MILL Module > Creating 2½ Axis Operations > Roughing

The following Cut Levels tab is displayed for the Roughing and Finishing operations listed below. In this tab, Stepdown, Cut Level and Ordering parameters can be specified. Some or all of these parameters are supported by the following operations listed below.

•Please note that some features on this dialog are only available in certain operation types and product configurations.

Similar for these Operations:

Adaptive Roughing, 3 Axis

Roughing, 2½ Axis

Horizontal Roughing, 3 Axis

Horizontal Re-Roughing, 3 Axis

Horizontal Finishing, 3 Axis

Steeps Z (Horizontal Hill) Machining, 3 Axis

Steeps Z Finishing, 3 Axis

R-Level Roughing, 4 Axis

R-Level Finishing, 4 Axis

Dialog Box: Cut Levels tab

Dialog Box: Cut Levels tab, 3 & 4 Axis Roughing Operations

Stepdown Control (dZ)

This section allows you to define the spacing between the horizontal cut levels for the roughing operation. The spacing can be specified either % Tool Diameter, a specific Distance or as the total Number of Levels desired.

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.

Minimize Start Steps (Available in PRO & PRE Configurations Only, Not available for all 3 Axis Operations)

Note: This feature is not available on all 2 Axis operations. Check this box to enable Step Minimization Roughing and then enter a value for the % (idZ) field. For example if your Stepdown Control (dZ) is set to 50% you can enable this option and enter 25% for the (idZ) field and extra cut levels will be added, similar to re-machining but with the same tool. * Please note that this feature is only available in PRO & PRE Configurations.

Step Minimization Roughing

Off

Use Diatance as Specified

The actual calculated cut depth for each cut level may vary depending on the total cut depth. You can check this box to force each cut levels to be the exact value specified in this dialog beginning at the top of the cut.

Only available in:

•Facing, 2½ Axis

•Pocketing, 2½ Axis

•Profiling, 2½ Axis

Cut Levels Ordering

This section allows you to order the cut regions. The order of cutting can either be specified as Level First or Depth First.

Level First
In the level first option cut regions are ordered such that all cut regions in a single Z level or machined first before the next cut level is machined.

Level First

Depth First
In the depth first option, the regions in successive Z regions that form a single pocket or machining feature are machined first before the next such feature is machined.

Depth First

Cut Levels

This section allows you to optionally specify the top and bottom cut levels.

Top (T)
If the top cut level is not specified, the maximum Z value of the stock model is used as the start Z value for computing the cut levels. Specify the Z Level value or use the Pick button. The Z level of the selected geometry will be used.

Top (T), 2 & 3 Axis

Top (T), 4 Axis

Bottom (B)
If the bottom cut level is not specified then the minimum Z value of the stock model is used as the end Z value for the cut levels. Specify the Z Level value or use the Pick button. The Z level of the selected geometry will be used.

Bottom (B), 2 & 3 Axis

Bottom (B), 4 Axis

Clear Flats (F)
You can also optionally tell the system to clear flat areas automatically. If this is chosen then the system will insert a cut level when it detects a flat area in the part model. The spacing of the next lower cut level will then continue from this cut level.

Clear Flats (F), 2 & 3 Axis

Clear Flats (F), 4 Axis