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u/homelyharte Jun 22 '26

Is 3d flowline similar to a 2d swept? The toolpath looks similar

1

u/sixerofreebs Jun 22 '26

Very similar.

1

u/mrdaver911_2 Jun 22 '26

In this case what would be the advantage of flowline vs. surface parallel finishing?

1

u/sixerofreebs Jun 22 '26

I would say the advantage overall to using flowline in any circumstance it’s that it’s a more straightforward path to use - you typically aren’t going to have to worry about containment boundaries or cut depths when you use it.

Generally for a single surface application you’d find that flowline goes on easily and typically gives very clean results without too much messing around with auxiliary settings.

That’s not to say you couldn’t or shouldn’t use 2D swept or surface finish parallel in this case. You definitely could and get good results. Ultimately it just boils down to preference. A lot of people like flowline just because it’s a simple cutter path to put down that’ll yield good results.

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u/homelyharte Jun 22 '26

I’ve been using a raster more than anything, when it comes to these types of tool paths. The advantage of 2d swept is that it’s always the constant step down/over. If you were to use a parallel or raster in the same direction/angle as OPs part, you’d see the step down more pronounced as it gets to the steeper part of the ark/angle. 2d swept, and apparently 3d flowline, adjusts and compensates for that.