The Location of Cut Geometry can be set to At Top (top Z level), At Bottom (bottom Z level) or Pick Top (specifying the Z location) by entering a Z value location or by selecting the pick button and selecting the point on the part.

At Top

This uses the Z location of the selected Machining Feature/Region as the top of cut. The generated cuts will start at this Z location and cut down in Z to the specified total cut depth. At Top is typically used when you select the top edge as your machining region. Feature/Region at Top Feature/Region at Top - Toolpath

At Bottom

This uses the Z location of the selected Machining Feature/Region as the bottom of cut. The generated cuts will be above the selected machining region and last cut would be at the Z location of the specified region. At Bottom is typically used when you select a pocket bottom at your machining region. 2½ Axis Facing Operation Examples: Feature/Region at Bottom Feature/Region at Bottom - Toolpath

Pick Top

This allows you to specify the Top of Cut for the selected Machining Feature/Region and is typically used when the selected region is not at top or bottom. The generated cuts will start at this specified Z location and cut down in Z to the specified total cut depth. This would be useful when the selected machining region is at the bottom edge of a fillet or chamfer. When two or more curves are selected as Machining Features/ Regions, and using Pick Top for Location of Cut Geometry, sets the Top of cut for all regions at the same Z level. 2½ Axis Facing Operation Examples: Feature/Region pick Top Feature/Region pick Top - Toolpath

The Cut Depth Control section provides controls for defining the depth of the cut. First define the Total Cut Depth.  Then, enter the Rough Depth and Finish Depth values.  You can then define the Depth per Cut for both Rough and Finish passes by entering values.

Total Cut Depth

Enter the Total Cut Depth or select the Pick button and select two points on your part.  The depth will be calculated automatically and added to this dialog.  Refer to the illustration below for reference.  You can then divide this into a Rough Depth and Finish Depth.

Total Cut Depth

Rough Depth

The Total Cut Depth can be divided into a Rough Depth and a Finish Depth.  Enter the Rough Depth here.  Refer to the illustration below for reference.

Rough Depth

Finish Depth

The Total Cut Depth can be divided into a Rough Depth and a Finish Depth.  Enter the Finish Depth here.  Refer to the illustration below for reference.

Finish Depth

Rough Depth/Cut

The Rough Depth can be divided into a multiple depths.  Enter the Rough Depth/Cut here.

Rough Depth/Cut

Select this icon to assign the Cut Depth value that is defined by the tool that is currently active for this operation. Note: This icon will ONLY appear in this dialog if the currently active tool has a Cut Depth value assigned to it.  Edit the tool definition if desired.

Finish Depth/Cut

The Finish Depth can also be divided into a multiple depths.  Enter the Finish Depth/Cut here.

Finish Depth/Cut

Select this icon to assign the Cut Depth value that is defined by the tool that is currently active for this operation. Note: This icon will ONLY appear in this dialog if the currently active tool has a Cut Depth value assigned to it.  Edit the tool definition if desired.

Check this box to insert an extra cut level at the top of any inner islands or connected step regions.

Clear Island Tops

When checked, the bottom most level of the part is detected and cut levels will be added to this depth level. Only the Finish Depth needs to be specified. The Rough Depth is automatically determined.

Order the Cut Levels in this operation so that the entire Z depth of each feature is machined before moving on to the next feature.

Depth First

Order the Cut Levels in this operation so that all regions in a single Z level are machined first before moving on to machine the next cut level.

Levels First