3D-Milling only the edges of a piece?

I now have this file:

Skateboard Mold Sliced-Slice-3.zip (20.5 KB)

It’s the third layer, so only the edges need to be machined, the rest of the board is flat (and should stay that way). If I calculate the toolpath, it not only machines the edges but the whole board, making it need around 3 hours while that is not needed at all. How can I tell Estlcam to not do that? :smiley:

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Use the STL Convert to 2D and then File > Edit drawing to save a mask DXF. For the STL Workspace select Mask and your saved file. Mask the whole board and then Unmask the ends.


skateboard mask.zip (70.6 KB)

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Okay, sorry, I have to ask: What do your edit your file with? Mine is opening in AutoCAD. Or am I doing something wrong? Can you do it more slowly for someone that does not get it? :smiley:

Figured it out now, but it’s everything but intuitive. :smiley: Thanks for your help.

Glad you got it. The default Estlcam generated 2D usually works as is, I had to edit the one I posted down to a rectangle and two arcs to get a mask that didn’t have some odd masked lines on the slopes… no edit needed w/ < v12.119

…I should note that three (previously working… < v12.119) out of four 3D to 2D conversions I’ve done in v12.123 are missing a perimeter line and do not work as masks (Christian emailed).

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