Allowances

Introduction

This topic explains the Allowances dialog, the options found in it, and will provide an example of selecting geometries to assign allowances to.

Allowances

Part Geometry

This group controls the allowances to use for the specified Part Geometries.

 

  • Add - hides the dialog, and Wizard, and opens the Re/Select Geometry dialog to allow you to select a solid body, or individual faces to assign a specific allowance to.

  • Delete - removes the currently selected geometry item from the list.

  • Geometry - lists the geometry items.

    • Feature Geometry - the geometry selected for the overall feature. This item cannot be changed in this dialog.

    • Geometry (1, 2, 3...) - this is additional geometry added through this dialog. Click the button to reselect geometry.

  • Type - lists the type of allowance selected for the given geometry. Click the drop down arrow to choose between: 

    • Global - applies a single allowance value to the selected part geometry using the Allowance XYZ value.

    • Side and Bottom - allows you to specify separate allowances for the side (XY) and bottom (Z) of the selected part geometry.

  • Global Allowance - with Global selected for the type, enter the value to use for the Global Allowance.

  • Side Allowance - with Side and Bottom selected for the type, enter the value to use for the Side Allowance.

  • Radial Allowance - with Side and Bottom selected for the type, enter the value to use for the Bottom Allowance.

 

Fixture Geometry

This group controls the allowances to use for the specified Fixture Geometries. This section is not available for the Pencil and Flatlands operations.

 

  • Add - hides the dialog, and Wizard, and opens the Re/Select Geometry dialog to allow you to select a solid body, or individual faces to assign a specific allowance to.

  • Delete - removes the currently selected geometry item from the list.

  • Use Setup Fixture - dictates whether the Fixture Geometry item is active. This refers to the fixture geometry assigned to the overall Machine Setup.

    - With this check box cleared, no allowances will be utilized for the Fixture Geometry.

    - With this check box selected, the geometry selected for the Machine Setup and allowances values listed for that item will be utilized.

  • Geometry - This column lists the currently selected geometry items.

    • Fixture Geometry - the fixture geometry selected for the overall Machine Setup. This item cannot be changed in this dialog.

    • Fixture (1, 2, 3...) - this is additional geometry added through this dialog. Click the button to reselect geometry.

  • Type - This column lists the type of allowance selected for the given geometry. Click the drop down arrow to choose between: 

    • Global - applies a single allowance value to the selected fixture geometry using the Allowance XYZ value.

    • Side and Bottom - allows you to specify separate allowances for the side (XY) and bottom (Z) of the selected fixture geometry.

  • Global Allowance - with Global selected for the type, enter the value to use for the Global Allowance.

  • Side Allowance - with Side and Bottom selected for the type, enter the value to use for the Side Allowance.

  • Radial Allowance - with Side and Bottom selected for the type, enter the value to use for the Bottom Allowance.

 

Important: When using the feature on the Advanced Planar, and Project Curves toolpaths, It is actually the silhouette of the selected fixture geometry that is used as a boundary to keep the toolpath a particular distance away. Because of this, you will not want to include fixture geometry that is under the geometry for the feature. Notice in the table below, the effect the selected fixture geometry has on the toolpath when an allowance is applied to it.

 

Selected Geometry Resulting Silhouette
   
Selected Geometry Resulting Silhouette

Example

Assigning Part Geometry

 

  1. In the Part Geometry group, click Add.

    The dialog hides to allow you to select surfaces or solids from the graphics area.

  2. Select any geometry which will be assigned a particular allowance value that differs from the overall operation.

    All geometry selected here will share the same allowance value.

  3. Click OK.

    The Mill 3 Axis Wizard reappears.

  4. Click the Advanced button to launch the Allowances dialog again.

    Geometry 1 is now listed in the Geometry column.

  5. In the Type column, Global is used as the allowance type by default.

    To change to the Type, click the drop-down and select the desired option.

  6. Use the Global, Side, and/or Bottom allowance columns to assign a value to your selected geometry.

  7. Repeat this process as needed for each group of part geometry that is to have differing allowance values.

Assigning Fixture Geometry

  1. Although you do not have to, if you wish to assign a particular allowance to the entire fixture selected for the Machine Setup, select the check box for Use Setup Fixture.

  2. In the Fixture Geometry group, click Add.

    The dialog hides to allow you to select surfaces or solids from the graphics area.

  3. Select any geometry which will be assigned a particular allowance value that differs from the overall Fixture Geometry.

    All geometry selected here will share the same allowance value.

  4. Click OK.

    The Mill 3 Axis Wizard reappears.

  5. Click the Advanced button to launch the Allowances dialog again.

    Fixture Geometry 1 is now listed in the Geometry column.

  6. In the Type column, Global is used as the allowance type by default.

    To change to the Type, click the drop-down and select the desired option.

  7. Use the Global, Side, and/or Bottom allowance columns to assign a value to your selected geometry.

  8. Repeat this process as needed for each group of fixture geometry that is to have differing allowance values.

Deleting Part/Fixture Geometry

  1. Highlight the unwanted geometry item by clicking in the appropriate row of the Global, Side, or Bottom Allowance column.

    The row is highlighted.

  2. Click Delete.

    A dialog appears: Are you sure you wish to delete this item?

  3. Click Yes.

    The geometry item is removed from the list.