Working with colliding sections

Keep colliding sections of a toolpath that are identified during automatic collision checking. View and correct colliding sections.

During automatic collision checking, if PowerMill detects a collision between the part and the shank or holder, the colliding sections of the toolpath are automatically deleted. This makes the toolpath safe but incomplete.

Keep the colliding sections to examine them in the graphic window, and attempt to correct them manually. The colliding sections displayed on the toolpath update automatically in response to edits made to the tool or toolpath.

To keep colliding sections during automatic collision checking

1. Create a toolpath.
2. In the Automatic verification page of the toolpath's Strategy dialog, select Automatic collision checking.
3. Select Keep colliding sections.
4. Complete the dialog.
5. Click Calculate.
6. Click Close.

To view colliding sections in the graphics window

1. In the Explorer, activate the toolpath.
2. Click Toolpath tab > Draw panel > Display > Colliding Sections.

To examine and modify colliding sections

1. In the Explorer, activate the toolpath.
2. Click Home tab > Verification panel > Colliding Sections.
3. Use the Colliding Toolpath Sections dialog to interact with the colliding sections of the toolpath:
   • To position the tool in the graphics window at the start of a colliding section, double-click a section in the Cutting Moves, Lead ins/outs, or Links lists.
   • To delete a colliding section, choose a section in the Cutting Moves list, and then click .
   • To create a toolpath containing only non-colliding sections and a toolpath containing only colliding sections, click . The active toolpath is preserved.
   • To update the properties of the lead in, lead out, and links of the toolpath, click .

Tip: Use the features on the Simulation tab to examine the colliding sections, and use Toolpath Edit tab > Dynamic Machine Control to edit the tool axis to help avoid collisions.