Configuration settings
The settings for any given project or cut will revolve around several parameters. However, in this section, let’s review some basic settings I use to smoke-test every workpiece.
End-mill diameter
You must always determine how much room your toolhead has to move between lines. If you have two cut lines that are very close to each other and the diameter of the end mill will span that gap, a design revision may be needed, or a revised selection of end mill or material will be necessary. Generally speaking, this will be apparent if you look at your toolpath and determine that two cut lines come too close together. Of course, the depth of your cut plays a role here as well. If we have a non-uniform end mill (where the cut width will change with the depth) then the toolpath is something to consider. For most of what I do, I stick with a few common bits for my 3018 machine and so I do not change the bit radius/diameter once I have set it. If I am using...