When creating any feature, the first step is to select the geometry. In the past, once geometry was selected, you would return to the Wizard to set the Top of Feature, the Total Depth, and after the feature as created, adjust the chain direction from the CAM Tree. With the new geometry selection method, you can select geometry, set the chain direction, Top of Feature, and the Total Depth all in one dialog.

Machinists know; you're only making money when cuts are being made. As such, it is ideal to keep machine moves that aren't cutting to a bare minimum. In the new BobCAD-CAM V30 we now offer a Minimize Tool Retracts option that does just that! When multiple depths are used on the Profile Rough and Finish, Facing, and Corner Rounding operations, this feature will help to eliminate moves back up to the rapid plane and then back down again before the next pass is made. This feature also gives you the power to choose whether to link the passes with a rapid or feed move!

BobCAD-CAM now offers new and improved sequencing options in order to offer lower cycle times. Whether you are creating a Standard Drill, Multiaxis Drill, or even a Cross Drilling feature you will find new, highly effective ways to maximize the efficiency of the sequence. Our Standard Drilling offers X, Y directions, and a Custom Direction option you can define yourself, each of which can be set to a Zig or Zig Zag style sequence. Along with those sequences, we also offer Closest , Pick Order, and Optimized sequences. Closest automatically moves to the next closest hole, Pick Order allows you to select the geometry in the order it is to be machined and Optimized tests many of the sequences along with its own algorithm and gives the result which results in the shortest toolpath. We even go a step further in offering a 'Reverse Each Operation' option to save even more moves. With Reverse Each Operation, drilling features that contain multiple operations, can have subsequent operations track back along the path of the first operation to keep the tool from having to move all the way back to the beginning to start the path again.

The Chamfer operation now gives you the ability to use multiple depths! Selecting the Multiple Depths option allows you to set the Depth of Cut, gives you an option to use a Stepover, gives you control over the order of each of those, and even provides you the option to utilize the Minimize Retracts feature mentioned previously in this document.

Operations that offer a Plunge entry method will now offer three different Types of Plunge: Single Depth, Peck, and Fast Peck. These options can be a huge help in saving time and tool life!

Points is a new toolpath pattern option to assist in copying toolpath and setups whose copies need to have varying distances between them. In the past, there was no way to create a toolpath pattern that did not fit nicely in an array, translation, or rotation. There are many case when a feature, or many features need to have copies that have varying X, Y, Z distances. With the new toolpath pattern option, those variations can be entered in the software as coordinates, or as points selected from the graphics area and BobCAD-CAM will make copies of the toolpath at those locations.

The Toolpath Statistics dialog is now available to give you some useful data about the current toolpath of an existing job. The Toolpath Statistic dialog will give you more information than can be found in the Setup Sheet. While the Setup Sheets provide information like the speeds and feeds of a tool, the Toolpath Statistics provide additional information, like Feed Time, vs Rapid Time, the extents of the toolpath, and even the amount of toolpath entities; Feed entities vs. Rapid entities.

For this release we have added a new Pattern to the Facing operation. Besides the basic Zig and Zig Zag Patterns, you can now choose the new Adaptive Pattern when using the Facing operation. This will allow you to apply a high speed style toolpath that is, both, fast and highly effective.

The Advanced Z Level Finish now offers the ability to use Undercuts! In the past, although lollipops and t-cutter style tools could be used, but the toolpath created would not accommodate undercut areas of the model. Now, you can, not only, cut undercut areas of the model, but even specify to cut only the undercut areas of the model!

This toolpath supports both a Z level style and a planar style toolpath pattern. Giving users the ability to define toolpath direction in X or Y or the angle in Z.

Typical usage: Steep and Shallow Surfaces

This toolpath creates a perpendicular toolpath to the lead curve users select. Giving users additional control to drive toolpath along their drive surfaces without having to define an angle.

Typical usage: Cleanup path for between walls, bosses or edge surfaces.

This toolpath is a blended toolpath that offers much flexibility when machining thick to thin or irregular surface perimeters.

Typical usage: Clean up passes for walls and floors with irregular edges. Where parallel paths are less efficient.

This toolpath is used to create a parallel toolpath based on edge curves. Using this toolpath users can develop toolpath that follows the curvature of walls and floor surfaces.

Typical usage: Following curved surfaces where parallel and morph toolpaths are less efficient.

This toolpath serves 4 patterns: radial, spiral, offset, and user defined. Using this toolpath you can break edges, semi finish and finish round shapes or irregular channels and grooves.

Typical usage: Used for finish machining of round shaped parts, irregular channels and groves, and 3 axis edge breaking.

This toolpath is a blended toolpath that offers much flexibility when machining thick to thin or irregular surface perimeters. Unlike morph between 2 curves, this toolpath uses the edge surfaces to blend vs edge curves.

Typical usage: Clean up passes for walls and floors with irregular edges. Where parallel paths are less efficient.

