Creating a Pocket feature

To create a Pocket feature:

1. Click the Features step in the Steps panel.

   This displays the New Feature wizard.

2. Select Pocket and then click Next to open the New Feature - Curves page. You can use one curve for the boundary, or if you have multiple pockets that have the same depth, you can select multiple curves. Press and hold the Ctrl key while you select the curves with the mouse to select multiple curves.
3. Click Next to open the New Feature - Location page. The Location page shows you the Z height of the curve. Enter an offset value if you want to change the height of the pocket.
4. Click Next to open the New Feature - Dimensions page.
5. If a dimension field has a blue label, you can click it and 'pick' the dimension from objects in the graphics window.
   • Depth — Enter the distance cut into the material in Z.
   • Draft angle — Optionally set an angle for the feature wall. Use only positive numbers.
   • Chamfer — Optionally enter the depth of a 45 chamfer cut at the top edge of the feature. Leave this value at the default, 0, for no chamfer.
   • Bottom Radius — Optionally set a bottom radius for the feature. The radius corresponds to the shape of the cutter. By default, the material is milled using a flat-bottomed mill, making stair-step passes when close to the radius. Then a rough and finishing pass is made with the radiused mill. The default value is 0, which cuts a square corner.
6. Click Next to open the New Feature - Strategies page.
7. Click Next to open the New Feature - Operations page.
8. Click Next to open the New Feature - Default Tool page for the first operation.
9. Click Next to open the New Feature - Feed/Speed page for the first operation.
10. If you have more than one operation, clicking Next opens the New Feature - Default Tool page for the next operation. If you have no more operations, clicking Next opens the New Feature - Summary page.
11. Click Finish to create the feature and exit the wizard or click Back to return to previous pages.

If you need to specify Islands for the pocket or a different cross section for the walls:

Islands are regions left uncut with a pocket. Island curves must be contained within the boundary curve and they cannot touch or overlap. Clicking Islands opens the Select Islands dialog. There are a number of methods of selecting curves in the select curve dialog box. To remove all of the islands from a pocket, click Unselect All.

1. After you have created the feature, open the Feature Properties dialog and click the Dimensions tab.
2. On the Dimensions tab, you can:
   • Set boundaries, defined by curves, that are not milled with the rest of the pocket.
   • Click X section to enter a cross section curve for the feature.
3. Click OK.