First and last leads - strategy

Use the options on the First and last leads page to control the:

Separate first lead in

Separate first lead in — Select this option to specify a different first lead in move. This offer similar functionality as the Lead ins area, but applies it only to the first lead in move.

This example uses a Lead in and Lead out of Surface normal arc.

Choice — Select the type of move to use at the start of the toolpath.

Linear move — Enter the distance to extend the Separate first lead in move before the cutting move starts. The distance is the length of the linear tangential move between the arc and the cutting portion of the toolpath. This option is available only for a Choice of: Surface normal arc, Vertical arc, Horizontal arc, Horizontal arc left, and Horizontal arc right.

Angle — Enter the angle of the Separate first lead in move relative to the first toolpath segment. For arcs, this is the angle spanned by the arc. For lines, it is the orientation relative to the cutting move. This option is available only for a Choice of: Surface normal arc, Vertical arc, Horizontal arc, Horizontal arc left, Horizontal arc right, and Straight.

Radius — Enter the radius of the Separate first lead in arc move. This option is available only for a Choice of: Surface normal arc, Vertical arc, Horizontal arc, Horizontal arc left, and Horizontal arc right.

Length — Enter the length to extend the Separate first lead in move before the cutting move starts. This option is available only for a Choice of: Extended move, Boxed, and Straight.

Ramp Options — Click to display the First Lead in Ramp Options dialog where you can specify how the tool ramps into the stock. This is the same as the Lead in Ramp Options dialog, except there is no 2nd Choice tab. This is available only when you select a Choice of Ramp.

Separate last lead out

Separate last lead out — Select this option to specify a different last lead out move. This offer similar functionality as the Lead outs area, but applies it only to the last lead out move.

This example uses a Lead in and Lead out of Surface normal arc.

Choice — Select the type of move to use at the end of the toolpath.

Linear move — Enter the distance to extend the Last lead out move after the end of the last cutting move. The distance is the length of the linear tangential move between the arc and the cutting portion of the toolpath. This option is available only for a Choice of: Surface normal arc, Vertical arc, Horizontal arc, Horizontal arc left, and Horizontal arc right.

Angle — Enter the angle of the Separate last lead out move relative to the last toolpath segment. For arcs, this is the angle spanned by the arc. For lines, it is the orientation relative to the cutting move. This option is available only for a Choice of: Surface normal arc, Vertical arc, Horizontal arc, Horizontal arc left, Horizontal arc right, and Straight.

Radius — Enter the radius of the Separate last lead out arc move.

Note: This option is available only for a Choice of: Surface normal arc, Vertical arc, Horizontal arc, Horizontal arc left, and Horizontal arc right.

Length — Enter the length to extend the Separate last lead out move after the cutting move finishes. This option is available only for a Choice of: Extended move, Boxed, and Straight.

Ramp Options — Click to display the Last Lead out Ramp Options dialog where you can specify how the tool ramps out of the stock. This is the same as the Lead in Ramp Options dialog, except there is no 2nd Choice tab. This is available only when you select a Choice of Ramp.

Other options

— Click to copy the Separate first lead in values to the Separate last lead out values.

— Click to copy the Separate last lead out values to the Separate first lead in values.

Gouge check — Select this option for PowerMill to gouge-check all leads and links.