Patterns and Parameters

Pattern

The Pattern allows  you to select how the passes are laid down.

Standard - Each pass will be parallel to the center of rotation.

Offset - Each pass will be an offset copy of the selected geometry trimmed to the feature constraints.

Standard	Offset

Sorting

Sorting allows  you to select how the passes link to the following pass.

Standard - defines a one-way cutting pattern with retracts between each cut.  

Zig Zag - defines a two-way or alternating cutting pattern.

In the table below you can see how these sorting options affect the selected patterns.

Standard Pattern
With Standard Sorting	With Zig Zag Sorting
Offset Pattern
With Standard Sorting	With Zig Zag Sorting

Compensation

Each tool has a theoretical point placed on it as seen in red in the animation below. In the case of tools with a radius of any size, this point is not actually on the tool, but on the horizontal and vertical intersections of the radius. It is this point that the toolpath plots out.  When compensation is used, it is designed to place the actual tool and not just its theoretical point on the geometry. This can be accomplished with System Compensation, Machine Compensation, or a combination of the two.   

• System Compensation

  This specifies whether or not the system compensates for the insert geometry and the tool nose radius.
  

• Off - the selected geometry is used as the program path; Machine Compensation should be used.
  
  

• On with Collision Detection - the system compensates for the tool nose radius and the insert geometry and avoids any detected collisions.
  

   

  Use Tool Holder - no collision check is done on the holder.
  

  
  
  
  

  Use Tool Holder - a collision check is done on the holder, and the toolpath is adjusted to ensure the tool holder does not collide with the geometry.

  
  
  
  

• On without Collision Detection - the system compensates for the tool nose radius and the insert geometry without checking for collisions.

• Machine Compensation
  Outputs the necessary codes to allow for the user to enter compensation data at the machine. When this is done, the machine will alter the path based on the data entered at the machine. This can even be used in combination with System Compensation in order to compensate for tool wear or other unforeseen variables.
  
  

• Off - no compensation commands are output in the posted program.
  
  

• Comp Left / G41 - outputs the left compensation command in the posted program.
  
  

• Comp Right / G42 - outputs the right compensation command in the posted program.

Parameters

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

Depth of Cut - sets the spacing between toolpath passes.

Overlap

The Overlap options allow you to create an additional move prior to the link to the next pass. This link will track back up the geometry in order to eliminate stair steps as seen in the images above. Overlap is controlled with either, To Previous Cut, No Overlap, or Custom Distance.

To Previous Cut - automatically tracks back up the geometry the distance of the selected depth of cut.

No Overlap - does not track back up the geometry at all.

Custom Distance - Allows you to enter a custom distance value. This value is a vertical distance. Entering the same value that has been entered for the depth of cut will track back to the last cut exactly.

Chip Break

The option allows you to create minute retract moves, at user specified intervals, to aid in chip breaking.

Chip Break... - With this option cleared, the toolpath will not include chip break moves.

Chip Break... -  With this option selected, the toolpath will include chip break moves that can be modified in the Chip Break dialog. Click the Chip Break button to enter the dialog.

Chip Break...	Chip Break...

Corner Type

This section gives you a way to create sharp corners when moving through outside angles and corners. When system compensation is being used, the toolpath adjusts to keep the specified geometry of the tool in contact with the geometry. In the case of outside angles and corners, this causes a radius in the toolpath as the tool rounds over the geometry.

Round - keeps the specified tool geometry in contact with the geometry at all times.

Sharp - allows the tool to move off the geometry in order to line up with the next move on the following entity. This method eliminates the rounding over of the tool.

Bounds

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

Trim to Stock - With this option cleared, the toolpath will not be trimmed.

Trim to Stock -  With this option selected, the toolpath that extends beyond the Operation Stock will be trimmed away.

Extension - When trimming causes gaps in the toolpath, Extension closes the gap from each side by the amount entered. This is done to create a lead out of, and back into the material.

Maximum Gap - sets the limit on the area to feed across when no stock is detected.