PowerMill Toolpath Group Parameters dialog (PartMaker)

Use the PowerMill Toolpath Group Parameters dialog to set parameters for a profile group that has been created from a toolpath imported from PowerMill.

To display this dialog, in the Job Explorer double-click on a profile group that has been created from a toolpath imported from PowerMill.

The following settings are available:

Strategy — This is the PowerMill strategy of the imported toolpath.

Tool Diameter (d) — Enter the tool diameter for the operation.

Tool ID — This field displays the ID of the selected tool.

Toolpath Type — The toolpath type indicates how PartMaker will machine the imported toolpath. This depends on the axis of the tool in the toolpath, as programmed in PowerMill. You can select from the following toolpath types:

• 5 Axis Simultaneous — If selected, PartMaker machines the part in a 5-axis simultaneous style, with the tool moving in X, Y and Z, the stock rotating about Z axis and the tool-head rotating about the B axis. This type of machining is used for PowerMill toolpaths programmed with the Tool Axis set to Automatic.
• 4 Axis Simultaneous — If selected, PartMaker machines the part in a 4-axis simultaneous style, with the tool moving in X, Y and Z, the stock rotating about Z axis and the tool-head fixed at a particular angle with respect to the B axis.

  This toolpath type is not supported in PartMaker/Mill.

• 3 + 2 Axis — If selected, PartMaker machines the part in a 3 + 2 axis style, with the tool moving in X, Y and Z while inclined at a constant B axis angle. There is no stock rotation during machining. This type of machining is used for PowerMill toolpaths programmed with the Tool Axis set to Vertical and the workplane not coinciding with the XY plane.
• 3 Axis — PartMaker machines the part with the tool always along the Z axis and in the XY plane. This type of machining is used for PowerMill toolpaths programmed with the workplane corresponding to the XY plane with the Tool Axis set to Vertical. You can select from two different sub-styles:
  • 3 Axis, X Y Z style — If selected, the tool moves in X, Y and Z and the stock does not rotate.
  • 3 Axis, X C Z style — If selected, the tool moves in X and Z and the stock rotates about the Z axis.

  This toolpath type is not supported in PartMaker/Mill.

No. of moves in Toolpath — This displays the number of moves in the toolpath.

Group Name — Enter the name of the group.

Select Tools — Click to open the Select Tool dialog, where you can select a tool of the required diameter, for the operation.