Intol

The global Intol value refers to the inward tolerance.  This is the maximum thickness of material that can be removed from the Stock layer.

Intol

Outtol

The global Intol value refers to the inward tolerance.  This is the maximum thickness of material that can be removed from the Stock layer.

Intol

How to Increase Tool Path Accuracy Tolerances play a vital role in both design engineering and digital manufacturing.  In design, the goal is to allow the broadest tolerance range possible while meeting your design specifications. This is because, generally speaking, there is a direct correlation between tighter tolerances and higher manufacturing costs. Read the full article...

Stock  

This is the thickness of the layer that will remain on top of the part after the toolpath is complete. Roughing operations generally leave a thin layer of stock.  For finishing operations this value is zero.

Stock

Select Offset and the tool will traverse in successive uniform offsets of the part shape starting from the Inside or Outside depending on the Start Point selection.

Offset

Island Offset

Select Linear and the tool will traverse in a Linear cut beginning at the Top or Bottom depending on the Start Point selection.

Linear

Select Climb (Down Cut) and the tool will be maintained in a downward motion into the stock.

Climb (Down Cut)

Select Conventional (Up Cut) and the direction of the tool will be maintained in an upward motion out of the stock.

Conventional (Up Cut)

Select Mixed and the direction of cutting is alternated between each parallel plane.  This is a mixture of both Climb and Conventional cutting of the stock.

Mixed

Understanding Climb vs Conventional Milling One of the basic concepts to understand in any milling operation is Cut Direction.  It can be characterized by how the flutes of the cutting tool engage the stock material and form the chip that is removed during cutting. In many of MecSoft CAM’s 2½ & 3 Axis toolpath strategies you will see that Cut Direction is defined by selecting one of three options, Climb, Conventional or Mixed.  Let’s take a look at the characteristics of each option. Read the full article...

Select Offset Spiral and the tool will traverse in a spiral pattern with successive offsets of the part shape starting from the Inside or Outside depending on the Start Point selection.

Offset Spiral

Choose where you want the cut pattern to begin, Inside the pattern or Outside.

Inside

Outside

Select this option if you want the starting locating for the cut pattern to begin at the bottom of the cut pattern (i.e., min Y).

Start at Bottom

Specify the Angle of Cuts (0-360) measured from the X Axis.  This additional parameter is available for some operations when a linear cut pattern is used.

Automatically detect corners that the tool could not reach between cut level and add a toolpath based on the uncut area detected.  Either Linear or Offset cut patterns are used in these areas.

Cleanup Pass

No Cleanup Pass

Stepover Control

Specify the stepover distance for the current operation as a percentage of the active tool diameter (% Tool Dia) and then enter the percentage value.

% Tool Dia.

Specify the stepover for the current operation as an exact Distance and then enter the distance value in the field provided.

Distance

For Stepover Control, select Scallop and enter the desired scallop height in the field provided.  This will automatically determine the Stepover spacing between cuts.

Scallop Stepover

Stepdown Control (dZ)

This allows you to set the Stepdown Control (Dz) distance for the current operation as a percentage of the active tool selected for the operation.  Select % Tool Diameter and then enter the percentage value in the field provided.

Stepdown % Tool Diameter

Distance allows you to set the Stepdown Control (Dz) for the current operation as an absolute distance value.  Select Distance and then enter the stepdown distance to use.

Number of Levels allows you to set the Stepdown Control (dZ) distance for the current operation by entering the Number of Levels you want to use to remove the Stock.  The distance between cut levels will be calculated for you.