Creating a Side feature

To create a Side feature:

1. Click the Features step in the Steps panel.
2. Select Side and click Next to open the New Feature - Curves page. Select a curve from the Curve list. The curve can be a closed loop or an open curve in which the end points do not meet.
3. Click Next to open the New Feature - Machining Side page.
4. Click Next to open the New Feature - Location page. The Z height of the curve is displayed. If you want to offset the feature in Z, specify an Offset value.
5. Click Next to open the New Feature - Dimensions page.

   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.

   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.

   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.

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.

You can edit the feature later.

By default, an outer Side feature uses the stock boundary as the outer extent of the feature. You can limit the extent of the Side cut using a Stock Curve. If the UCS is not parallel to the Stock face, you must use a Stock Curve for Side features.

You can select a Side Curve to describe the shape of the feature's cross-section.