Edit Toolpath - Edit Tool Axis

Introduction

This topic explains the Parameters available when the Edit Tool Axis Command Mode, which gives you the option to modify the tool orientation vector for a the selected toolpath elements, is used. As explained in the Edit Toolpath Dialog topic, most of the Edit Toolpath dialog remains the same, no matter which Command Mode is being used. It is the Parameters of the Edit Tool Axis Command Mode this topic focuses on, although, the Command Mode group, Selected Toolpath Elements group and the Animation group can still be revisited in this topic by expanding the drop down hot spots of the same name.

 

To work through an example utilizing this function, see the Edit Toolpath Example - Edit Tool Axis.

 

Actions

Command Mode

 

  • Delete - allows you to delete toolpath entities and relink the toolpath.

  • Trim and Relink - allows you to create a trimming boundary to trim portions of the toolpath away.

  • Move - allows you to alter the location of the selected toolpath elements.

  • Replace - allows you to draw in your own toolpath and replace entities of the toolpath with this CAD geometry.

  • Break - allows you to split toolpath entities into multiple segments.

  • Modify Attributes - allows you to modify the feedrate, or feed type.

  • Extend Cut Move - allows you to extend the toolpath tangentially by a specified distance.

  • Edit Tool Axis - Gives you the option to modify the tool orientation vector for the selected toolpath elements.

 

Note: The Edit Tool Axis option is only available with Mill 4 Axis Rotary and Mill Multiaxis feature operations.


  • Preview

    - Active by default, the Preview option will show the change that will be attained when the Execute button is selected.

    - Clearing this check box will remove the preview of the current settings from the graphics area.


 

Selected Toolpath Elements

This list shows the currently selected toolpath entities.

 

  • Click or Drag Window Pick - This selection method allows you to select toolpath entities in several ways:

 

      1. Use a single click to select individual toolpath entities.
      2. Use Shift+Click on an entity to select an entire chain of entities.  
      3. Use a Window Selection method to drag a window around a group of entities to select at once.

  • Polygon Pick - This selection method will allow you to define an area of selection by using multiple single clicks to define a polygon. An example of this can be seen in the image below.

 

 

Note: Polygon picking is disabled for operations with 2500+ toolpath entities.

 

  • Point Pick

    - with this check box cleared toolpath points will not selectable.

    - with this check box enabled, toolpath points can be selected, by clicking near the end of a toolpath entity.

  • Convert Selected Toolpath to CAD Geometry - This button will create CAD geometry on a 3D Sketch in the Feature Manager Design Tree.

Note: The Convert Selected Toolpath to CAD Geometry option is currently limited to 100 entities at a time.

 

 

Parameters

  • Show Tool Axis

    - enables the display of the current tool axis vectors for the selected toolpath entities.

    - does not show the current tool axis vectors.

Important: This is a separate display from the Command Mode Preview. If the Show Tool Axis check box is selected, it will show, both, the current tool axis vectors, and the tool axis vectors as the will be, should the Action be Executed.

 

  • Fixed Direction - allows you to modify the currently selected toolpath vectors to a fixed vector direction, by entering a vector value or by selecting a line.

    • X - sets the X vector direction.

    • Y - sets the Y vector direction.

    • Z - sets the Z vector direction.

  • Pick A Line - places you into selection mode to allow you to pick an entity to pull the vector direction from. This option, will allow you lines, arcs, splines, and surface edges. Arc and spline entities will use the end points of the entity to create a line.

  • Reverse - inverts the selected vector direction in order to tilt the tool in the opposite direction.


 

  • Direction Interpolation - allows you to modify a chain of entities to smooth the vectors between the beginning entities tool axis vector and the end of the chains tool axis vector.

 

Important:

• When using Fixed Direction, keep in mind, if the tool axis of a toolpath elements is altered, it will begin with the tool axis of the last elements and end at the new tool axis. As such, to adjust an element along its entire length, the toolpath element that comes before will need to be altered with the same tool axis.
• When using Direction Interpolation, at least three elements will need to be selected, as the function is designed to create a smooth shift between the tool axis of the first and last toolpath element. It is, therefore, not the first, or last toolpath elements being adjusted, but rather, all the tool path elements in between.

 


 

  • Undo - This will remove the previously executed command.

  • Execute - This will perform the currently active command.

  • Redo - This will re-apply any commands that were removed by the use of the undo button.

 

Note: The Undo and Redo options only affect commands that were executed in the current instance of the Toolpath Editor.

 

 

Animation

The animation will allow you view the tool in the graphics area in order to verify the current tool movement. Controls are available to change how the tool is viewed, adjust the speed of the animation, reset the animation, along with the usual play, pause, fast back, step back, step forward and fast forward.

 

  • Animation

    - with this check box cleared, the view of the tool in the graphics area will be disabled.

    - with this check box selected, the view of the tool in the graphics area will be enabled.

  • Shaded - will show an opaque tool.

  • Transparent - will show a transparent tool.

  • Wireframe - will show the tool as a wireframe.

  • Speed   - This slider affects how quickly the  tool goes through the toolpath in the animation.

  • Reset - Sets the tool back to the beginning of the toolpath.

  • Fast Back - Skips backwards from the current position at 2X the setting of the speed slider.

  • Step Back - Moves the tool backwards along the toolpath by one entity.

  • Play - Starts the animation of the tool moving through the toolpath.

  • Pause - After pressing play, the Play button changes to the Pause button to stop the tool at the current.

  • Step Forward - Moves the tool forwards along the toolpath by one entity.

  • Fast Forward - Skips forwards from the current position at 2X the setting of the speed slider.

 

Related Topics

Edit Toolpath Delete

Edit Toolpath Trim and Relink

Edit Toolpath Move

Edit Toolpath Replace

Edit Toolpath Break

Edit Toolpath Modify Attributes

Edit Toolpath Extend Cut Move