How to use the fluting toolpath in Vectric software | 2.5D Toolpaths

Overview

This tutorial demonstrates how to create and apply the Fluting toolpath (a 2.5D toolpath) in Vectric Aspire/Recarve. It covers basic flute creation, ramp type options, vector start-point alignment, and combining fluting with a pocket toolpath for a chopping board project.

Steps

1. Create a new file
   Go to File → Create New File. Set width to 24, height to 6, material thickness to 0.25, then click OK.

2. Draw the flute vectors

   • Select the Draw Polyline tool.
   • Enter X = 4, Y = 1.5, then click Add.
   • Enter X = 20, Y = 1.5, then click Add to finish the line.
   • With the vector selected, use Array Copy to create 3 rows, 1 column with a Y offset of 1.5.

3. Enter the Toolpath menu and check material setup

   • Switch to the toolpath workspace.
   • Verify material thickness, XY datum, Z zero plane, and clearance/plunge values are correct for your machine.

4. Create the Fluting toolpath

   • Select the three vectors.
   • Open Fluting Toolpath from the toolpath menu.
   • Set Flute depth (e.g., 0.2).
   • Choose a tool – in the example, a 1/4“ ball nose.
   • Configure the Flute type:
     • Ramp over complete length – ramps from 0 to full depth along the entire vector.
     • Ramp at start – ramps over a defined length or percentage, then reaches full depth.
     • Ramp at start and end – ramps in and out; with 25%, the middle 50% is at full depth.
   • For the basic example, select Smooth ramp type and click Calculate. Preview the toolpath.

5. Open the chopping board example

   • Close the current file.
   • Open Existing File and select the cutting board flute vectors file.
   • Switch to 3D view to inspect the vectors.

6. Align vector start points

   • The outline is made of two separate vectors.
   • Enter Node Editing mode.
   • Check each vector’s start point. For the chopping board, start points should be on the left so the flute is shallow on the left and deep on the right.
   • Right-click the unwanted start node → Make Start Point if needed.
   • Exit node editing.

7. Apply fluting to the chopping board

   • Select all vectors except the pocket vector.
   • In the Fluting toolpath form:
     • Set Start depth = 0.05.
     • Set Flute depth = 0.25.
     • Use a 1/2“ ball nose.
     • Select Ramp over complete length.
     • Set Ramp type = Linear.
   • Name the toolpath, click Calculate, and preview.

8. Create the pocket toolpath

   • The pocket vector is slightly larger than the flute vectors because fluting cuts on the line.
   • Open the Pocket toolpath form.
   • Set Cut depth = 0.3.
   • Add two tools:
     1. 1/4“ end mill – clears the bulk of the pocket.
     2. 1/2“ ball nose – the same tool used for fluting, to clean up the edges.
   • For the end mill, edit settings if needed (e.g., pass depth) to match material properties.
   • Reorder tools by selecting and using the up/down buttons if necessary.
   • Click Calculate and preview each toolpath separately to see the clearing and finishing passes.

Key Points / Warnings

• Always verify material setup, clearance, plunge rate, and Z gap with test cuts before running on your machine.
• Fluting toolpath cuts on the vector line – account for tool diameter when designing adjacent features such as pockets.
• Start point orientation controls where the shallow/deep end of the flute appears. Use node editing to set start points correctly.
• Ramp options:
  • Ramp over complete length – depth gradually increases from 0 to the flute depth.
  • Ramp at start – ramps only at the beginning, then cuts at full depth.
  • Ramp at start and end – ramps in and out, with full depth in the middle.
• Ramp type: Linear produces a straight angled cut; Smooth produces a curved, gradual transition.
• When using multiple tools in a pocket toolpath, the software automatically places finishing tools last, but you can manually reorder them.