FreeCAD CAM Ep. 15 || Creating a custom toolbit || Path Workbench

Please support me on Patreon: / opensourcecnc
In this episode I am talking about one of the most interesting parts of the path workbench (cam workbench), that is how to create a custom toolbit.
I explain where to save the files on windows, to avoid getting the file not found error. I also show what you can do for now using the custom toolbit and what are it's limitations.

[@superdau]

I don't know if you thought about it, but in case someone doesn't want to change the model (like removing the fillet) just to fit the bit, which should always be the last resort IMHO. There are several other ways to get around the filleted pocket done:
• Create a* pocket operation* for the pocket bottom face, but then set a *negative number for "Pass Extension"* in the operation's properties. With that the tool can be made to cut up to, but not including, half the tool diameter "outside" of the bottom face (i. e. for a 10mm diameter tool, the "Path Extension" can be at most -4.99)
• almost the same can be done with a *"Face" operation* . The Parameter is called *"Material Allowance"* instead (or very confusingly "Extra Offset" in property view) and has to be positive instead of negative. Also the "Boundary Shape" has to be set to "Face Region"
• Create a *pocket operation* for the pocket bottom face without any special parameters (which will lead to the pocket being too small as in the video). Then add a *profile operation* for the bottom face. It also has an *"Extra Offset"* parameter, which can be set to any value (not limited to half the tool diameter). You set that to the negative of the fillet width.
• Select the *vertical* faces of the pocket as the "Base Geometry" for a pocket operation. The pocket will not be deep enough, which can be easily fixed by changing the *"Final Depth"* of the operation.
The first two are the fastest, but also most limited. The third one the most versatile, but two operations you have to keep in sync. The last one is the most tedious when it comes to selecting the faces, if the pocket has a complicated shape, but also the "safest" because the necessary offsets are calculated by FreeCAD (even when you change the tool).

[@opensourcecnc]

Great! All those ways are good ways if you don't want to change the model. That's what I love about FreeCAD: for anything there are at least a few ways of doing things in order to get to the same result.
I might add that instead of selecting the side faces for the profile, you can select the top perimeter and change the final depth (using the+0.02 mm hack). This way you don't need to add any extra offset, it's a simple profile with just the final depth changed.
I'm still waiting for the moment when TH-cam allows for adding to a video, there are so many things I would change...