The Mill Wizard Feature Settings
Introduction
The second step of the Mill 2 Axis Wizard is to define the Feature Parameters. These parameters define rapid movement and depth settings that are applied to all operations in the feature. There are a few exceptions, such as the 2-axis chamfer and corner round operations that set the depth in the Parameters operation settings. All of the parameters found in the Feature dialog box are explained in this topic.
Feature
Material Approach
- Clearance Plane (MillJobs) - displays the clearance plane value.In the CAM Tree, right-click Machine Setup, and click Edit to set the clearance plane in the Machine Setup dialog box.The clearance plane is incremental from the top of stock (defined in the Stock Wizard). It defines the safe rapid plane used between machining operations.The value you define in the Machine Setup is applied to all features under that setup.
- For Mill Turn Jobs, view the MillTurn Clearance topic.
- Rapid Plane- is the height at which the tool can rapid safely within a single machining operation.This value is incremental from the Top of Feature setting in the CAM wizard.
- Feed Plane- is the height at which the tool movement changes from rapid to feedrate. This value is incremental from the toolpath.
Feature Parameters
- Top of Feature
- is the top of the material for the feature. This value is incremental
from the Machine Setup or machining origin.
- Pick Top - enables selection mode for you to set the Top of Feature by selecting geometry.
- Total Depth - is the cutting
depth of the feature from the Top of Feature (as an absolute or positive
value). This value is applied to all operations in the feature.
-
- Pick Bottom - enables selection mode for you to set the Total Depth by selecting geometry.
Parameters
- Extension
- the feature size is
set by the geometry selected for it.
- When applied to an open
chain, or chains, of geometry, the Extension option will add an additional
amount to the feature as defined by the selected geometry.
Start
- Distance - sets the amount added to the beginning
of the feature.
- With this toggle engaged, the distance is set
to a percentage of the tool in use. 
- With this toggle disengaged, the distance is set
to an absolute distance.
End
- Same As Start
- allows you
to set different values to the End Distance, than those used for the Start
Distance.
- sets the End Distance
to match the values used in the Start Distance.
- Distance - sets the amount added to the beginning
of the feature. - With this toggle engaged, the distance is set
to a percentage of the tool in use. - With this toggle disengaged, the distance is set
to an absolute distance.
Next Topic
After setting the parameters, click Next>> to go to The Machining Strategy Dialog Box.
