3D offset finishing creates a toolpath by creating a series of offsets, starting at the outer boundary and offsetting towards the center. The shape of the offset is defined by pattern curves. To specify the profile curves you want to use as pattern curves, double-click on a profile in the CAM Face window to display the Curve Properties dialog.
3D offset finishing is best-suited to machining areas that require a constant stepover and it works well on near-horizontal surfaces and in the bottom of pockets. It is a robust machining strategy that works well on many models, except for areas that are vertical (or near-vertical).
This strategy supports Boundary and Pattern curves.
The availability of this strategy depends on the machining function you are using.
The 3D Offset finishing strategy is available for the following machining functions:
PartMaker/SwissCAM and PartMaker/Turn-Mill
- Mill XY Plane
- Mill 5-Axis Plane
- Mill ZY Plane
- Mill End, Polar
PartMaker/Mill
- Mill XY Plane
- Mill 5-Axis Plane
- Mill 4-Axis Plane
On the Strategy dialog, the following pages are available for the 3D offset finishing strategy:
- 3D offset finishing —The main page used to define an offset toolpath.
The remaining pages are common toolpath creation controls.