Profiling, 2½ Axis
2 Axis Profiling is a toolpath method that employs regions and can be used either as a pre-finishing operation or as a finishing operation. These regions are treated as the tops of vertical walls spanning from the Z values of the regions down to your specified cut depth.
This system does not consider any part surface geometry during computation. The tool types commonly used in this method are Flat End Mills. The operation cuts in parallel XY planes until the desired depth is reached.
As the cutter follows these horizontal planes, it can maintain a climb, conventional o mixed cut direction.
 2½ Axis Profiling |
The Profiling toolpath method is invoked by selecting the Program tab and clicking on the 2½ Axis Profiling operation menu selection.  2½ Axis Profiling Menu Item |
Here is a typical 2 Axis Profiling operation dialog with the Cut Parameters tab selected.  Cut Parameters Tab, 2 Axis Profiling |