Merging toolpaths

You can merge different calculated toolpaths into one, avoiding the need for the tool to repeatedly return to the Home position when machining them separately.

Merging toolpaths saves machining time, and also reduces wear on cutting tools.

Warning: When a selection of toolpaths has been merged, you cannot ungroup them, or edit the group. You should save the model before merging any toolpaths or select the Preserve original toolpaths option on the Merge Toolpaths panel. This way, if any mistakes are made, you can return to the toolpaths in their original state.

In the following example, you can see the tool movement in three separate toolpaths, each of which uses a 3mm End Mill tool. After all three of the toolpaths have been merged, you can see that the number of rapid moves made between the Home position and the Safe Z level is reduced significantly.

Separate Toolpaths

Merged Toolpath

To merge a selection of toolpaths:

In the Toolpath Operations area of the Toolpaths panel, click the Merge Toolpaths button. This displays the Merge Toolpaths panel.
Ensure only the toolpaths you want to merge are selected:
In the Merging Order area, select the order in which you want the merged toolpaths to be machined:
- As List — Select this option to machine the toolpaths in the order in which they are listed on the panel.
  Note: You can prioritize the toolpaths using and . Select the name of the toolpath in the list that you want to prioritize, followed by the appropriate button to set its position in the list. The toolpath at the top of the list is machined first.
- Automatic — Select this option if you want ArtCAM to calculate the order in which the toolpaths are machined, finding the shortest route between them.
If you want to keep a duplicate copy of the toolpaths in their original state, select Preserve original toolpaths.
In the Name box, enter a name for the merged toolpath.
Click Apply to merge the selected toolpaths into a single toolpath.

Merging toolpaths

See also