CAM Waterline

This is an unfinished experimental feature. Enable Experimental Features

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CAM Waterline

Menu location
CAM → Waterline
Workbenches
CAM
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
0.19
See also
None

Description

The tool Waterline creates a new Waterline operation. As of 0.19_pre, the operation works on the entire model to generate G-code for the Job. Currently, within the operation's settings there is no functionality to select specific areas, faces, or regions of the model.

The Waterline operation has two algorithms: OCL Drop Cutter and Experimental.

Note : In order to use the Waterline operation you must:

  1. Properly install OpenCamLib.
  2. Enable Experimental Features for the CAM Workbench.
  3. Check Edit → Preferences... → CAM → Advanced → Enable OCL dependent features.

Usage

Usage instructions for multiple variations of the Waterline operation are presented here.

Basic Operation

  1. Press the Waterline icon, or select the Waterline tool from the CAM menu.
  2. Select the tool controller for the Operation from the Tool controller dialogue pop up window.
  3. Adjust the operation depths as needed in the Depths tab: Start Depth, Final Depth, Step Down.
  4. Make adjustments in Heights tab if needed.
  5. Configure settings in the Operations tab based on the Algorithm selected:
    1. OCL Dropcutter
      1. Choose the BoundBox: Stock or BaseBoundBox.
      2. Set the Layer Mode: Single-pass or Multi-pass.
      3. Set the Sample Interval used for the OCL scan.
    2. Experimental
      1. Choose the BoundBox: Stock or BaseBoundBox.
      2. Set the Layer Mode: Single-pass or Multi-pass.
      3. Set the Cut Pattern if clearing is desired at each layer.
      4. Set the Boundary Adjustment (material allowance).
  6. If you wish to preview the result before accepting the settings, click Apply
  7. Click OK button to confirm and generate paths.

To achieve different, or more complex, effects, adjust additional operation properties within the Data tab of the Properties View for the operation.

Notes About Experimental Algorithm

Available Tool (Cutter) Shapes

When using the OCL Dropcutter algorithm, the Waterline operation uses OpenCamLib [OCL|OCL] to extract paths from the part base. As such, a tool translation is required between the FreeCAD tool controller and OCL in order to complete the scan with your chosen tool(cutter) shape. These tool shapes are(should be) respected and available for the OCL Dropcutter so long as the built-in tool shapes are used, whether Legacy or ToolBit tools:

Additional Notes

Properties

Note : Not all of these Properties are available in the Task Window Editor. Some are only accessible in the Data tab of the Properties View panel for this Operation.

Base

Note: It is suggested that you do not edit the Placement property of path operations. Rather, move or rotate the CAM Job model as needed.

Clearing Options

Depth

Path

Start Point

Tasks Window Editor Layout

Descriptions for the settings are provided in the Properties list above.

This section is simply a layout map of the settings in the window editor for the Operation.

Base Location

Depths

Heights

Operation

~Visibility changes with other settings.

Resources