Routing Tool

Routing tools often have a ballrace on the end, which is used to guide the tool against the edge of a workpiece. The toolpath produced with a routing tool is similar to a profile or swarf cut. It is generated using a standard end mill with a diameter that matches the position of the actual (or imaginary) ballrace used to guide the tool.

To display the Routing Tool dialog, click Home tab > Tool panel > Create Tool > Routing.

This dialog is the same as the Form Tool dialog, except that there is an additional option of End Mill Diameter, which is the effective diameter that PowerMill uses when creating the toolpath.

You can create a toolpath using a routing tool and then simulate the toolpath to see its effect.

You can create your own routing tools by defining a half-profile of your routing tool in terms of line and arc spans.

PowerMill enables fast and easy construction of accurate and complex tool assemblies by importing a pattern or using the curve editor.

• You can import a tool profile with any shape and in any file format.
• You can create tool profiles using the curve editor.
• You can create tool profiles from arcs, curves, lines, or other .dgk curves.
• You can create tool profiles from patterns.
• The resulting curve does not have to be one single composite curve.
• As long as the geometry contains a valid profile, PowerMill imports the components.
• Tool profiles containing negative Y moves are imported, but the negative moves are ignored.
• Gaps between curves in the tool profile must be less that 10-5 mm.

The tool profile is a polygonised approximation of the input profile.

Toolpaths calculated using a routing tool internally use an end mill with a diameter specified in the End Mill Diameter box. So it is possible for the profile of the routing tool to gouge the part.

Unlike a form tool, a routing tool can be concave.

See Creating a Routing Tool for more information.