Closest Point

Introduction

This topic will explain the Closest point option, describe where to find it, provide an example, and an explanation of how it works.

Closest point

During machining, the tool axis is aligned to a tilt curve, and the tool axis orientation is the shortest distance between the toolpath point and the tilt curve. The tilt curve must be located above the tilt surface. The maximum tilting angle is between zero and ninety degrees. If the tool axis is already tilted 45 degrees from the present toolpath point to the curve, and a fixed tilt angle of 60 degrees is selected, the tool only tilts 90 degrees (vertical).

Navigation

To access Closest point: 

 

• The Closest point option can be found on the Tool axis control page with Tool axis will... set to either: 
  
  
  • Tilted through curve
    
    
  • Tilted from curve away
    
    
• With one of these selected for Tool axis will... the option can be found in the drop down list next to Curve tilt type.

Example

• This Closest Point example shows a curved surface with a tilt curve placed above. It has the same shape as the surface but a smaller radius. Now take any point on the surface and connect it with the curve by using the shortest distance. The result is that the tool axis is always normal between the curve and the surface.

 

 

 

• Closest Point with Fixed Tilt Angle set to 10 degrees.

 

How it Works

• A surface with a tilt curve above and two random toolpath points (1).

 

 

 

• Now a sphere is expanded (2) from the point until it reaches the tilt curve. This sets the closest point on the tilt curve (3).

 

 

 

• Finally, a line is created between this point on the curve and the toolpath point. This line is the tool axis orientation.