Hi Joerg,

re:
> The problem is that I'm looking for a solution that is also working for closed curves that were
> designed with a Freeform line. Here the the line behind the outline needs to be a child of
> the outline. Next line needs to be a child of the first child, etc.

Do you have an example drawing of this type?


> I had in mind that such a function was/is existing in MoI or as script from Max Smirnov.

There is an OffsetMultiStep script here:
https://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=4898.19

But it isn't very much like a continuous spiral.

- Michael

If you can figure out how to get the coords for your path, you can use a point file and import point file as polylines to generate the path

Maybe with more discussion we can get a result for you.

Like basically these points can be generated easily by my CAM software with a pocketing operation

Must be a bunch of free options available to do this

There is even a guy in this forum trying to develop a "toolpath" plugin!

Here is a 5x5 spiral pocket i got in about 45 seconds by asking google ai a couple questions

I'll post the questions next

started with

"generate a 5x5 pocket with a .5 endmill outside to center coordinates text file""

google respnse

A 5x5-inch square pocket centered at X0, Y0 with a 0.5-inch endmill requires a 5.5-inch total programmed width to account for the tool's diameter on the outside edges. The stepover is typically set to 40% (0.2 inches) to clear the material.

Paste the following coordinate file (saved as a .txt or .nc file) into your conversational CNC software or CAD/CAM post-processor to generate the pocket:

google ai has an "ask anything right below its responses now

next i enter

"remove all gcode values"

response is

Here are the raw coordinates for a 5x5-inch square pocket using a 0.5-inch endmill, formatted as pure text with all G-codes, line numbers, and remarks removed.

The coordinates trace the toolpath from the outermost boundary (-2.75 to +2.75) inward to the center at X0, Y0, using a 0.2-inch stepover:

Next i enter

"spiral pocket"

and the response

Here are the raw coordinates for a 5x5-inch square pocket using a 0.5-inch endmill, formatted as a continuous inward spiral.

This toolpath starts at the outermost top-left corner (-2.75, 2.75) and spirals tightly inward toward the center (0,0) using a 0.2-inch stepover, keeping constant tool engagement:

last ask

"remove all x and y"

and the response which generated the attached file

Here are the raw coordinates for the spiral pocket with all letters, spaces, and G-codes removed, leaving only the bare numeric values:

So the next question is can you provide the search with your "custom shape", closed contour, and generate the same results!

The result

Hi Michael,

I think the OffsetMultiStep script was the script I had in mind, reading about it more than 10 years ago. But I thought that this one would create a spiral...

But I tested the script and it is helping a lot to create a bunch of curves, especially when the number of curves gets double-digit or more.

I attached an example of a non-standard outline created with the Freeform tool.

BR
Joerg

Hi BurrMan,

using a CAM software is a good idea if the software is able to create a bare spiral. I followed your proposal and tested different toolpaths created by different milling strategies. The best result is attached (blue lines). But the CAM software is not creating a spiral and is automatically doing S-linking between the different offset lines. There is no option to get the CAM not doing that.

BR, Joerg