Pocketing

[first_newbie]

How can one pocket in a triangular or X fashion using Autodesk inventor.

[Jeremy Germita]

I really like this tutorial on pocketing: http://imgur.com/a/Qeuu7

It's written for Solidworks, but my students have been able to follow along in Inventor just fine.

[Dave McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Germita

I really like this tutorial on pocketing: http://imgur.com/a/Qeuu7

It's written for Solidworks, but my students have been able to follow along in Inventor just fine.

My only caution would be that pocketing/cheesing using patterned sketches can be difficult to edit if changes need to be made after the fact.

[first_newbie]

And this would be done through laser cutting? How would CNC or Waterjetting work for this? Is this the same process for box-tubing? Would you be able tp waterjet box tubing?

[Dave McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by first_newbie

And this would be done through laser cutting? How would CNC or Waterjetting work for this? Is this the same process for box-tubing? Would you be able tp waterjet box tubing?

CNC Milling, Water Jet Cutting, Laser/Plasma Cutting, CNC routing... all would work for this application. CNC Milling would be the best process IMO for box tubing, while you can cut box tubing on a water jet most often you have to use a piece of sacrificial material inside the tube to prevent the jet from cutting both sides at once. The top side will cut clean without the material inside, but the bottom will not come out as desired.

[Roboshant]

Originally Posted by Dave McLaughlin

CNC Milling, Water Jet Cutting, Laser/Plasma Cutting, CNC routing... all would work for this application. CNC Milling would be the best process IMO for box tubing, while you can cut box tubing on a water jet most often you have to use a piece of sacrificial material inside the tube to prevent the jet from cutting both sides at once. The top side will cut clean without the material inside, but the bottom will not come out as desired.

Could wood be used as the sacrificial material?

[Dave McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Roboshant

Could wood be used as the sacrificial material?

Depends on the thickness, but usually yes. We've cut 4x4 box tubing on a water jet using wood as sacrifice. The largest inconveniences end up being cutting the sacrifice to size to occupy the volume inside the tube, and getting the sacrifice out of the tubing as the wood will often swell up from being in water.

[cxcad]

For pocketing in general, I like 973 ramp video. Also just a great resource in general

[Dave McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by cxcad

For pocketing in general, I like 973 ramp video. Also just a great resource in general

I agree. They can be found here.