Parameters

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Introduction

The Parameters page gives you the control to tweak the pattern that has been selected on the previous page. The options available to you in this page include the depth of cut, the allowance being left, whether or not an overlap on passes is used, the corner type, which controls whether the tool rolls over corners or not, and also allows you to trim the toolpath to the stock size and shape.

Parameters

The parameters section give you the ability to adjust the depth of cut and the allowances used.

Stepover - sets the spacing between toolpath passes.

Rough Allowance -  Selecting this option will create a pass before the final pass to act as a semi-finish. The spacing of the semi-finish pass will be dictated by the values entered in the Z and X boxes.

Z - sets the amount left in the Z direction for the semi-finish.

X - sets the amount left in the X direction for the semi-finish.

Semifinish Pattern - Once a Rough Allowance has been selected, the Semifinish Pattern will allow you to select between a one directional semifinish, or a semifinish that forces a downward cut.

Force Down Cutting - selecting this option will force the semifinish to be cut from each side of the groove one at a time, each in a downward direction, to the middle of the groove. Adding an overlap will set each pass to go past the center of the groove half the specified amount.

Overlap - sets the total distance between the two passes exits, not including any leads that are uses.

Basic Finish - sets the semifinish pass to one single direction.

Finish Allowance - will allow you to leave material on the workpiece to be handled by the finishing pass. Setting values for the Finish Allowance will leave the last pass of this operation offset from the selected geometry by the amount entered in the available Z and X boxes.

Z - sets the amount left in the Z direction for the finish.

X - sets the amount left in the X direction for the finish.

Multiple Depths

The Multiple Depths group allows you to break the total groove depth into steps rather than just one full depth cut or pecked cut.  

Depth of Cut - allows you to set the spacing between depth passes.

Processing - allows you to handle instances where the selected geometry causes the toolpath to be broken along a number of passes. This will allow you to decide how the tool will move between the separated areas of toolpath.

By Area - will complete all depth passes on whole area before moving to next.

By Level - will cut all areas of the part to the current pass depth before beginning the next.

Sorting - allows you to set the operation to be cut in a single direction or a back and for motion.

One Way - forces each pass to be cut in the same direction.

Zig Zag - forces each pass to be cut in opposing direction.

Pecking

Pecking allows you to set incremental depths, clearances and retracts.

• First Peck Amount - sets the amount of material removed during the first entry into the material.

• Peck Clearance - sets the height above the material from which the tool speed changes from rapid to feed (for each peck).

• Peck Increment - sets the amount of material that is removed by each pass performed after the first peck.

• Peck Retract - sets the distance that the tool retracts between each peck.
  
  

Bounds

The Bounds section give you the ability to trim the toolpath to the bounds set by the Operation Stock.

Trim to Stock -  Selecting this option will trim away toolpath that extends beyond the Operation Stock.

Next Topic

Once the Parameters have been set, click to continue to the Rapids page.