In the Tools List area, you can select the tools you want to use, select a strategy and choose whether you want to include Ramping Moves in the toolpath calculation:
- Tools List — The
Tools List window displays all the selected tools. Click
Add to display the
Tool Database dialog and select a tool.
In the Tools and Groups window, select the tool you want to use. Information about the tool is displayed in the Tool / Group Description area of the dialog. Click Select to close the dialog and return to the 2D Area Clearance panel.
The name of the selected tool is displayed in the Tools List window. Below the Tools List area, the selected tool's machining parameters and the Tool Clearance Strategy area is displayed.
To add another tool, click the Add button again and select another tool from the Tool Database. To remove a tool, select the tool from the Tools List window and click Remove.
- Tool Clearance Strategy — Select the tool for which you want to set the clearance strategy. You must select a separate tool clearance strategy for each tool in the
Tools List window.
- Raster — This strategy machines in passes back and forth along the X-axis at a specified angle. If you select this strategy, enter the angle at which you want the tool to move in the
Angle box.
Raster angle of 0
Raster angle of 36
Tip: You can set the default raster angle using the Options panel. - Offset — This strategy machines in repeated passes, each time moving inwards by the selected tool's
Stepover value. You can see the stepover value of the selected tool when its machining parameters are displayed.
Select a Cut direction option:
Climb mill — Select the option to rotate the cutter in the same direction as the feed motion. The option is selected by default.
Conventional — Select the option to rotate the cutter in the opposite direction to the feed motion.
Select a Start point option:
Outside — Select this option if you want the tool to cut into the material at the vector's boundary, then machine inwards.
Inside — Select this option if you want the tool to cut into the material at the vector's centre, then machine outwards.
Tip: You can set the default offset start point in the Options panel. - Independent finish depth — Select if you want the selected tool to cut to a different depth than that displayed in the first Finish Depth box. Enter the final depth (Z) for the selected tool in the Finish Depth box.
- Raster — This strategy machines in passes back and forth along the X-axis at a specified angle. If you select this strategy, enter the angle at which you want the tool to move in the
Angle box.
- Add Ramping Moves — Select the check box to add ramping moves to the toolpath. This displays the ramping settings. All of the ramping move settings are selected by default. Deselect any of the settings you do not require. The boxes for the deselected options are unavailable.
- Max Ramp Angle (A) — Enter the maximum angle of descent for each zig and zag movement of the tools.
- Max Ramp Length (L) — Enter the maximum distance that you want the tools to zigzag across the material surface.
- Min Ramp Length (Lmin) — Enter the minimum distance that you want the tools to zigzag across the material surface.
- Zig Start Height (S) — Enter the height at which the ramping moves start.
Note: If you do not select the Zig Start Height (S) option, the Safe Z level specified in the Machine Safe Z area is used instead.