These parameters refer to the spindle on your machine.

Spindle Speed  

This is the rotational Speed (S) of the milling spindle expressed in RPM.

Spindle Direction (CW)  

This sets the spindle rotation to be Clockwise (CW).

Spindle Direction (CCW)  

This sets the spindle rotation Direction to be Counter Clockwise (CCW).

These are the feedrates (in Units/Min) that will be applied to the current toolpath operation.  If the values are currently populated from your Tool definition (Load from Tool), Feeds & Speeds table (Load from File) or from your Knowledge Base, you can override them for this operation.

Plunge (Pf)  

This is the rate is the feed before the tool starts to engage in material. This is always vertical.

Approach (Af)  

This is the Approach (Af) feedrate (in Units/Min) used to prepare the cutter just before it starts to Engage into material for cutting. Approach motions are dependent on the method of machining.

Engage (Ef)  

This is the Engage (Ef) feedrate (in Units/Min) used when the tool is Engaging the material just prior to cutting.

Cut (Cf)  

This is the Cut (Cf) feedrate (in Units/Min) used when the tool is Cutting material.

Retract (Rf)  

This is the Retract (Rf) feedrate (in Units/Min), when the tool is performing a Retract move away from material.

Departure (Df)  

The is the feedrate (in Units/Min), when the tool Departs from the material.

Transfer (Tf) Use Rapid  

This is the Transfer (Tf) feedrate (in Units/Min) used for Transfer motions.  If you select Use Rapid the posted G-Code will output a rapid motion (G0) with no feed rate. Note: For more accurate machining time estimates, use the Set option and enter the feed rate to use.

Transfer (Tf) Set  

This is the Transfer (Tf) feedrate (in Units/Min) used for Transfer motions.  Select Set to enter an actual feedrate value for rapid motions (G0).  This is only used for calculating the estimated machining time.

This section of the dialog allows you to specify Feed Rate Reduction Factors for specific tool motions.

Plunge between levels  

This is a percentage of the Cut (Cf) feedrate to use when the tool is plunging between Z levels.

First XY Pass  

This is a percentage of the Cut (Cf) feedrate to use on the first XY cut motion when the toolpath uses the full width of the cutter.

Bottom Z Level

Here you can specify the percentage of the Cut (Cf) Feed Rate to use for the Bottom Z Level.  This could be the bottom of a pocket operation or the bottom of a profile operation.  This applies to any toolpath with levels.

Here you can override the Coolant that is specified by the Tool. Coolant can be set to Flood, Mist, Through or Air Through. Coolant codes are defined in the post processor generator under Misc tab. Coolant Off is also supported as a variable that can be added where needed using the post-processor generator.

Coolant selections available

Load the Feed & Speeds values that are saved with the currently selected Tool.

See: Create/Edit Tools

This loads the Feeds & Speeds values from the Feeds & Speeds Table file.  This will display the Load Feeds from Table dialog box to make your selections.

Dialog Box: Load Feeds from Table

Selecting OK from this dialog transfers the spindle speed and cut feedrate to the Feeds & Speeds tab. The plunge, approach, engage, retract and departure feeds are determined using a percent of the cut feed.  The percent to use for transferring the computed cut feed can be set under Feeds & Speeds Preferences. Dialog Box: Load Feeds from Table

Data from Table

Input Variables

Maximum Limits for Computation

Computed Variables