FIGURE 2-12
A pocket cut
TOOLPATHS
POCKET TOOLPATH
A pocket toolpath cuts on the inside of a
closed line or shape, removing all the material
within the pocket (the recessed, cleared area)
to a user-specified depth. Pocket cuts have
vertical sides and a flat bottom. They’re used
for anything from joinery to decorative details
and many applications in between. It’s also
commonly referred to as clearing a pocket
and pocketing.
FIGURE 2-13
CNC drilling
DRILL TOOLPATH
Drill toolpaths cause the CNC to operate like a
drill press, plunging the end mill vertically into
the material. Drilling creates a hole that corre-
sponds to the diameter of the tool, which
means it’s not a good choice for creating
dimensionally accurate fastener holes—use
inside profiles instead. Peck drilling is when
the tool drills to a specified depth, then raises
up to clear the chips, and then plunges again,
repeating the sequence until the hole is cut.
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DESIGN FOR CNC
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