This toolpath is used to create a parallel toolpath based on edge surface. Using this toolpath users can develop toolpaths that follows the curvature of walls and floor surfaces.

Typical usage: Following curved surfaces where parallel and morph toolpaths are less efficient.

This toolpath uses the UV lines of the surface to control the direction of the cut. Users can cut along the UV lines or across them. What are UV lines? These are the lighter colored lines you see along surfaces.

Typical usage: Finish machining where the surface UV lines determine the path the tool with follow.

When using an Around Style cut, users now have an option to apply an Adaptive Stepover. This is the same functionality that was a huge help in other 3 Axis toolpaths. With the Adaptive Stepover, steep areas that would normally cause gaps in the toolpath are filled with additional passes to match the consistency of the rest of the toolpath. What would usually require an additional operation to finish, can now be done all in one operation.

BobCAD-CAM now offers new and improved sequencing options in order to offer lower cycle times. When using Cross, or Multiaxis Drilling operations, you will find new, highly effective ways to maximize the efficiency of the sequence. For our Crossing Drilling, we now offer Along, and Around Rotation Axis sequences, and even a Custom Direction option you can define yourself. All of these options can be set to a Zig or Zig Zag style sequence, and we even go a step further in offering a 'Reverse Each Operation' option to save even more moves. With Reverse Each Operation, drilling features that contain multiple operations, can have subsequent operations track back along the path of the first operation to keep the tool from having to move all the way back to the beginning to start the path again. No matter what type of Drilling or Tapping type you choose, you'll always be able to manually pick the geometry in the order you want it to be machined or you can let us do the work for you and use "closest" to have BobCAD-CAM find the next closest hole.

The rapid distance, including the feed distance, can be applied in the tool plane instead of the tool axis plane. This option can be used for machining with undercut tools, e.g. a slot mill, where the engagement is usually from the side and axial retractions are not wanted.

This functionality finds its application in grinding processes and not in classic milling operations. To achieve a constant feed per tooth, the toolpath feed rate is controlled by the actual contact point of the surface and the contact point of the tool.

The new algorithm in the Multiaxis Roughing now supports rotational, or so called periodic pocket geometries. This was considered a major limitation to multiaxis machining even though the initial design was never supposed to support it. The tool does not continuously follow the pocket, but an overlap is guaranteed when the pattern returns on the surface edge seam. As seen in the image, the new algorithm helps to ensure that all areas are handled with smooth multiaxis movements.

This feature is for shifting the tool contact point as it moves along the contour. This can be used for a polishing process, where in the beginning of the machining process the tool sits on the front, and at the ends it runs on the heel.

This new feature gives an incredible amount of control over the range of tilt during machining. While there are many options when it comes to setting the tilt of the tool, there has never been an option quite like this one. Just define the start angle and the end angle, and the tool gradually changes the tilt angle between those angles. This is extremely helpful in cases similar to a turbine blade finishing toolpath, and can help to ensure that the tool stays clear of obstacles like the blade root.

This feature enables two contours to be linked with a new blend spline and is available for Gaps along cut, and Links between Slices and Passes. This option enables a smooth transition between contours and In the event of a detected collision, the blend spline is extended to ensure the main shape is not disturbed and to guarantee a smooth transition.

The new Automatic Arc lead option is a great way to ensure nice, clean leads. The automatic arc consists of two splines. The first spline leaves the surface tangentially in the surface normal direction, similar to a tangential arc. The second spline connects tangentially into the plunge or retract motion, using the tool axis tilting orientation. This lead option even works in combination with collision checking.

When using the Position Line lead option, the start/end position of a cut is defined by a line. The line defines the direction of the tool axis as well as the height of the tool. Because this line is absolute, all following retractions will go to same position and height. A new option has been added to this lead called Automatic start height. Using this option means the height along the line is not absolute, but is automatically adjusted to the cut position.

To give you the control you need, the sorting algorithm for multiple cuts has been extended. For best material removal performance, the first cut can now start from the bottom. You're welcome.

Taking us another step closer to one-click machining, is the new Automatic Clearance Area. While, most will want to have control over the exact clearance area types, and distances being used, with this new feature, the system automatically determines the clearance area type, position and dimension. It tries to maintain the most suitable setting for each pattern. It doesn't get any easier than that.

New Multiaxis Posting options are available when using Select Between The Two Solutions. When moving the material and tool into position, there are instances where two solutions which achieve the same result, and in the past, you could choose between them with the options First Solution and Other Solution. The only problem with this was that it could be frustrating in cases where you have a particular outcome in mind. In those instances, if the first solution wasn't what you were looking for, you would need to go back and choose Other Solution. Now, other options exist that give predictable results: Solution closest to 0 and Solution not closest to 0. With these options, the sum of the 2 angles has been found for each solution. This way, when you select Solution closest to 0, you know which result you are choosing.