Toolpath Patterns

Introduction

This topic will explain toolpath patterns, describe where they can be accessed, the options found in them, and will provide links to related topics.

The Toolpath Patterns

Toolpath Patterning is used to create patterns of machining operations by copying one or more existing operations to other locations. You can create one or more Toolpath Patterns for a specific feature, or for all features contained in a Machine Setup, Index System, or Wrapping Group. There are three ways to create patterns. You can copy a feature at defined intervals using the Array option. The Translate option is used to copy and move features using the Delta method or the Sketch/Enter method. The third option, Rotate, is used to copy features at a defined angle interval (2D or 3D). Toolpath Patterns are supported for both Mill and Wire EDM.

To create a Toolpath Pattern, do one of the following:

 

  • To Pattern a single feature: in the CAM Tree, right-click the CAM feature name (such as Feature 3 Axis or Feature EDM 2X Inside), and click Add Toolpath Pattern.

 

  • To Pattern all features in a Machine Setup, right-click Machine Setup, point to Additional Functions, and click Add Toolpath Pattern. (For Wire EDM, right-click Machine Setup, and click Add Toolpath Pattern.)

 

  • To Pattern all features in a Index System, right-click Index System, point to Additional Functions, and click Add Toolpath Pattern. (Mill only)

 

  • To Pattern all features in a Wrapping Group, right-click Wrapping Group, point to Additional Functions, and click Add Toolpath Pattern. (Mill only)

 

When you add a pattern, a Toolpath Pattern item is added to the CAM Tree.

 

Machine Setup

Toolpath Pattern

Index System

Toolpath Pattern

CAM Feature

Toolpath Pattern

 

You can create one or more Toolpath Patterns for any feature, machine setup, index system, or wrapping group.

 

To compute a Toolpath Pattern:

 

  • When you add a toolpath pattern, the Toolpath Pattern dialog displays.

 

  • After defining the pattern parameters, click OK.

 

The pattern is automatically calculated.

 

Tip: You can also drag and drop the toolpath pattern between items in the CAM Tree to modify the features/operations the pattern is applied to.

Toolpath Pattern Shortcut Menu

You right-click the Toolpath Pattern in the CAM Tree to access the following options.

 

Toolpath Pattern

    • Insert Toolpath Pattern - adds a new toolpath pattern below the selected pattern.

    • Edit - opens the Toolpath Pattern dialog for you to modify the parameters for the selected pattern.

    • Delete - removes the selected Toolpath Pattern from the CAM Tree.

    • Suppress/Unsuppress - toggles whether or not the toolpath pattern is included in the Operation Tree, and therefore, the posted NC program. When a pattern is set to suppressed, the icon is displayed.

    • Blank/Unblank Toolpath - is used to hide or show the computed Toolpath Pattern. When the pattern is hidden, the icon is displayed.

The Toolpath Pattern Dialog

When you add a toolpath pattern in the CAM Tree, the Toolpath Pattern dialog is displayed. You must first select the method to define how the pattern is created.

 

Feature

  • Array - creates the pattern with a defined distance interval and number of copies along the X- and/or Y Axis direction.

  • Translate - creates a pattern with a defined number of copies using either the Delta or Sketch/Enter method.

  • Rotate - creates a pattern with a defined angle interval and number of copies rotated around a user-defined point or line (3D).

  • Point - creates a custom pattern, by allowing you to select a start point and various endpoints to place the copies in X, Y, and Z space.

 

The next section explains the dialog parameters for each of the three methods separately.

 

Important: When defining values for toolpath patterns, for example when defining the point or line of rotation for the Rotate option, the values are based off of the machining origin that is defined in the Machine Setup dialog and not the WCS (CAD world coordinate system).

 

Array

 

X Direction

 

  • Distance - the distance between each toolpath copy along the X Axis (direction).

  • Copies - the number of times the toolpath is copied.

Img Img

 

 

Y Direction

 

  • Distance - the distance between each toolpath copy along the Y Axis (direction).

  • Copies - the number of times the toolpath is copied.

Img Img

 

 

 

Note: The Translate parameters below are shown in two separate groups. The first shows the available parameters when then Delta option is selected.

 

Translate

 

  • Delta - moves the toolpath by an incremental value from the current location.

  • Sketch/Enter - defines the pattern location either by selecting geometry or by typing coordinate values in the Start and End group. When using Pick to select geometry, the pattern is moved by the same distance and direction that is defined by the selected points.

