Odd question that I haven’t seen an answer for. I am trying to get my spoilboard set up. Started drilling the holes for the t-nuts but find that they are too small. I created my file in inkscape and I’m using a .5 pt line size. What size is everyone else using? I’m curious if my line size is causing the issue.
-Ryan J.
The physical line size you use in your drawing application shouldn’t matter. SVG and DXF both remove all the fill from lines and leaves them as only the outline.
The CAM software you use will ask you if you want it to cut along the inside of the line or the outside. The width of the cut is then determined by the width of your end mill.
If you are doing a ‘pocket’ on a hole, then it should remove all the material inside the line. If your holes are coming out too small, then make sure your CAM software isn’t setup with a ‘stock to leave’ and is expecting you to run a finishing pass.
What CAM software are you using?
What software are you using to make the SVG/DXF ?
What size End Mill are you using?
What type of CAM operation are you using to make your holes ? (drill, pocket, contour, etc)
EstlCAM, Inkscape, 6.35mm, Helical drill.
I didn’t think about the stock to leave, although I’m sure it’s at 0 in the operation. I’ll double check that.
Checked and finishing stock is set at 0. I did notice that my end mill was setup like an engraving bit in that it was set at a 90 degree tip instead of 180. That wouldn’t make a difference though, would it?
No. That shouldn’t.
I haven’t used helical drilling, so not even sure what the menu looks like or the options you have available there.
Inkscape has two options for how something is measured in relation to the line thickness. Choose
Edit > Preferences > Tools > Geometric bounding box to measure from the center of any line, regardless of its width.
Visual bounding box includes the width of the line in the measurement. So Inkscape says this box is now 1.125 for its size.
Well looky there. I changed that setting and sure enough all of my holes are now smaller. This is likely the same problem I’ve been having when using my laser cutter. All of my holes are slightly undersized.
Thanks for the tip.
