Use the Multiple cuts page to enable multiple profiling paths.
Mode —Select a mode to determine how the multiple passes are created.
- Off — Creates a single profiling path.
- Offset Down — Offsets the top profile, moving down. (The top profile is the pattern moved up the tool axis by the upper limit.)
- Offset Up — Offsets the bottom profile, moving up. (The bottom profile is the pattern projected onto the model.)
- Offset Merge — Offsets the top and bottom profiles, merging from one to the other.
Order by — Select whether machining takes place by Region or by Level.
- Region — When selected, one region (such as a pocket or boss) is completely machined before going on to the next. So, pockets are machined in preference to levels.
- Level —When selected, one level is completely machined before going down to the next. So, levels are machined in preference to pockets.
Maximum stepdown — Enter the maximum distance between successive passes. This option is not available if the Mode on the Multiple cuts page is set to Off.
Upper limit — Select this option to specify an upper limit for the toolpath (that is, how far the toolpath can be raised). Above this limit, the toolpath segments are removed.
Upper limit value — Enter the distance above the surface of the highest segment. This is available only if Upper limit is selected.
Setting the lowest position of the machining pass
The way in which PartMaker determines the lowest position of the machining pass depends on whether you are using a standard 3-axis toolpath or a multi-axis (4- or 5-axis simultaneous) toolpath:
When using a 3-axis toolpath:
- If there are no multiple cuts (Mode is set to Off), PartMaker sets the lowest position of the machining pass by dropping the tool onto the part. It drops the tool:
- Down the tool axis for the Mill Cylinder machining function (this is equivalent to selecting Automatic as the Base position on the main Pattern finishing page.)
- Down the Z axis for all other machining functions (this is equivalent to selecting the Drop option as the Base position on the main Pattern finishing page.)
- If there are multiple cuts (Mode is set to a value other than Off), the toolpath follows the pattern (this is equivalent to selecting the Drive curve option as the Base position on the main Pattern finishing page.)
When using a multi-axis toolpath, PartMaker determines the lowest position of the machining pass using the Base position option selected on the main Pattern finishing page.