  • Copies - the number of times the toolpath is copied.

 

Delta

When using the Delta method, type coordinate values to define the change in position, along each axis, from the current location.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location.

 

Img Img

 

 

 

Note: The parameters below show the available parameters when the Sketch/Enter option is selected.

 

Translate

 

  • Delta - moves the toolpath by an incremental value from the current location.

  • Sketch/Enter - defines the pattern location either by selecting geometry or by typing coordinate values in the Start and End group. When using Pick to select geometry, the pattern is moved by the same distance and direction that is defined by the selected points.

  • Copies - the number of times the toolpath is copied.

 

Start

When using the Translate method, type coordinate values, or select a point, to define the start position along each axis, from the current location.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Pick - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the start location. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

Img

 

 

End

When using the Translate method, type coordinate values, or select a point, to define the end position along each axis, from the current location.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Pick - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the end location. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

Img

 

 

 

Important: When creating toolpath patterns using the 3D Rotate option, the toolpath pattern is not applied to any features that are contained in a Wrapping Group.

 

Rotate

 

  • 3D Option (Mill only)

    Select the check box to enable the Start and End groups for the Rotation Axis. Use this method when defining a line around which the pattern is rotated.
    Clear the check box to enable the Origin group for the Rotation Axis. Use this method when defining a point (in X and Y) around which the pattern is rotated.

  • Angle - is the angle interval at which the toolpath pattern is created around a point (or a line when using the 3D Option). The angle is in reference to the positive X Axis (of the machining origin defined in the Machine Setup) when using a point. When using the 3D Option, the angle is in reference to the line defined by the Start and End parameters.

  • Copies - the number of times the toolpath is copied.

 

Note: The following section shows the available parameters when the 3D option is selected.

 

Rotation Axis

The options available in the Rotation Axis group change depending on whether or not the 3D option is selected. These options are explained next.

 

Origin

Allows you to define the center of rotation for the toolpath pattern to be rotated around. These values are relative to the machine setup.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Pick - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the center of rotation. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

Img Img

 

 

Note: The following section shows the available parameters when the 3D option is cleared.

 

Start

When using the 3D Option method, we define a line as our axis of rotation. Below, type coordinate values, or select a point, to define the start point, along each axis, for the start of this line.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Pick - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the end location. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

Img

 

 

End

When using the 3D Option method, we define a line as our axis of rotation. Below, type coordinate values, or select a point, to define the end point, along each axis, for the start of this line.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Pick - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the end location. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

Img

 

 

 

 

Specified Points

This options allows you to handle situations that do not fall neatly into the a simple translation pattern. Pick the Start point, then pick the positions where the copies should be created.

 

Toolpath to be patterned

Start Point

Img

Img

 

 

Positions

Result

Img

Img

 

Start

Pick the first point. This is the point the others will be measured from to determine the X, Y, and Z distances the copies need to be moved to.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Pick - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the end location. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

 

Positions

The Positions group defines the end positions of the toolpaths to be patterned. To define the Positions, you can use the Pick method, or type in coordinate values to add manually.

 

Pick

 

  • Pick Positions - selecting this option will hide the dialog, and launch the Toolpath Pattern Picking dialog to allow you to select geometry from the graphics area to define the end location. The nearest snap point of the selected entity is used.

 

 

Enter

Allows you to manually enter the end positions of the pattern copies. Enter the X, Y, and Z end values and click Add to create an additional copy.

 

  • X - is the distance from the current X Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Y - is the distance from the current Y Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Z - is the distance from the current Z Axis location of the machine setup.

  • Add - creates an additional position in the list below using the current values.

 

 

 

  X Y Z
0 2.0000 1.0000 0.0000
1 3.0000 2.2500 0.2500
2 0.0000 -2.0000 0.0000

 

  • (Move Up) - moves the selected Position up one level.

  • (Move Down) - moves the selected Position down one level.

  • (Delete) - removes the selected Position from the list.

 

Machining Order

 

  • Optimized - the tool movement is reduced in the NC program.

  • Pick Order - outputs the positions in the NC program in the order they were selected for the pattern.

 

Related Topics

How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Array

How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Translate

How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Rotate 2D

How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Rotate 3D

How to Create a Toolpath Pattern - Points

How to Create Multi-Start Threads