Lead in controls the movement of the tool as it approaches the stock, before beginning a cutting move. The settings in this page are not available for Vortex toolpaths.
This page contains the following:
Choice — Select the type of move to use before each cutting move.
Linear move — Enter the length to extend the 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 Lead in move relative to the 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 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 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
Lead in Ramp Options dialog. This determines how the tool ramps into the stock. This option is available only for a
Choice of
Ramp.
Apply constraints — Select this option to apply constraints to your leads and then select a constraint from the list. Selecting a constraint from the list creates an additional field to apply further constraints. 1st choice and 2nd choice links have a maximum of 2 constraints. If more than one constraint is selected they must all be satisfied for a link to be applied.
To apply constraints:
Select a constraint type from the list:
- Distance — Constrain the link by its distance spanned.
- Surface slope — Constrain the link by the slope angle of the surface at either end of the link.
Select an option from the list to define the constraint limit:
-
— The constraint is satisfied if the parameter is less than the specified value.
-
— The constraint is satisfied if the parameter is greater than the specified value.
Enter the constraint value.
— Click to copy the
Lead in values to the
Lead out page.
— Click to copy the
Lead out values to the
Lead in page.
Gouge check — Select this option for PowerMill to gouge-check all leads and links.