Use the Advanced Tool Entry dialog to specify how the tool plunges into the material at the beginning of a cut when using an Advanced Milling toolpath.
To display the Advanced Tool Entry dialog:
- Ensure the Advanced Milling Toolpath option is selected on the Profile Group Parameters dialog.
- Click the Advanced Tool Entry button on the Profile Group Parameters dialog.
The following settings are available:
Advanced Tool Entry — Select how the tool plunges into the material:
- Vertical — The tool plunges vertically into the material in a straight line.
- Follow Circle — The tool ramps into the material in a helical motion. The helix is created by breaking the arc into many small lines. To control the dimensions of the 3D linear moves that are created, use the Arc Tolerance value in the Defaults for Milling dialog. PartMaker uses this default value to set the Arc Output Options in the Face Options dialog, which you can access from the Setup dialog.
- Follow Line — The tool ramps into the material in a linear motion.
- Follow Toolpath — The tool ramps into the material following the programmed toolpath. Arcs are broken into small straight lines based on the Arc Tolerance value in the Defaults for Milling dialog. PartMaker uses this default value to set the Arc Output Options in the Face Options dialog, which you can access from the Setup dialog.
Circle Diameter — This field is enabled only when Follow Circle is selected as the tool entry type. It sets the diameter of the helix generated during the helical motion.
Max Angle — This is the maximum angle in degrees between the ramped toolpath and the Face plane. PartMaker uses this value when Follow Circle, Follow Line, or Follow Toolpath is selected as the type of tool entry.
Length — This sets the length of the linear move generated. Set the length to be greater than the tool diameter to allow clearing of material from underneath the tool.