PowerMill 2022 known issues

The known issues in PowerMill 2022.

Parameter name changes
The parameter for controlling the ordering within Steep and Shallow Finishing toolpaths is now called SteepShallowOrderPriority, replacing the parameter InterConstzOrder. Although old projects will be read in correctly automatically, regrettably, macros that refer to the old parameter will require updating: EDIT PAR 'InterConstzOrder' 'combined' should become EDIT PAR 'SteepShallowOrderPriority' ‘top_first’ EDIT PAR 'InterConstzOrder' 'constz’ should become EDIT PAR 'SteepShallowOrderPriority' 'steep_first'

Parameter name changes

The parameter for controlling the ordering within Steep and Shallow Finishing toolpaths is now called SteepShallowOrderPriority, replacing the parameter InterConstzOrder. Although old projects will be read in correctly automatically, regrettably, macros that refer to the old parameter will require updating:
EDIT PAR 'InterConstzOrder' 'combined' should become EDIT PAR 'SteepShallowOrderPriority' ‘top_first’
EDIT PAR 'InterConstzOrder' 'constz’ should become EDIT PAR 'SteepShallowOrderPriority' 'steep_first'

Increased toolpath calculation time
The Offset and Raster Flat Finishing strategies now create more accurate final cutting segments. The Constant Z Finishing strategy also benefits from this enhancement when Machine Down to Flats is switched on. This improvement is designed to produce a smoother, more accurate surface finish. However, in some cases, this improvement increases the calculation time. We intend to focus our attention on reducing the calculation time for these strategies in a future update, while preserving the improved toolpath quality that you should experience in this release. PMILL-15341 Note: Improvements have been made in PowerMill 2022.0.1 update.
In some cases the time taken to calculate 3D Offset Finishing toolpaths has increased significantly compared to PowerMill 2021.1. This is a side effect of changes to improve the ordering of moves within a toolpath. We are working to correct this. PMILL-15414 Note: Improvements have been made in PowerMill 2022.0.2 update. The calculation time increase is much reduced compared to PowerMill 2022 and PowerMill 2022.0.1 but work to make further improvements continues.

Increased toolpath calculation time

The Offset and Raster Flat Finishing strategies now create more accurate final cutting segments. The Constant Z Finishing strategy also benefits from this enhancement when Machine Down to Flats is switched on. This improvement is designed to produce a smoother, more accurate surface finish. However, in some cases, this improvement increases the calculation time. We intend to focus our attention on reducing the calculation time for these strategies in a future update, while preserving the improved toolpath quality that you should experience in this release. PMILL-15341
Note: Improvements have been made in PowerMill 2022.0.1 update.

In some cases the time taken to calculate 3D Offset Finishing toolpaths has increased significantly compared to PowerMill 2021.1. This is a side effect of changes to improve the ordering of moves within a toolpath. We are working to correct this. PMILL-15414
Note: Improvements have been made in PowerMill 2022.0.2 update. The calculation time increase is much reduced compared to PowerMill 2022 and PowerMill 2022.0.1 but work to make further improvements continues.

Toolpaths
In some cases Rest Area Clearance toolpaths are incomplete when a stock model is used as a reference. We are investigating. PMILL-15796, PMILL-15854, PMILL-15839
On Flat Slice Area Clearance toolpaths with multiple cuts, the toolpath is often missing the final profile pass on all the multiples of the base flat slices, when using the Raster style. When using the Offset Model style, the toolpath will sometimes fail to offset from part of the model on the multiples of the base flats. To work around this issue: Use Model Area Clearance instead of Slice Area Clearance. Set the Stepdown to 0.0. Set the Flat Machining parameters as you normally would. PMILL-15795 Note: Fixed in PowerMill 2022.0.2 update.

Toolpaths

In some cases Rest Area Clearance toolpaths are incomplete when a stock model is used as a reference. We are investigating. PMILL-15796, PMILL-15854, PMILL-15839

On Flat Slice Area Clearance toolpaths with multiple cuts, the toolpath is often missing the final profile pass on all the multiples of the base flat slices, when using the Raster style. When using the Offset Model style, the toolpath will sometimes fail to offset from part of the model on the multiples of the base flats.
To work around this issue:

Use Model Area Clearance instead of Slice Area Clearance.
Set the Stepdown to 0.0.
Set the Flat Machining parameters as you normally would.

PMILL-15795
Note: Fixed in PowerMill 2022.0.2 update.